Contract Of Hearts

nd here. Init

reached her eyes-slid document after document across the polished conference tabl

, his ruthless business tactics, his carefully guarded private life. Three days of arguing with hersel

erile conference room, selling hers

other document. "It stipulates that you receive five million pounds upon co

vered. "And if

financial forfeiture to full repayment of all expenditures

y on his tablet, though Ellie felt his awareness of her every movement. He hadn'

ior. Mandatory residence in his Kensington penthouse. The expected script of their romance-a whirlwind courtship after meet

plicitly stated separate bedrooms and no physical expect

nger trembled. She'd cried her tears. Now she woul

llecting souls for Satan. "The wedding is scheduled for Friday at four. Private c

tared. "That's tw

ing his tablet. The Harrington dinner is next Saturday.

including appointments for wardrobe, styling, and media t

see my moth

n." The cover story of our engagement has been shared with her care f

ned every detail. Ellie wondered if he sche

e?" she asked, surprising

erceptible nod. The lawyers filed out, leaving Ellie alone

cool detachment. "Having s

ing to play a role in public. To live in your home. To follow reasonable requ

yes-irritation or possibly amusement. "

ts me like a produ

noticed before-a man accustomed to armor. "My wife must present a certain image. "Yo

her simple blouse and skirt, her minimal makeup, her unadorne

border on obsessive

oor, conversation clearly over in his mind. The stylist

if I

e, Ms. Wright. Your mother's new treatment begins Monday. Wright Publishing's debts ar

een them, all the more chilling

nd," she sa

ame out this evening. From this moment forward, you are associate

he lingering scent of his expensive co

what felt like her last moments of freedom. Tomorrow the whirlwind will begin-the transform

s it true? "The rumor mill says "Blackwood

t Publishing will know their boss has sold herself

med for 8AM tomorrow. Professional attire required. -Dan

tarting

ed up while she is with her mother tomorrow-another line item in the contract. By tomorrow night, she will be ins

rmal life continued all around her while her own had been hijacked. Had she really agreed to thi

s revealed glimpses of somethi

er's care. Losing her father's legacy. Twenty-

g on her own terms. Sacrificing h

ut soon, making this surreal nightmare official. She should call her m

, her phone rang-the

el

ntly recognizable. "There was a change of plan

t? W

ed matters. We need to a

Ellie's head spun wi

couldn't quite interpret. "He spoke to the press

m not p

Wright. We'll discu

d before she coul

ere apparently about to make their society debut. Whatever game Alexander Blackw

ed. A complication severe enough to disrupt

wondered what she'd gotten herself into-and whether any amount of money was