Vows of Convenience, Hearts of Fire

estate. Gold-trimmed china rested atop a polished mahogany table, glinting under the crystal chandelier. Everything about

he said slowly, voi

-folded his hands with composure. Beside him sat Clarisse Lemaire, graceful and unbothere

er glass down. "It's been decided. You and Elar

sement flickering over the fury in

plied coolly. "This isn't a requ

d over the table, tailored suit pristine even as tension radiated off him

smiling vaguely. "Polite, intelligent.

Asher snapped. "This is absurd. We're in the 2

e. It's about responsibility. The Lemaire n

d through his dark hair. "So this is business. Not love. No

women and your obsession with autonomy. We allowed you your freedom. You built

f I sa

olve the trust. You'll be cut off from the Lemaire inherita

it was.

agile in the eyes of the board, still dependent on the capital that

, jaw tight, f

ove her," Clarisse added g

d cold. "You're not asking me a

-clad. "Do what needs to be

****************

ily's estate. The air smelled of lavender and lemon, her mother's favorite. Her soft curls were pinne

Wren, said carefully. "We

setting down

. been an arrangement made.

n, brow furrowing.

ed his throat. "A marriage. B

tween them as though th

sorry

livering things Elara wouldn't like. "We've agreed on a three-year contr

ising from her seat. "You're ma

stily. "You're free to walk away af

ut in. "You'r

we live in. These things matter-names, alliances, appearance

Elara interrupted bitterly. "The

Days

ty-just a judge, two lawyers, and tw

knees and screamed "sensible," her hands clutched tightly in her la

osed CEO in black slacks and a navy blazer, but ther

nusual setup, but not illegal. Three-year term, renewable or dissolvable by mutua

. "Do you bo

ted. She loo

n't lo

y both sai

apers, and stood. "Congratulat

avel felt like th

the Co

er his eyes, elbow brushing Elara's as they walked together for the pho

" he mu

k my mouth wo

it out. They're alrea

mannequin. He did the same, their bodies cl

waiting car, silence fell

utes, she said,

sidelong glanc

her

undaries. I don't plan t

akes tw

plicated. We can live in separate wings of the penthouse

to her, unreada

the courthouse, Elara looked

n she didn't love, didn't even lik

knew-this was o