His Wife, By Contract

ross her lap like a dangerous puzzle. The paper smelled of wealth a

on: Si

total, half up front, half

ment: Adrian W

vents, including galas, press f

red; "Public affection as d

ate with breach, no

real. Unbelievably

and unaware of the decision clawing at her chest. Her brother's latest hospita

hed for

said when Mrs.

-

skyscraper loomed like a titan, its black facade swallowing sunlight. Peop

a smudge on

Hughes greeted her with a thin smil

ned contract in her tote like i

is presence shifted the air, commanding, cold. He didn't sit. J

rything?"

ra replied

gre

t y

he handed it to him. His eyes

your end?" he aske

ed her arms

d at her. "I

s may be fake, but I'm still a

sed through Adrian's gaze-

id. "Respect.

ed the contract, st

ou are now legally engaged to b

nked. "Th

. "We'll hold a private ceremony at

e of her cheek. "

nig

ould... I don't know, get to know each

rian replied flatly. "I'

grabbing her coat. "Th

-

e stared up at the mansion, stunned. It wasn't just large-it was obscene. Gated, scul

re she could knock. "Miss Eva

lding. Velvet drapes, abstract art, a chandelier that looked like it bel

, shirt sleeves rolled, tie loosened. He looked l

ready,"

e tour?" s

tly. "You'll le

it made her throat tighten. Her bed at home had squeaked ev

lara sat on the edge and pr

ad she

-

o many forks and too few words. Adrian sat across

new wardrobe,"

wned. "Ex

on. My fiancée can't wear

00, actually. And maybe I d

o like it. You ju

e something clear. I may be broke, but

wn six months of your time. And if you m

I hope the ste

ithout ano

-

at the city lights from a mansion that didn't feel like hers. S

the door c

stood there, his ex

to apo

don't strike me as t

need this to w

dded s

ell her what you like. You don't need to pretend to be s

ice was so

r. He looked away.

whispered, "Good