His Wife, By Contract

d like stars under light. It clung to her curves with elegance, its high slit revealing just enough leg to h

he bel

wed identity. The diamond earrings-on loan from a high-end boutique Adrian's assistant ar

e Founda

is public life on full di

said behind her as he entere

it had been poured onto his body, every stitch sharp and i

," she replied. "Expensive and

ment. "You won't shatte

afety word in case one of your socialites c

. "Don't underesti

ment forming between them: tonight, they

would play the

-

andeliers hung like frozen waterfalls above a sea of black tuxedos and gleaming

d on Adrian's a

he whispers

t's

new w

g but... not w

and Clara gave him a brief, sardo

voice low," he murmured. "They'll

hin. "Good thing I

board members, politicians, artists, and business magnates. Clara

n-until Miranda

gold. The kind of woman who knew how

toward them with the

ng from Clara to Adrian and back.

ody tensed

ly. "Married in secret, I hear. H

er eyes. "Some weddings don't need

agne. "Of course. And Adrian h

ped. "Miranda, if you came to cause a sc

ed eyebrow. "You always wer

a bl

se

curiosity. "And what do you do, darling

hen I'm not doing that, I endure parties where the

Miranda's f

ooked...

narrowing. "Enjoy the evening. And don't worr

ed away, hi

ed. "She's

ion hardened. "S

fian

n't de

orcing lightness into her voice.

ement. We both understood

le to stop herself. "Anot

didn't

-

her smile in place, fingers glued to the stem of her champagne glass. She

t into the limo afterw

ian. "You could've

think sh

get the memo that

r, eyes dark. "It's

y? Then w

I'm managing quite well-until

might I add. Or did you expect me to just sm

lenched. "She

of your past and still

ly. "You agreed to

spect me. So far, you

in front of th

with this role, Clara, say it now. I'll pay

ing. "I don't struggle with t

lara stepped out and marched up the stairs, heel

-

in her robe on the balcony, cold air brushin

e door creak

you're here to fight,

Adrian sa

felt his presence besi

ned you about Mi

emained

"It was convenience. Business. But she wan

t him now. "W

e way she thought she could fix." He

. "You think I

too empathetic f

ood in

ian," Clara said at la

or a moment, the air

ed back. "We have brunch with the foun

that, the wall

ad cracked. And

e cold. A flicker of

e