'S

ittings, press briefings, and carefully stage

o

as far less

ractually bound to marry, was a st

scandals, his impossible standards, but be

nd I had

final rehearsal at the esta

s he gestured towa

to talk,"

time he'd spoken di

den dusk, the air between u

e railing, looking o

prepared for to

par

to pretend to be madly in love with a man I

ed to mine. Co

ch about perception as it

our role flawlessly. P

awa

act li

sed my

ther with a marriage if you're so emotion

dn't

said. "I need complian

marrying me g

hink you're a risk

hing so eerily sterile about the wa

to leave,

Family only. Be ready at

, leaving me standing there, frustrated

er was a

the sort of practiced condescension only w

bout my past. Even the staff

the head of the table, speaking

er wine. "Tell me, how does it feel

, I'm just trying not

s drink. I conside

avernous room filled with leather, bound bo

t armchair, closed

ce was

pon of choice," came Ethan

my eyes. "Only

of his presence unsettling. "You hand

had pr

ask what

a while, the air bet

something I d

like this

ked a

one who initiate

ns that are none

why sa

kshelf, ran his fing

nesty might be the on

lin

is a t

d respond, he

ement photos, and endured endless fittings. Every moment was staged,

n to speak

my childhood, my interests, the s

red cau

udged. Nev

lis

ticed our first da

sic from a speaker as I

stiff,"

mug," I s

rked.

st, his breath near my temple. And for

elt

re

pped

er," I lied

e the wedding,

robe, staring at the moonlight

was a

ithout waiting

ed tire

say somethi

sed a

't what you want

e it through. Together.

oat ti

really doing

pa

t buy. And you, Ava Monroe, are the only

t afte

od there,

e I feared

ared I might sta