in the news, yes-but no one really knew who her husband was. Michael had never taken her out, never

discussing something ordinary. "Name your price, get your money, and marry him. He's doing we

silent for a mome

ded...

temp

er. Once she had that, she could leave. Divorce wouldn't be a pr

There was no stable future waiting for her, not like this. Her father struggled enough already,

ond, she consid

stopped

knew what

uld r

strong the way he always had. But this wasn't ju

took a s

. "I'll do it. But if the marriage doesn't work out, we get a divorce.

s her c

ure, and walk away if things went wrong,

ed by this woman? Wealt

efinitely

hat didn't mak

le forming on her lips. Without saying another

here soon,

eart began to

dn't k

weight of what she

s it w

.. someth

er, a car pulled u

instinctively, her body goi

he step

she forgot h

a

l-b

essly c

thing commanding, something cold-th

e someone who need

looked like a ma

was he

voice was deep, smooth, and carried

I found someone for you. She'll make a good

s gaze towar

no warmth

.. and something c

Charlotte more cert

o

n this marriage wouldn't l

atter of time before he asked her to leave, or file f

is grandmother, his

lans to fix things..

sitation, he said, "A

blinked in

was

like

ons. No a

agr

amed, clearl

aste time," she sa

r, they were inside

o process anything before h

i

iel

ip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt-but en

art sk

r until they stood

id he relea

anitizer and cleaned his hands cal

watched hi

oga

as she e

son... she didn'

she found it

ts were han

eets.

y, making sure nothing was hidden or

ately after, wit

st lik

as d

as ma

ai

pulled out a key, handing it

he said. "You can move in today or tomorrow. D

ded slightly.

was

trodu

nvers

emo

d and wa

mother was already

ut the moment

hter-in-law?" sh

casually. "She'll move in

instantly, satisfactio

go inside, but

are you

her with us,

ngs first," he said calmly

g to argue, but eventually, s

sion. It was only natural she neede

eturned to the car, excited sh

ey drove off, hit