Chapter Four

Five years ago, I hurt Veronica. In ways that she could never imagine. I had broken every promise I made to her during our frequent lovemaking.

"I hate you, Bryn." She had said to me. "I hate you for leaving me when I need you the most."

She was going through a terrible phase in her life when I added to her pain. Her father had abandoned them, and she had no one to turn to. No one except me. But I broke her even more.

It was only two weeks after the breakup that I heard about what had happened to her family. I was filled with regret and guilt.

I tried to reach out, but she completely shut me out of her life. So it was a shock to me when Aria disclosed she was interested in the deal.

My heart warned me aggressively. My mind tried to tell me that Veronica was not to be trusted.

And yet.

I trusted her. Those sapphire eyes radiated determination and fairness. Her assurance meant something.

After a year, I knew she'd walk away without looking back or wanting more money. But that would only happen if I played my part.

In a steady rhythm, one cherry red fingernail tapped the table's edge as she read the contract.

She raised her head. I was perplexed as to why her skin had turned pale after she had appeared flushed and healthy just moments before.

"I can see that you have some specific qualities you desire." She said, relaxing back on her chair. "I will not bend to your rules."

I swallowed and cleared my throat. "These are just a few characteristics I want my wife to have."

"You want a robot you can control and throw away like thrash after a year."

I inhaled deeply. "You're overstating things. I'm not a monster just because I want to marry someone with grace and business sense."

She snorted. "You want a sexy wife, but without the sex. "Have you not learned anything about women since the age of fourteen?"

"I learned a lot. That's why Uncle Albert had to force me into marriage- an institution that benefits only women."

She exclaimed. "Marriage benefits men greatly!"

"Wow, like what?"

"Consistent sex and companionship."

"The headaches start after six months, and you bore each other to tears."

"Someone with whom to grow old."

"Men don't want to get old. That is why they continue to seek out younger women and leave their old partners." I knew I shouldn't have said that when I saw the look on her face.

Her mouth opened wide. She snapped it shut with one swift motion. "Children, a family, someone who loves you in sickness and health."

"Someone who wastes your money nags you every night and complains about cleaning up your mess. That's what women have to offer."

"You're ill."

"You're delusional."

She shook her head, causing her silky black curls to lift and settle around her face. Her skin was flushed once more. "God, your parents messed you up," she grumbled. "I can't believe I once loved you."

"Well, I suppose so. I also can't believe I almost believed in true love."

"What if I don't fit into all of these boxes? What if I can't be the perfect wife you want?"

"We'll look into it."

Her pupils constricted, and she bit her lower lip. I remembered the first time I kissed her when I was seventeen.

My lips had pressed against hers, sensing her trembling. My fingers lightly caressed her shoulders' bare skin.

Then she smiled and said she loved me. That she desired to marry me.

Her marriage remark had been sweet and tempting in a way that terrified me. Even when I was seventeen, I knew that no relationship could ever be beautiful—they all ended in disaster.

At twenty-two, when we shared a bed every night and had sex till we collapsed on each other, I still couldn't forget that day.

She brought back my fears when she whispered in my ears one night that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. It was at that moment I knew I had to end it.

I shook off the memory and focused on the present moment. "Why don't you tell me what you want from this marriage?"

"Six hundred thousand dollars. Cash. "In the beginning, not at the end of the year."

I leaned in closer, intrigued. "That's a lot of money. Gambling debts?”

An invisible barrier erupted between us. “No.”

"Shopping trip?"

Her eyes glowed with rage. "It's none of your concern. Part of the agreement is that you don't ask me any questions about the money or how I plan to spend it."

"Is there anything else?"

"Can you tell me where we live?"

"We'll live in my house."

"I'm not going to give up my apartment. I will not share your house with you."

Surprise washed over me. "As my wife, you'll need to be seen with me at all times. You'll be given a stipend and have access to my personal shopper."

"I'm going to wear whatever I want, whenever I want, and pay my own damn way. And it's a contract, we don't have to be love birds."

I suppressed a frown. "You'll entertain my business associates. I have a big deal on the line, so you must get along with the other wives."

"I can try laughing at their stupid jokes. But I need to be able to run my own business and have a social life. No one will control me."

"Of course," I said. "I will not stop you from maintaining your personal lifestyle. But we need to work together as a team."

Her eyes narrowed. "I have some issues with this list."

"I'm a versatile person. I can make changes to suit you."

"I'm very close to my family, and they'll need a compelling reason to believe I'm suddenly marrying someone like you."

"Just tell them we met after all these years and decided to marry."

.

"They're not allowed to know about this arrangement, so they need to believe we're madly in love. You must attend dinner for us to make the announcement. And it must be persuasive."

I remembered her father abandoning her family. "Do you still talk to your father?"

“Yes.”

"You used to despise him."

"He apologized. I decided to forgive. Some of us still have our hearts with us." Again, she was directing those words to me. "My brother and sister-in-law, niece, and twins all live with my parents. They'll bombard you with questions, and you'll have to be convincing."

I scowled. "I despise complications."

"Bad luck. That's part of the package."

“Fine. "Is there anything else?"

“Yeah. "I'm getting a real wedding."

My pupils constricted. "An office of justice of the peace will do."

"I want a white wedding dress and a warm wedding with my family and Aria as maid of honor."

"I despise weddings."

"I know. You have made your list, and now, I'm telling you mine."

"Veronica, I'm marrying you for business reasons."

"Believe me, I'm not thrilled about marrying you either. But this is what I want to happen. It's your decision if you want this to work out."

My brow furrowed, but I managed a nod. “Fine.” My tone was tinged with sarcasm. "Is there anything else? Should we proceed with the plans for the wedding?"

She gave me a nervous look before rising from her chair and pacing around the room. What was she thinking about? Could she really have a plot in her mind? Was there another thing she wanted out of the wedding?

My last reasonable thought slipped through my mind.

"Cancel the deal or find another person. This woman will flip your life upside down, even though you deserve it. She will make your life hell, and she will enjoy it." My mind echoed with thoughts.

I fought the surge of fear and waited for her response. My heart desired Veronica, but my mind didn't.