nor
City Hall. The air was crisp, the sky a brilliant, cloudless blue. It felt lik
vercoat, but he stood out from the crowd like a wolf among sheep. Beside him was
as I approached. He gave a c
ribs. I smoothed down the front of my cream-col
ard with a polite smile that didn't reach his e
of other couples waiting to be married. He opene
is the postnuptial," he said, handing them t
It was standard for people of his wealth: all pre-existing assets remained s
al agreement, the contract th
ay. Upon its conclusion, a no-fault
attending corporate and social functions as required. I was to p
esources of Apex Holdings to assist me in gaining controlling
han I had dared to hope for. It was a concrete
e of our marriage was to remain an absolute secret. To
than fair. They were
id, looking up from the pap
unsurprised, and handed me a
e stroke of the pen felt momentous, the ink sealing my fate.
his signature a bold, de
that felt hollow and strange on my tongue. He slid a simple,
ate and pushed it across the counter. "
Legally, I
ght morning sun, the certi
ediately," Alaric said, his
at him,
ne all business. "Initiate a preliminary asset valuation of Northwood Enterprises. And begin
arles," a voice rep
step. Let your father know his company
htaking. For the first time, I truly believed that cont
word of gratitude es
me that deep, searching look aga
to my estate today. And you will begi
ing the words h
care of my da
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