Mrs. Vale by Contract

d in front of a quiet glass b

t looked up.

no

way, p

to an office, knocked onc

ed. He signed the final page of a d

dle

id Louis ra

it

on the desk and slid it t

ned. "Are

one y

him. "I won'

back. "Don't

owards the fo

first page was a marriage contrac

en required. Travel and event attendance when necessary. All personal expenses covered by Lo

ere were clauses covering

u really expect so

es

't even

ow en

o interest in becoming your wife."

second folder. He slid it towards her

frow

ea

helping her into Louis's suite, a picture of her asleep on

page. A report about her father's miscondu

records. Treatment his

pital's discounted patient care programme. Her mother's eligibility. The cost of treatmen

sharply. "How di

the hos

st tigh

read

ther page. Family profile

ver had much patience for a woman who

lder shut. "My mothe

glare. "That's

o right to

" His fingers tapped the medical records once. "What mat

stared

so assign a private nurse to her care

breath

f you becom

is jacket. Then walk

using my

a chance to take b

ve two

he

to the contract. The other remained open to her mothe

shut

man who looked at her

hed for the c

more. Freedom to pursue her own interests. Everything s

ile. Severe rheumatoid arthritis

n. She remembered Victoria's voice whenever another payment c

ad always re

losed h

r's care would once again depend on Victoria. S

d something of her own. A business. Something she had dreame

ear of her life, perhaps she

the contract. "I

between her freedom