A Marriage Under Contract

ma

the mirror that seems more haunted than it has ever looked. Four years ago, everything was different. I was distinct. I was

his arrival

truck on the floor next to me. Ethan: Every time I utter his name, my pulse speeds. My

ds shaking. I cannot focus on anything else si

a, we k

me? I had done all in my ability to get off the radar and bury the past suffici

neck. Looking forward to the worst, I grab it from the counter. Rather, but,

eech was wobbly, showin

One asks in a deep,

t. "Who else

kwood here

s who possess more influence than most people could possibly grasp-the name I have seen on every one of them. the man wie

e giving

m, I apologize, Mr. Blackwo

the phone. At last, his tone was quiet and deliberate, "I hav

nd the residual terror from the prev

n says, his sentences short and di

How is he aware of that? How

dd gently, "I'm not

xact and devoid of feeling. "I understand you

are of the risk. But really knowledge of him? An

sure wha

ing. "I can bring all of this under control. The debt, the dang

whatsoever this is. What decision, though, do I have? On my own, I cannot sh

ask softly; the words ha

frigid as steel. "For appearances," Businesswise.

rring in his universe-rich people negotiating with relationships

et? Though I already kn

own personal safety. Enough money

not trusted him. Not even a second. On the othe

bove a whisper, "I need

ract by the end of the day. You will sign it; we will proceed. Alterna

Like I was four years ago, I am caught. This time only, not

quivering as the weight of

expected nothing less. "We'll me

ring at the phone in my palm while my heart th

ri

ng to be a trouble. But I'm not free to deal with issues. I need this deal right now and will need it going forwar

actly identify. She agreed rather rapidly, which surprised me. Despe

s the eye. I can tell. Whichever it is, I'll

ma

itchen table, the contract has arrived. As of yet, I haven opened it. The tiny print

ve any opti

n the pages, I sit down. And that's when I find it hidden

rtinent information may cause the contract to be im

n the words. He has no knowledge about

e contract signed. I am going to wed Adrian Blac

I have worked so hard to defe

arpens and a sensation of gloom blankets me. I fix my gaze on the tim

t stops when I

reamed I would see again is sta

," he says with

ast is about to catch up with me in