A Marriage Under Contract

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fresh balancing act, and I ran out of techniques. Although Jared's sudden comeback had rocked me, I couldn't

d to Adrian yet. I couldn't. Not when our marriage contract and relationship was based on layers of mistrust. S

but others behaved as though we were the ideal power couple-not a real marriage. Actually, Adrian and I knew little of each other. St

me sort of fix for the catastrophe I had discovered. It was all too much-Jared's threats, th

ws as usual, back to me immersed in the vista of the city skyline. H

" I calle

ht away. I felt uncomfor

is voice low and s

, I said, "I had some things to take care

de me feel exposed, like though he could see right through me. Although I detested tha

ing kept waiting, Samantha," he added.

been wary of me; I knew it was only a matter of time before he started poring over my background. Should

firm voice even though inside I was

ooked at me for a protracted p

he didn't control me, that this marriage denied him the right to own every action. I couldn't

to Jared. The sensation that he was monitoring me and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike persisted. When he needed to be,

e back to the here-now. Ar

look. Indeed. I apologize;

ng else there. Question of concern? Not at all, that cannot

ed forward and his voice dropped to a menacing whisper. Not when

ight of all that was happening outside of this office blin

er w

of Adrian told me why that wasn't an option. Between us, trust was a weapon. Regarding the arrangement,

ettled me. Adrian was always two steps ahead of everyone around him, and I knew he wouldn't take much

ence enveloping me. As I took up my phone and went through the messages Jared had sent,

locking his number. But I could not. Not when Ethan's safety rested on my one-step ahead of

heart skipped a beat when Jared'

ou can avoid

I let things develop so far? How had I let Jared reenter my life and i

ed just as I was ready

k. Time is ru

t anxiety and waiting for Jared to decide on his next action was intolerable. I did not, howe

espond. I froze, fixed on the screen. J

oice wobbled

he urged, his voice sh

ropped dead befo

bout. He wanted to chat about what? Was he knowledgeable? Al

the kind to call casually. It indicated somethi

then, di

this labyrinth of li