g off her messy face. "I didn

oman insisted gently. "Have

Alura into the t

eled she must look. Thoroughly soaked, with her mascara probably runnin

and placed a cup in front of Alura,

und the cup and the heat se

u," she w

tea, studying Alura throu

h most people call me Grandma Mabel,

lura W

ould you like to tell me why you're

t was to lie, to make up somethin

Mabel's warm eyes, she re

ld her ev

ather's latest catastrophe. And the

ssion never changed from that calm look. When Alura fi

or someone so young," Gr

ed. "If I refuse, they'll kill my father. But

ss the table. Her hand was soft, wrinkled and

tiful to belong to t

throat t

" Grandma Mabel continued. "Pure, delicate

. "Why are you being so kind

A long time ago, I was also desperate. Also trapped. Also willi

for a while as if she was co

le every week," she said fina

list

xpression softened with something like grief. "He's completely alone. That silly boy is married to his work. No life

id, not sure why Grandma

ets to competitors, and ran off with the money." Grandma Mabel's fingers tightened around her cup. "It bro

g of sympathy fo

told you there's a way to save you from Percy

skipped. "What

his wife in name. We pay off your father's debts entirely, and my gr

shook her head. "You want me to marry yo

cing. "The marriage would be completely secret and Registered through a court marriage. He g

ould he agree to this? Mar

till trusts. And because he wants a wife in name only, someone who won't expect hi

ng forced to marry a loan shark? At least this way, you

hands

ould this

d a few family events in a year to maintain appearances as his wife. That's all. In exchange, we will help you cle

sked, because it all sounded too good t

arriage would be cold, distant and lonely in its own way. You would be bound to a man who would never give you

r, she was complet

she reached into her purse and pulled out a simple

it across

ber if you agree. We'll arrange everything. But Lily, once you make this choice, t

The paper felt expensive e

randson's name?" sh

Lou. We call him Lou. I

look like. A young brilliant CEO, cold, broken by betrayal

Mabel said again. "After that, I'll a