Rain drummed steadily against her umbrella and br

dying them and hadn't quite gathered her thoughts when a familiar, laid-b

rested over one arm, and he'd rolled his shirt sleeves back casually. With his

uments she was holding, and a

to her handbag. "We'r

irst few steps before a quiet

" Connor

d and looked

spilled from the roof and splashed against his shoulder

tely no patience for him right now. "Wh

e mark on his neck impossible to miss. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "You weren'

e tightly and forced herself not to sh

throat, she repli

erything suddenly made perfect sense. "And now you'

ation. "As far as I'm concerned, not

w seconds before a smile sl

ously good when he smiled. Unfortunately,

u practically threw yourself at me. Today, we registered our marriage, and you're already pretending I'm a s

nd fought the very real urge t

anything to cure Connor of his t

ew times. Then he lifted his phone and snapped a pic

soft click as he

rowed her eyes. "What

uce Harrison." Eliana recognized the name instantly. It was Connor's father. The photo had already b

t complete

nds passed before

ed without ev

g again almos

second call ju

swered. He lifted the phone to his ear and said cheerf

ly enough for Eliana to hear from several feet

lous calm. "To Eliana. You remember her. She use

to respond.

nce to speak. Then he slid the phone back into his pocket and gave Eliana a thoroughly pl

the edge of Eliana's umbrel

ven worse. Agreeing to a contract marriage while she was drunk

tely terr

g him. She simply turned arou

fter her, "You'

ithout so much a

really not going to take responsibility

walked

ou can't take advantage of me and the

rly made her

steady rain. He sounded far too pleased with himself, as though

going until she reached the curb,

door open, her phone

and glanced down

he bridal shop called about today's fitting. I booked us

he message for s

s supposed to meet Damien for a we

laugh. Damien really knew

pletely unaware of his betrayal. He probably still believed she was eagerly prepar

nd. Only then could she make him understand what it felt

left Damien's message unanswered, dropped her phon

nding near the courthouse entrance and watching the taxi

it shut while rainwater ran from the

," he muttered, though this time the

phone started

er another, nearly every one of th

switched off his phone instead and silently