ing skyline of New York City. The cool night air wrapped ar

's pro

er every wak

rol. A structured life where

at abo

ing her independe

her no. Her min

was her unborn child-the onl

ommanding even in the quiet. He leaned against

about it," he said, hi

slow breath. "O

nd

gn of hesitation. But Damien Lexington was unrea

the sake of the baby," she said c

ed steady. "We raise

e in separate wings of your mansion? Do we pretend

what's necessary to give

about me, Damien? Wha

e said, "You get security. Stability. And yo

do have to worry. Because I'd be t

you, Aurora. This is a choice. But be very sure of your de

omach

eant

he'd be shutting

a distant father who saw them a

swallow

e really

and Co

from Damien in his office. A stack

nd the edges of the pap

riage?" she asked, scan

gally binding agreement, ensuring tha

ned. "Respo

en explained. "Financially, socially, and legally. And i

stomach

break the contr

u leave without a dime. No spousal support. No a

breath

ought of

hless," she

ened. "I'm a

the contract again. Every word w

ion caught h

ars?" she

ree years. Long enough for the child

swallow

with Damie

she

his wife, even if it w

ed as she reach

her, his expres

line where her name b

was

with th

p breath,

the Lexin

ing week w

no guests, no romance. Just a swift exchange of vows

justice of the peace, wearing a designer dr

ays, was the p

onto her finger-expensive, stu

t, she became Mrs

ss. No soft whi

ontract

d in the massive Lexing

ss of glass and steel,

the man wh

om-separate from Damien's, of c

really he

a hand over

how she felt. She

had to li

ight as Hus

ing, Damien kno

tated befor

l in his suit, his e

hing is to your

much as a business

icked. "You ma

said quietl

nce settled

e'll need to attend as a couple. You'll b

an smile and play the role of t

es

And what about when the

pression di

t," he said simply. "An

wed the lump

at wa

eless marriage, and

hated how em

her even the smallest reason to be

he h

never

ld G

to leave, paus

over the schedule with yo

ng for something-anything

odded once an

behind him wit

a shaky breath,

expect

still

rs over her, trying to shake the suffo

s her l

ge in na

lionaire who didn

e wors

f she would make