Not this fuckery.
My hands ball into fists and I force them to loosen. He made his decisions and he’s gone.
There’s nothing I can do.
Just like this atrocious conditional inheritance.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” Miss Wilkes says gently. “I understand the whole situation is a shock.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I mutter.
“You’re welcome to consult as many lawyers as you’d like, though I fear it won’t change the outcome.”
I wave away the thought.
Of course, she doesn’t think it will, and of course I’m going to hire them anyway. And of course, knowing my luck, they won’t find a goddamned mouse turd worth anything.
“There’s some good news,” she says softly.
Exhaling, I turn to face her. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“The will specifies the marriage only needs to last six months.”
Huh?
Onlysix months?
And that’s the good news?
Fucking peachy.
Six months of maintaining an unwanted bizarro marriage to a girl I tormented, and that’s not considering everything else associated with it, like a big showy wedding.
At least there’s an out, I suppose.
If the inheritance passes to me, I’ll be an extremely rich man and a public figure to boot.
You don’t just throw together a wedding with a complete stranger on a whim when you’re a Blackthorn.
Although, hell, maybe that’s what I should do.
We can jet off to Vegas and find the tackiest neon chapel, Elvis impersonator and all.
If Gramps wants a spectacle, I’ll give him one.
Public image be damned.
“And I don’t get my inheritance until I’ve tied the knot?” I ask.
“That’s also a bit more positive. As soon as you officiallyagreeto marry Miss Sage and announce it publicly, you can assume your place as head of Blackthorn Holdings. Once themarriage hits its six-month mark from the wedding date, the estate passes to you. You’ll be clear to proceed as you see fit.”
I grit my teeth. “And if I decide not to marry her?”
“Then Blackthorn Holdings cannot pass to you. The terms are very clear about that.”
Yes, I knew the answer, but it still pisses me off.
This company will only be mine if I play along. A stupid damn game designed for a reason no one seems to know and no one cares about except me.
