“She was a great woman. I adore her paintings.”
I nod, wishing my parents were alive. Then I wouldn’t have been abused by Doris or her shitty family.
“By the way, do you have a lawyer?” Lucie asks. “Or do you need a referral?”
“I don’t have one yet. But I’m going to need one. I just married Ares Huxley on Saturday.”
Lucie gasps. “Really?”
“Yes. Why?” I ask warily.
“I didn’t realize he was the marrying type. He has a rep.”
“For…?”
“Being peculiar. I hate to be uncharitable, because he’s one of my brothers-in-law’s cousins, but I also don’t want you to get blindsided. There’s a chance he’ll recognize you’re wonderful and fall in love, but there’s a greater chance he won’t.” She takes my hand and pats it. “He apparently can’t stay in a relationship for more than a few months. Whenever the woman falls in love, he ends it. Doesn’t matter how much she begs and pleads. He’s done.”
“Ah…” I let out a noncommittal sound as I connect the dots. Ares was specific about the kind of relationship he wanted, and obviously a woman being in love with him is the opposite of respectful indifference. I just didn’t realize he was dedicated to that sort of future, to the point that he’d drop girlfriends. Based on what he said, I thought it only applied to marriage.
Note to self:Never fall in love with this man.If I do within the six months, he’ll divorce me before I have the chance to wrap up everything with the trust. And if I do afterward… Well, I’ll be the loser, since he’ll break my heart.
“It’s transactional,” I say placidly. “There’s no chance of love or losing my head over him.”
She gazes at me for a moment. “I see. Well, good. Anyway, since he’s your husband, I can’t recommend Jeremiah Huxley. It might be a little weird or even awkward.”
“Wait,she’syour lawyer?”
Lucie nods. “Yes, and I love her. But there are other good lawyers around. Like John Highsmith. He’s fantastic, and one of the few who can make sure you don’t get screwed, not even by the likes of Huxley & Webber.” She pulls out her phone. “Let me make a call for you. And give me your number so we can keep in touch.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ares
“When do we get to meet the bride?”
My grandmother’s voice comes from the phone. My eyes slide to the clock on the desk in my spacious office at Huxley & Webber. Eleven thirty-six a.m. An exceptional display of patience on her part. Or perhaps Aunt Jeremiah didn’t text her last night.
But knowing how my aunt is with Grandmother, my money’s on the former. Given her regular routine, Grandmother probably spent the morning trying to figure out who Lareina is and just when and how I had the time to meet and marry someone.
“When would you like?” I ask.
“Before the month’s up, since thatisthe deadline.”
“Then tonight?”
“Excellent. Akiko was quite excited about hosting a dinner.”
Ah. She was busy plotting a little get-together with my stepmother. Should’ve known. The Fogeys love throwing those at me and my brothers.
“We’ll be there. Seven?” I start to type a text to Lareina so she can plan the rest of her day accordingly.
“Yes.” Grandmother hesitates. “Are you in love with your wife?”
My fingers still. “Grandmother.”
“I just… I just want to know if she’ll be good for you. That she can make you happy.” There is a thread of wistfulness and guiltin her normally cool, impassive tone. “You, of all the children, Ares, deserve to be happy. You’ve suffered so much.”
I soften my voice. “Grandmother, I’m content. Lareina is thenice, respectable wifeyou expected of me. I’ll be even happier when I make junior partner.”
