She thinks it through, then nods slowly. "If you can stick to it, so can I."
She continues reading until she reaches the end, then sets it down.
"What happens after the year is over? Do we get divorced?”
The word 'divorce' from her mouth turns my stomach to stone. Why does the thought of parting ways with her feel like I’d be severing a limb?
I swallow down the expletives that threaten to fall from my mouth and school my features into an expression of polite disdain.
"We can cross that bridge when we come to it.”
She purses her lips. “Does it have to be for a year? It feels so long?"
Is the thought of being married to me so repugnant to her? I bat aside the doubt.
"It’s only twelve months. Surely, the effort you’ll be putting in will be worth it when you become a full-fledged chef of my next restaurant."
She blinks. I take in the conflicting expressions zipping across her features.
"The money will be yours to use in any way you want. I’m sure there are things you could help your family with."
I’m assuming that a million pounds would be life-changing for anyone.
When she swallows and looks away, I know…I have her.
"My sister Briar and my niece Freya stay with me. I could use the money to pay for Freya to attend the Royal Drawing School. And buy my sister an apartment so she never has to pay rent again.”
Her shoulders sag.
"You’re right. There’s a lot I could do with a million pounds."
I almost feel sorry that I’ve put her in a spot where she has no choice but to accept the deal. If she doesn’t, she’ll never forgive herself. She’ll have passed over the opportunity to change the trajectory of her niece’s life.
And I’m enough of a bastard that I’m also grateful I have the means to coerce her into signing the agreement.
I’m doing it to save my restaurant and to get my inheritance.
Period. End of story.
The agreement ensures Harper won't get hurt because she won't expect anything more from me.
"You should have your solicitor examine the contract before you sign it.”
She shakes her head. "I don’t have one."
"I’ll arrange to have one appointed to you."
She looks up at me, a confused expression in her eyes. "You’d do that?"
"It’s only right that I watch out for your interests. I don’t want you to feel that you’re being deceived in any way."
Her lips curve with sardonic humor. "You’re my best friend’s brother. You wouldn’t risk misleading me. It’ll make Phe mad at you. And you don’t want that.”
At the sound of my sister’s name, I wince. "I’m going to have to tell her about us."
"We’ll tell her together."
I frown. "You sure? I can?—"
