Blake grins at me as I pull away from him, giving the judge a wide smile. “Thank you.”
The judge looks puzzled, glancing between me and Blake. “You’re welcome. But it’s not a business transaction; it’s a union. Enjoy it.”
Blake laces his fingers through mine, nodding at Issac who looks like he’s going to be sick.
Somehow, we make it to the limousine that’s waiting for us outside, and Blake ushers me in.
The door closes behind me with a neat click, and I sit, numbly, absorbing what I’ve done.
The leather seat is cool and hard, just like my marriage.
My marriage of five minutes.
Blake climbs in beside me, adjusting his shirt collar. He barely glances at me, pulling out his phone to bring up his emails.
I’m not sure why, but his silence bothers me.
“Shit, I need to go back to the office.”
“You’re joking.” I stare at him, unsure if I’ve heard him right. “You’re going to go back to the office?”
Blake types on his phone before responding to me. “You don’t need to pretend anymore, Danielle. It’s just us.”
I feel like he’s slapped me. “But I thought…” I stop as Blake frowns at me.
WhatdidI think?
That we’d go back to our marital home and make love beneath the stars, moonlight highlighting the insane cheekbones of my husband?
“You thought we’d consummate our marriage?” Blake laughs, shaking his head. “You go home and get yourself settled in. Don’t worry about me or where I am, and I won’t worry about you either.”
“Until you tell me otherwise?” My words wobble on my lips, but I shake my head, trying to push away my preconceived notion that marriage meant love.
Because it doesn’t.
It’s a transaction; something the man who married us didn’t know.
No.
This is business, and the platinum band on my finger does nothing to change it.
“You know the contract as well as I do, Danielle. Stick to that and you won’t go wrong.”
The car ride is silent until we reach Blake’s house, sorry—mansion—and the driver opens the door for me.
Swinging my legs out, I refuse to turn around and look at the man who’s ruined my life twice now.
“Think of the money, honey,” Blake calls after me.
Tears sting my eyes as I walk forward, my head held high.
I am Danielle Vee.
LikefuckI’m taking his name.
I’m doing this for the money and to save the business.
And I slept with the groom's best friend the night before my wedding.
