Page 29 of The Contract Marriage

She shrugs. “It’s just some cheap junk, nothing important. Tyler needed to create an appearance.”

“I’m sure.” What I wouldn’t give for a chance to kick his ass… I pull it off her finger, resisting the urge to toss it.

“No,” she says, reading my mind. “I should return it to him.” She extends her hand, palm up.

“Okay.” But I hate it that it’s touching her again.

She gives me a small pat on my chest, then drops the ring into her purse.

I take her left hand in mine, then pluck the Rubedo out of my pocket. Set on a simple platinum band, the round brilliant-cut red diamond sparkles under the light like crimson fire. I slide it onto her now-empty finger, where it belongs.

It looks even better than I imagined. The most stunning stone my lab has ever created, gracing her finger, declaring to the world that she’s mine. Sheer exhilaration makes me tremble slightly.

Olivia lets out a soft gasp. “Oh my God, Liam. This is too valuable.”

I shake my head. “Nothing’s too valuable for you. You’re going to be my wife in less than an hour.”

“But…” She stares at the stone, undisguised conflict playing out on her face. She can’t tear her eyes from it, but also feels like it’s too much for a contract marriage.

But to me, our marriage isn’t just a contract. The ring is my way of expressing how much she means to me, the significance she holds in my heart and world, something I don’t dare give voice to. She’s too skittish.

“I don’t even know what to say,” she whispers, finally lifting her eyes to meet mine.

“Just say, ‘Liam, this is beautiful, and I love it,’ and then enjoy the ring.”

A helpless affection glows in her eyes. Before I can catch myself, I press my forehead against hers. “Now we’re ready to become husband and wife, Olivia.”

Chapter Eleven

Olivia

My legs shake the entire way to the chamber indicated in Prescott’s text. Yes, Liam is in the diamond business, but I know how precious a red diamond like this can be. Mom loved colored diamonds, and she sighed once that red stones are impossible to come by. “The biggest is only five carats, and worth more than some people’s yachts. Can you believe it?”

The rock Liam put on my finger has to be way bigger than five carats. Maybe it’s from his lab? Regardless, it’s stunning, the color deeply saturated and almost ruby-like in its redness. It’s truly the kind of ring that makes a statement—that I’m his.

My heart throbs because…he isn’t exactly wrong. I am his as long as we’re married. I wouldn’t give him anything less for agreeing to do this for me, not when he could’ve married any woman he wanted—someone who could love him openly and warmly. Wistfulness rises in my chest until it hurts. If Hugh hadn’t betrayed Mom, I could’ve been exactly that woman.

I look again at the stone and the flowers. He knows exactly how to make a woman feel like the center of his universe.

When we reach the chamber, Liam opens the door. Voices drift out.

“Can’t believe he invited you to be the witness,” Jeremiah grouses.

“It was Olivia. My client.” Prescott’s extra-dry voice.

“I thought Liam would have a real wedding.”

I scowl, the red diamond glinting in my peripheral vision. This is a real wedding, hello!

“It’s legally binding,” Prescott points out.

Thank you!

“You know what I mean. Is this the trend among young people now? Ares, Bryce and now Liam?”

“Josh had a real wedding ceremony. And so did your son.”

“Yes, but he had to.” A pause. “I was looking forward to drinking Liam’s champagne.”