Page 41 of The Contract Marriage

“How about mine?” I ask, hoping it has something unoriginal like “Eternal love.”

“My blue sky.”

I blink. “What does that even mean?” I narrow my eyes. “Did you just pick out whatever from the store?”

He laughs. “Never. That would have been too thoughtless.”

Apprehension crawls across my back. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, just checked the inside myself later. His answer feels like a hand about to sweep across the chessboard and knock down all my pieces.

“Close your eyes,” he says.

I stare at him stubbornly.

“Come on. Do it. Otherwise, I can’t explain it.”

“Okay,” I say, a little hesitantly, then do as he asked.

“Imagine a perfect day—beautiful weather, cloudless, nice breeze, everything’s just right, everything’s lovely.”

I nod, as a firm picture forms in my mind. I think of the Whitmore mansion before Deena and Brielle. The sweet scent of roses and freshly cut grass under my bare feet. My toes curl.

“And then you look up and see the sky. It’s blue—flawlessly blue—and you just sigh with joy because it’s that kind of moment.”

The image becomes stronger. I can feel the relaxing warmth of the sun, the sky is a perfect cobalt, and—

A kiss lands on my forehead. My eyes fly open to meet his, which are brimming with affection.

Oh no. Please stop, I want to say but the words won’t come out.

“You’re that blue sky for me.”

No.

I just stare at him, unable to articulate everything that’s surging in my head. He’s too earnest, too warm. Here in this secluded mansion, surrounded by the ocean and flowers and wrapped in his strong arms, I can almost believe nothing can touch us, not Hugh, not Deena and certainly not Brielle’s schemes—and we can get lost in sweet bliss and dance to the love songs he croons in my ear.

Except when Liam gets close, he’s going to see I’m not the perfect blue sky he thought he saw. I’m damaged goods with gaping holes that have never healed after losing my mother and dog—a woman who can’t even talk about her feelings openly because she has to deceive everyone around her to get justice for her mom. I even got him tangled up in my plan, and soon he’s going to have to explain to his family that he eloped with a woman they’ve never met.

What the hell kind of “blue sky” is that?

You can just let go. And be happy with him. He won’t mind.

As soon as the thoughts cross my mind, I shake myself mentally. I can’t afford to lose sight of my goal—the cold justice that’s been begging to be served for the last twenty years.

I shouldn’t fool myself into thinking this kind of idyllic life can be possible for someone like me, that affection like Liam’s will be everlasting. Even if it might, something will rip him away from me. Brielle…or whatever. It doesn’t matter.

Focus on the goal, Olivia. This isn’t about love; it’s about justice.

Sudden tears threaten to erupt, but I swallow them with a smile. “That’s amazing. Thank you,” I choke out. Mom would’ve loved him. If only I could turn back time…

I kiss his forehead like he did mine. I’ll find some way to compensate him later.

Chapter Seventeen

Olivia

“How do I look?”

Liam’s eyes glint as he takes in my gold off-the-shoulder dress that comes all the way to the floor. My feet are in four-inch stilettos in the same color, which gives me the height I want for the confrontation to come. On my finger are the Rubedo and the wedding band, and Mom’s heirloom diamond earrings and necklace glitter on my ears and throat. I pulled my hair up to ensure nobody will miss the magnificent Whitmore stones. “Like a queen,” he says.