Page 54 of The Contract Marriage

Frederich comes out with caviar and vodka buried in ice and serves us. I smile at the first friendly face in the house, and he gives me a small nod.

Once he’s gone, Auric leans forward. “Is it really true that you tried to steal Tyler from Brielle?”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Olivia

I stare at Auric in shock. Is he kidding? What happened to “hello,” “how are you,” or “nice to meet you”?

He continues, “He just doesn’t seem hot or rich enough to bother with. You could definitely do better.” His tone implies that “better” might be himself.

Elita runs her fingers along his forearm, but her eyes remain on my face. “Unless he’s amazing in bed. But he doesn’t have that vibe, if you know what I mean.”

“He’s totally unworthy,” I answer blandly. No reason for them to know that I never even slept with him.

“I’m so glad. It would have been awful if my instincts had become rusty.” She laughs.

Auric sighs, then gestures at Liam. “Look at him, all settled and proper. And to think we might have missed his presence. His nice new wife, too.”

“I know.” Elita smiles. “I’m glad you convinced me to keep him.”

What are they talking about? Might have missed his presence? To keep him?

Auric leans toward his wife until his forehead rests on her temple. “And I’m glad you listened to me. I was so scared that you might not.”

“Well, honey, you have a certain way of convincing me.” She lets out a trilling laugh.

Just based on their tone, the exchange seems casual and breezy. But Liam tenses next to me, and his smile goes tight.

An abrupt realization hits me like a sledgehammer: he is the child that these two considered not having, after having six sons previously. And they’re making a bragging sort of joke out of it, like it somehow proves that they’re good, responsible people. They don’t seem to give a damn that what’s coming out of their mouths hurts their child. They’re too busy tittering and congratulating themselves to notice my cold stare. Or maybe they simply don’t care.

I draw in air slowly, stomping on an urge to slap the smugness off them. Their casual cruelty is actually worse than Hugh’s more in-your-face variety. At least with the latter, you can punch back.

I glance at Sorcha and Cedric, but neither seems inclined to say anything on Liam’s behalf. For God’s sake, hasn’t anybody in this family bothered to shield him from his parents?

Frederich appears to clear the table and serve a beef consommé. He doesn’t seem to notice that most of the caviar was untouched.

Auric shifts his attention back to me. “In case you didn’t know, Liam was completely accidental—”

“You mean vital. Completely vital.” My voice grows sharper than a razor blade. “And the most important person—my life partner.” I take Liam’s cool hand, place it on the table, and thread my fingers with his, wishing I could warm his heart, too. I give him a bright, adoring smile, the kind a sweet husband deserves from his wife. And it’s worth it to see the light return to his eyes. “I don’t know what my life would be like without him,” I add, my eyes still on his. “We’ve known each other since college.”

“College? But he never said anything,” Auric says, half-dismissive, half-defensive.

Liam shakes his head with a quiet sigh.

I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe he did, and you just weren’t paying attention.”

“Well, I suppose Liam is important. After all, he’s your husband.” Elita giggles, her eyes slightly glazed. I thought she was drinking water, but it’s probably vodka. She continues, “You’re so cute together. I’m thrilled you’re part of the family now, Olivia.”

“Of course, it’s lovely to know Liam found himself a wife who can get along with his parents. They have so much in common,” Sorcha says. Her sarcasm is thick enough to fill the entire house. She obviously doesn’t approve of Auric and Elita’s mindset. Why does she think I’m like them?

“Of course, I’d get along with my husband’s family,” I say. “My mother raised me well.”

“Your mother?” Sorcha squints for a moment, pulling up memories. “Ah. Constance Whitmore.”

My heart trembles for a beat at the dry way she speaks my mom’s name. Now it’s Liam who squeezes my hand. And it’s enough to anchor my emotions.

“That’s right. She taught me so much about love and marriage.” I smile. She taught me love is unreliable; even with love, marriage can be a trap, and men can lie even while having a child with you. Most importantly, she taught me that if you don’t have the power to protect those who matter the most, you can’t afford to love them.