Page 56 of The Contract Marriage

She lifts her head to stare straight into my eyes. “You are indeed worthy of the Whitmore name, despite your father.”

Cedric laughs. “This is truly wonderful. My child, you set the bar so high for me.”

“I’ve set the bar high for everyone.” I give him another folio, presented the same way. “The ballerina doesn’t turn in this one. But I think you’ll absolutely love it because it’s Sorcha’s piqué penché en pointe.”

His eyes widen as he stops in the middle of opening the folio.

“I read that you saw her in that pose in Giselle and fell in love with her.”

“I did.” He presses a hand over his chest. “This is amazing.”

“The pieces will arrive by the date in the folio. I’m sorry that I couldn’t bring them with me. Art takes time.”

“You can’t rush perfection.” Sorcha runs her hand over the folio, wistfulness bleeding into her eyes.

“What about me?” Auric says.

Elita also leans forward, her eyes flashing with eagerness.

They must be out of their minds to believe I would give them Fabergé bespoke pieces, especially after having me witness them making Liam feel small and unwanted.

Still…they are his parents.

I paste on a dry smile. “Unlike Fabergé, I can’t guarantee when it will come. A grandchild is unpredictable like that.”

Auric laughs. “Now that’s perfect.” His eyes dart to Sorcha. “Don’t you agree, Mother?”

“You love bouncing little babies on your knees,” Elita adds like a sycophant.

“I don’t bounce babies. I hold them like a dignified, sensible adult.”

“Bouncing is what I do,” Cedric says.

Elita gives me a sly look. “Are you already pregnant? Is that why the wedding was so rushed?”

“No,” I say. “It wasn’t.”

She deflates a little. “Great-grandchildren are perfect for distraction,” she mutters.

Sorcha gives Elita the frostiest look I’ve seen so far.

“Now that I’ve delivered the gifts, I’d like to head home if you don’t mind. I haven’t been feeling well all day—a low-grade migraine—and I have an early day tomorrow.”

“That’s unfortunate. Frederich hasn’t served the entrée yet,” Cedric says, the skin around his eyes much more relaxed now after the folio.

“I hope you feel better, my child,” Sorcha says.

“Thank you.” I turn to Liam. “Can you drive us home, my love?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Liam

The moment Olivia and I step inside the house, the tight knot in my chest eases. I inhale quietly, savoring the peace and quiet and the aroma of the food we’re carrying.

“Home sweet home,” she says, toeing off her heels.

Hearing her call this place “home” soothes the raw burn in my heart from dealing with my parents. Unnecessary. An extra. Nice to have, but not much of a loss if not around.