Page 40 of Bound To Be Mine

“It’s fraud.”

“It’s survival.” She took a step toward me. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal for you either. But think about it from a business perspective.”

I stared at her, trying to find a hole in her logic. The problem was, there wasn’t one. At least not one I could articulate through the fog of my hangover and the absolute chaos of this situation.

“This is blackmail,” I said.

“It’s not,” she corrected. “I’m not threatening you. I’m offering you a good deal. We can turn this mistake into an opportunity.”

“How would it even work?” I asked, hating that I was considering this.

“I don’t know yet.” She sank back down into her chair, suddenly looking as exhausted as I felt. “Look, I need like fifteen hours more sleep before I can even think through this all the way. And you’re the lawyer. You figure it out.”

“Mandy, this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. “

“Trust me, I’ve heard worse. This is best for both of us. I do not want to beat the record for the shortest marriage ever. That’s not a title I want.”

“But you’re fine with a drunken marriage?”

“Yes.”

I shook my head. “I can’t believe I’m considering this.”

“Don’t consider it. Do it. Accept this is the best path forward.”

I frowned. I felt like I was being steamrolled. I never got steamrolled. The feeling was foreign and I really didn’t like it.

“Now be a good husband and leave your wife alone.” She waved me toward the door. “Go. Think. We’ll talk tomorrow when we’re both functioning like actual human beings.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she had already closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair. The conversation was over.

I walked out, feeling like I’d just been hit by a truck.

In the hallway, I stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. I was a lawyer. I negotiated deals for a living. I was good at getting what I wanted. I was known for being unshakeable, for always having the upper hand.

But when it came to this woman, I couldn’t seem to win. Every conversation left me feeling off balance, like I was constantly playing catch-up while she was three steps ahead. It was infuriating.

And now I was married to her. For the foreseeable future, it seemed.

I made my way back to my hotel, where Sebastian and Dash were still camped out. I walked in and saw they had made themselves at home. They were watching what appeared to be a compilation video of our wedding night on my laptop.

“Turn that off,” I said.

Sebastian looked up. “How’d it go?”

“She won’t annul it.”

Both of them sat up straighter.

“What?” Dash said.

“She wants to stay married. Fake it for a few months, then quietly divorce.” I dropped onto the couch. “She says an annulment makes her look bad. Like she doesn’t take marriage seriously. And her reputation would get ruined if people think she’ll do something similar at their weddings. Brides don’t want anyone else’s drama on their big day.”

Sebastian was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. “She’s not wrong.”

“Don’t tell me you think this is a good idea.”

“I think she’s protecting her brand and her business. Can’t fault her for that.” He closed the laptop. “Adrian did something similar with Elizabeth, remember? The fake engagement that turned into a real relationship?”