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“You’re my lawyer, you prick.”
“Consider me lawyer to you both, since nobody’s actually paying me.”
Nolan grunts, but he’s smiling slightly. “Get to the good part, please.”
“Right.” Gareth turns his attention back to me. “In the agreement are certain payment provisions. Namely, you’ll have access to an unlimited line of credit, plus a trust will be established in your name. Every month, Nolan will add one million dollars, for a total of five million at the end of the five-month period. If you decide to terminate the marriage after that five-month period, you keep the accrued money. If you decide to terminate sooner than five months, you get nothing. Do you understand?”
I stare at Nolan, my mouth hanging open. I try to make sense of this development, but I can’t quite make it work. Why would he offer me five million dollars if I decide to leave him? That sort of money could change my life. I wouldn’t be able to quit working, but I’d be able to keep the shop going for a long while, even if I’m not profitable.
I turn to Gareth, trying to gather myself. “Can I have a second with him, please?”
“Of course.” Gareth gets up. “I’ll be right over there.” He wanders off to a juice bar.
“I have a feeling you’re about to shout at me,” Nolan says, smiling bigger now.
“What the hell is your game here?” I ask through my teeth. “Five million dollars?”
“It’s an incentive.”
“An incentive towhat? Divorce you?”
His face gets serious, the smile slipping away. That intense stare of his, that incredibly focused attention, it slams into me like a boxing punch. I sit there, teeth gritted, staring back as I think about him fucking me barely an hour ago, the ache of him still between my legs.
“I want you to stay with me for five months. The money is your incentive to see it through. If I’ve done my job, at the end of those five months, you won’t want to go anywhere. Five million won’t matter to you then, since you’ll have plenty of money as my wife. Unlimited money, really, or at least more than you could possibly spend.”
I chew on my thumb, considering. “The five million is payment for following through then.”
“If you want to leave me after five months, I won’t stop you, and I’ll make sure you’re still taken care of. Everything you buy while we’re together will remain yours. Gareth has that in the contract too. The business will be yours as well. I’ll consider my investment a gift. That’s also in the contract. You will be free of me, and you will be financially set for the rest of your life.”
I clench my hands into fists. “I didn’t ask for that.”
“I don’t care.” He leans closer. “I know you wanted to run this business all on your own. I’m going to step back and let you make your decisions. But I will not leave you in a precarious position if you do decide that you don’t want to be my wife. Even though I will be disappointed, I will take care of you, my something.”
I let that sink in. It’s strangely kind, like he actually gives a damn about me, but it also pisses me off.
I wanted a clean break. No money, no perks, nothing. Five months, then gone. Now it’s like even if I do leave him, I’ll never be rid of him because his money will always follow.
But I’d be stupid to turn this down. As much as it drives me insane, I understand he means well.
He really believes I’m going to stay with him after five months. But he doesn’t realize I have this baby to worry about above all else, and in five months, I’ll need that money to make sure my child is provided for.
That’s the real reason I’m not telling him to fuck off.
“All right, call Gareth back over,” I say finally, feeling reluctant.
Nolan waves for his friend. Gareth returns, looking slightly concerned. “Well? Did you discuss things?”
“I’m ready to sign.” I hold my hand out for a pen.
Gareth produces one but doesn’t let it go. “I just want to make sure you’re doing this from your own free will. You’re not in trouble, are you?”
“Gareth,” Nolan says sharply.
“No, I’m not in trouble. This is my decision.”
“If you need help, you can come to me.” He hands over his business card while Nolan glares like he wants to rip the thing to shreds. “I have the means to help.”
“Asshole,” Nolan says.
