The Contract That Became Forever

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CHAPTER 12

The Hart Foundation Charity Auction. Saturday night.

Sophia wore red this time. Not because Mrs. Hale picked it. Because she wanted armor.

Ethan picked her up at the door. Tuxedo. Cold eyes.

"Smile," he said the moment the cameras flashed. His hand was on her back again. "Look at me."

Sophia forced a smile. "Is this real enough for the board?"

Ethan flinched. "Sophia—"

"Don’t," she said. "Just 6 do what you need to do."

Inside, they worked the room. Perfect couple. Perfect lies.

Victoria was there. In white. Watching.

Halfway through, Ethan pulled Sophia onto the dance floor.

"Play along," he murmured, pulling her close.

His hand was on her waist. His other hand held hers.

"Are we?" Sophia whispered.

"What?"

"Playing."

Ethan looked down at her. For a second his mask slipped. "I don’t know anymore."

The song ended. Cameras flashed.

Then a reporter shouted: "Mr. Hart! Is it true you paid your wife to marry you?"

The room went quiet.

Ethan’s grip tightened on Sophia. "No comment."

"She’s a nurse! Was this all for your grandfather’s shares?"

Sophia felt everyone staring.

Ethan stepped in front of her. "That’s enough."

"No," Sophia said. She stepped around him. Her voice shook but it was loud. "Yes. It started that way. A contract. Money for marriage. Six months."

Gasps.

Ethan turned to her, eyes wide. "Sophia, stop."

"But then," Sophia continued, looking at him. "Then it stopped being a contract. At least for me."

She walked off the dance floor and out the doors.

Ethan didn’t follow her. Not right away.