A Marriage Built on Ashes

Chapter 6: Ninety Days

Sloane

When I got to the office. Cade was already there. He sat across from me in his tailored charcoal suit. Beside him was someone who I supposed was his corporate attorney. The tension in the room felt like a weight.

“Good morning, Miss Sloane. I’m Margaret Chen, Mr Whitmore’s corporate attorney”, she said stretching her hand out greeting. “Let’s establish the parameters of this arrangement,” his attorney said, clicking her pen.

“My client wants everything in writing,” Jonathan countered, opening a thick folder as he takes a seat. “No ambiguity. We are here to satisfy the requirements of the will, but we are also protecting Miss Hartford’s personal and professional interests.”

“Agreed,” Cade said. His voice was steady, but his eyes never left mine. It was he was silently asking if I was really brave enough to go through with this.

According to the will, the marriage had to appear legitimate, which meant Cade and I couldn't live in separate addresses.

“The will is very clear about a genuine domestic partnership. For the marriage to satisfy the legal requirements, they’ll need to live together,” Margaret stated.

“Separate bedrooms.”, I said immediately. I didn't care if the lawyers thought it was cold.

No one commented. The lawyers just looked at me, then at Cade. After a brief pause, he nodded in agreement.

“Fine. My townhouse in the Heights is fully gated with a private entrance. I can have the guest wing prepared, and it has its own office,” Cade said, leaning back.

“My client also wants to maintain her own apartment,” Jonathan added.

Cade shifted, his eyes narrowing. “She needs to be at the house at least five nights a week.”

I bit my lip. Five nights a week in his space. Five nights a week of pretending. “Fine,” I agreed. “Two nights at my apartment.”

Margaret noted it without pause. Then came the public behaviour. “Public presentation,” she continued. “You’ll attend events together. Appear affectionate. Minimal but consistent social media presence.”.

“I’m a consultant. I know how to manage a brand. I can act.”, I said, my voice sounding more confident than I felt. “

“So can I,” Cade replied.

“Finally, we’re also looking at the three-month minimum timeline,” Margaret added. “The will requirements, you must remain married for at least ninety days before any divorce proceedings can be initiated. We’ve already drafted the dissolution papers, if needed, but they’ll only be available to you until that period ends.”

I nodded, processing the fact that I was signing away my next season to Cade.

“We'll give you two some privacy to discuss the... personal aspects of this arrangement.”, Jonathan says. We’ll be outside drafting the final contract. By the time they step out the silence in the room was heavy, besides the hum of the air conditioning.

I took a breath, steeling myself. ““I’m agreeing to this,” I said, steadying my voice, “with conditions. I’m not an informant. I’m an equal partner. That means you share all your findings.”

Cade’s expression hardened. “You don’t get to rewrite my investigation.”

“Then you don’t get my name,” I said. “Every discovery, every lead, I’m in the room. No secrets. And if my family is innocent, you walk away.”

Cade studied me for a long moment.

Finally, he nodded once. “Agreed.”

Cade stared at me for what felt like a long couple of seconds. “Agreed,” he said.

The silence returned. Cade cleared his throat and broke the silence again.

“Sloane, about before...” he started. “The day I left. I wanted to say...”

“Don't!” I cut him off. I couldn't let him soften the wall. “We are business partners, Cade. That is the only reason we are in this room. That's all we will ever be.”

Cade’s expression shuttered, the warmth vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. “Understood,” he said, his jaw set.

“Why did you really agree to this?” I asked. “The investigation is part of it, I know. But three months of marriage? The public scrutiny? That can't be the only reason.”

Cade looked toward the window, watching the traffic below. He seemed to be considering his answer very carefully. “I owe it to Lily,” he finally said. “She died trying to expose something evil. I can’t let her life be for nothing. If this is the only way into the Hartford inner circle, then I’ll take it.”

“That’s not what I asked,” I said softly.

His eyes met mine, and for a split second, the coldness vanished. “No. It’s not.”

“Why did you agree?” he asked, turning the tables. “Is it just about the twelve hundred jobs? Or the money?”

“The jobs matter,” I said honestly. “But it’s more than that. I need to know. If my family has been using our legacy as a cover for something terrible... I need to find out. I won't be coward and be too scared to look.”

Cade gave a short, respectful nod. “I can work with that.”

Jonathan and Margaret returned, carrying stacks of paper.

“We have the public contract ready for signature,” Jonathan announced, placing the documents in front of us. “This covers the marriage, the cohabitation at Mr. Whitmore’s residence, and the financial protections for both of you.”

“The public contract,” Margaret said, placing it before us.

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the pen to legally tie my life to Cade’s. Cade must have noticed my hand shaking, but he didn't say anything. He proceeded to sign his own copy after I signed mine.

The lawyers witnessed our signatures, notarized the documents, made copies. It was done. We were legally committed to marry within two months or I automatically lose everything. As Margaret Chen gathered her papers to leave, Jonathan cleared his throat.

“Sloane,” he said, reaching into his briefcase. “According to your grandmother's instructions.”, he says as he searches his briefcase. “She asks that I give you two letters”

He pulled out a sealed envelope bearing the Hartford Hotels crest. My name was written across the front in my grandmother's handwriting.

I frowned. “You said two letters. This is just one.”, I said as I collected the envelope and waved it at him.

Jonathan placed the envelope in my hands.

“One now,” he said. “One after three months. Just as your grandmother requested”

Cade’s gaze lifted. “And if she doesn’t make it three months?”

Jonathan hesitated.

“Then,” he said quietly, “the letter never gets opened.”

“Her instructions were: 'When Sloane signs the marriage contract, give her the letter. She may read it alone or with Cade present, her choice.'”