18|Make It Make Sense—Part 2

Scarlett gently nudged her shoulder, shaking her out of her melancholy. "I'm sorry. I'm guessing Austin didn't mention any of this to you?"

Marybeth brushed off the question with a quick shake of her head. "Why would he? We're married in name only. In exactly a year, after Daddy pays him off, we'll go our separate ways."

"Are you sure about that?" Scarlett asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's not just you and Austin. There's also a little girl involved. Can you honestly walk away from her after your time is up?"

Marybeth tilted her head slightly and played with her hands. "Please, Scar, don't put me on the spot. I'm still getting my head around everything. My father, his debt, Austin and our fake marriage. It's all too much for me."

"I understand," Scarlett said, stifling another loud yawn with the back of her hand. "But seriously, I think this whole thing is absurd. I mean, who marries someone just to pay off a debt?"

Marybeth could only nod her agreement. She, of all people, kne