Chapter 7: The Marriage Contract

The photo fell out of Aurora's shaking hands onto the coffee table.

Marcus Hale.

She knew the name.

All New Yorkers did.

A billionaire. A corporate shark. The sort of guy who broke businesses down because it was in his power.

Alexander looked at Aurora.

Do you believe that Marcus Hale was all set up?

Alexander's face was suddenly blank when he held up the picture.

I will not accuse someone without any proof.

But I know Marcus," he said.

"And I know his ways.

Richard leaned forward, his face very pale.

"Alex..."

Alexander looked Alexander's old friend in the eyes.

"Tell her."

Richard's shoulders slumped.

He lowered his voice and said, “Once there was a time….”

Aurora frowned.

“Don't tell me this isn't something I ever expected to hear.

I refused his proposal.I turned down his proposal.

"Why?"

I found out he was doing money laundering using multiple shell companies.

Aurora's eyes widened.

"You mean..."

He "wanted" me to join in with his illegal operations.

"I refused."

Alexander picked up where Richard left off.

Marcus takes offence at any insult!

“For years, he waited to destroy your father.”

Aurora's chest tightened.

"So Daniel Brooks..."

“...had been working for Marcus all the time.”

Alexander nodded.

"That's my theory."

“And judging from this picture...”

"...I was right."

The room was suddenly silent.

All of a sudden, it suddenly all came together.

The stolen money.

The threats.

The mysterious surveillance.

It was all pre-arranged and nothing was left to luck.

Richard put his head in his hands.

I'm really sorry, Aurora.

Had he not been my personal, trusted, and highly dependable friend,

Neighbouring him there was Aurora, kneeling,

It wasn't my fault.

"But it is."

This danger I brought into your life.

Alexander stepped closer.

"No."

Both father and daughter looked up.

It's Marcus' fault.

Well, I'm going to put an end to it," he said.

His quiet tone was filled with definite assurance.

Aurora had never witnessed Alexander defending them, merely defending.

He was getting ready for battle.

---

That evening...

Kingsley Manor was very silent.

On the balcony, outside her guest room, Aurora watched the lights sparkle in the distance in the city.

The house was a mansion, and it was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

It never seemed like a place where she belonged.

There was a soft knock on the open balcony door.

She turned.

Alexander stood there.

He had taken off his suit jacket, leaving only a white shirt with neatly rolled sleeves down to his forearms.

It was the first time since she came…

He did not seem so much like a billionaire.

Like a sleepy man.

"May I?"

Aurora nodded.

He went on the balcony but remained at a distance from them.

I was sorry I just wanted to say sorry.

She looked surprised.

"For what?"

"For everything."

She laughed softly.

Be more precise, "you'll have to be more specific.

"The proposal."

"The pressure."

"The danger."

"My timing."

Looking at the skyline, Aurora was amazed.

“You didn't make the danger.”

"No."

“But I gave you an impossible choice.”

They both seemed to be silent for a long time.

Last but not least, Aurora asked the question she had been dreading to ask.

"If I say no..."

Alexander answered immediately.

I'll still keep you safe.

You will still settle up my father's debt?

"Yes."

She frowned.

So why even provide marriage?

Alexander closed his eyes for a moment, for a fleeting moment.

When he opened them back up, he had a vulnerable look in his eyes.

Since marriage has granted me rights.

What are these rights?

The legal right to give you permanent security.

The right to take emergency medical decisions.

The condition of being moved without legal opposition.

The right to keep you safe in public, not in private.

Aurora stared at him.

It wasn't what she wanted to hear.

That, though, is not the only reason, though.

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"No."

But what is the true reason then?"

He didn't say anything for a long moment.

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

If I do,…"

He gazed into her eyes.

You will think that this marriage had nothing to do with saving your father.

Before Aurora could respond, Ethan appeared in the doorway.

"Sir."

Alexander turned.

"What is it?"

The Advocates are here.

“They’ve worked out the deal.”

Aurora's heart skipped.

"The agreement?"

Ethan nodded.

"The marriage contract."

Alexander took a look at Aurora.

"You don't have to sign anything tonight."

You read all the pages!

"Ask every question."

“And when you begin to walk away,….”

I will personally take you anywhere you want.

There was no manipulation in his voice.

No demand.

Only patience.

Soon, they met in Alexander's private study.

Two lawyers were standing next to a nice, mahogany table.

There was a thick folder in the middle.

One lawyer handed it to Aurora.

This is the draft of marriage contract.

Her hands trembled as she opened it.

She thought she would get a lot of restrictions on pages.

Financial clauses.

Control.

Rather, she was completely surprised by the first clause.

Clause One: Mrs. Aurora Whitmore shall have complete ownership of all personal assets, inheritances and future income.

She flipped to the next page.

2. Mrs. Whitmore shall have her university education continued without interruption.

Another page.

Clause Three: Mr Alexander Kingsley shall not be involved in Mrs Whitmore's career, friendships or personal ambitions in any way whatsoever.

Another.

Clause Four: After two years, Mrs Whitmore has the right to terminate the marriage without having to pay any financial penalties.

Slowly, Aurora lifted her gaze.

"You wrote this?"

Alexander nodded.

"I did."

She turned over the rest of the pages.

He didn't get a single clause that was favorable.

There's only protection for her.

She stare at him, astonished.

What is it in this contract that's yours?

Alexander replied so quietly that no one could hear him.

"You."

They were eye to eye over the table.

As it is the first time ever...

Aurora was not watching the billionaire who'd offered to save her family.

She was observing a man who was prepared to do anything...

For some reason she could not explain.

Suddenly, it was quiet again.

Ethan's phone rang.

Then he replied, his face blanched, "I don't know.Then he replied, his face blanched, "I don't know.

"Sir..."

Alexander had an instinctive feeling that something was amiss.

"What happened?"

Ethan carefully lowered the phone.

“Our surveillance team just lost touch of Richard Whitmore.

Aurora's heart stopped.

"My father...?"

Ethan nodded grimly.

He was gone 10 minutes ago.

**End of Chapter 7**