Chapter 14

The following few hours passed quickly. Nicholas called his attorney right away to schedule an emergency meeting. Afterward, he showed me the best sights in the city all the while riding in the back of his car.

We made a quick stop at his attorney's office, where I met Benson and promptly agreed to hand over my life after the contract changes were made.

As we left the office together, I had to fight to keep the panic attack at bay.

I was rich in the blink of an eye. I had consented to marry a man I hardly knew, have sex with him, and to some extent submit to his authority.

I had to remind myself that I had not agreed to the proposal simply because I was desperate to belong. I was not out of my mind. And as the thought gripped me, I got closer and closer to backing away... to pushing Nicholas away.

As we got back into the car, Nicholas wound his fingers with mine, nearly skipping and whistling.

He slid into the seat next to me, and I couldn't help but note, "You're terribly cheerf