Derek arrived with two witnesses, his assistant and a paralegal from the firm's office, and a folder of paperwork he'd somehow compiled in thirty minutes. I didn't ask how. That was why I paid him.Isla stood beside me in the clerk's waiting area, still holding her portfolio. She hadn't let go of it since the construction site. I think it was the only thing making her feel normal."Westbrook?" The clerk called our names.The ceremony lasted eight minutes. Sign here, initial there, raise your right hand, do you, does she. A stranger pronounced us married and stamped a document.That was it.I slid a ring onto Isla's finger that Derek had sourced from god knows where, a simple gold band, placeholder jewelry, and she looked down at it with an expression I couldn't read."Congratulations," Derek said, and at least he had the decency to look slightly uncomfortable about the circumstances.Outside on the steps, Isla finally released her portfolio and sat down on a bench. I sat beside her
Last Updated : 2026-02-23
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