Page 115 of Every Beat of My Heart

Aiden and Fiona’s wedding was held on Christmas Eve at his family’s inn. The ceremony itself was held outside on the grand stairs leading to the front porch. Even with heaters, it was chilly. Immediately after the ceremony, the wedding planners moved guests to the ballroom where the reception was being held.

I was ecstatic that my oldest sister had come home last Christmas and reconnected with her high school sweetheart. I just wished all my siblings were home for the holidays.

Ryder was here with Faith, but his wife, Stacy was noticeably absent. He didn’t say why that was. It was probably too much to hope for that their relationship was on the rocks and they would be getting a divorce soon. I shouldn’t wish bad things for them, but I missed my brother and wanted to see my niece more often. He seemed down, not like the easy-going brother I remembered. But he wouldn’t talk to us about what was going on, and everyone was afraid to bring it up, especially since Faith was usually around.

For the reception, Ryder and Faith, Wes and Sutton, Teddy, Claire, Owen, and I were seated at table together. Faith was running around the room with Izzy, happy to be free of their flower-girl responsibilities. Owen had paired off with the other lone teenager in a corner, probably discussing football or video games.

When Claire and Sutton excused themselves to go to the bathroom, I asked, “Whatever happened with Sutton’s grandmother?”

“You mean on Thanksgiving?” Wes asked, looking around like he was afraid someone would overhear our conversation.

“You said they were supposed to have some kind of family meeting, and Sutton was upset.” I’d been so preoccupied with my relationship with Claire and everything that happened after that video of us was released, I hadn’t had time to ask Wes about it again.

Wes huffed out a breath and lowered his voice, “You’re never going to believe this. Her grandmother sat at the dining room table with everyone present and said that no one appreciated her; they just wanted her money. When Sutton interjected to say that she loved her and adored the estate and the family’s history, Grandma said if she wanted to inherit, she had to get married before she kicked the bucket.”

Teddy whistled. “You’re fucking with us.”

Wes leaned on his elbows. “I’m not. And the worst part is that it has to be soon because her grandmother said she’s sick and only has a few months to live.”

Ryder’s forehead creased. “Who would require someone to get married to inherit? Relationships are so difficult. Why would she think forcing someone to marry someone would be a good idea?”

I exchanged an uncomfortable look with Wes. That had to be a confirmation that he was having issues with Stacy, but this wasn’t about them at the moment. “Someone who comes from a lot of money and uses it to control people around them.”

“What’s she going to do?” Teddy asked.

Wes shrugged. “She’s not dating anyone, so she doesn’t have many options.”

“She could meet someone. Maybe go on one of those dating apps.” I chuckled. “Heck. She could be upfront about it, tell the guy she has to get married, and offer him money to do it. She could draw up a contract, make it all legal like.”

Irritation flashed in Wes’s eyes. He clearly didn’t like that idea, but I had to probe to see where he stood on the issue. He claimed they were friends, but would he stand by when she married someone else?

“What guy in his twenties would date someone who has to get married in a few weeks? Even if it was for a ton of money.” Teddy sipped water.

“No one I can think of,” Ryder agreed. “But then again, I’m surrounded by married couples or divorced ones.”

I tugged on my constraining tie. “What happens to the estate if she doesn’t get married?”

Wes shifted in his chair. “Everything will be sold, some minor inheritance doled out, and the rest donated to charity.”

“But Sutton loves that house.” I couldn’t understand it because her grandmother had always been so difficult, dictating where she went to school, her major, and even how she wore her hair. And her parents were just around for the money and the designer brands they could buy.

“That’s the problem. Sutton’s been a wreck since this was announced.”

“What do her parents want?” Teddy asked.

“They want the money. They’re trying to convince Grandma to give them a higher percentage of the estate. It doesn’t sound like she’s going to budge. So now her parents are pressuring Sutton to get married. I don’t like it because Sutton is the one who stands to inherit the most, and her parents might pressure her to marry someone else, then give them the money.”

“They just want the cash,” I said ruminating over the situation.

“I don’t have a good feeling about it. Sutton said they’re already parading eligible bachelors in front of her. These are wealthy men, but ones that her parents think they can control. None of them would be a good choice for Sutton.”

I fixed my gaze on him. “What are you going to do about it?”

Wes raised his hand. “I have an idea, but I haven’t talked to her about it yet. So please don’t say anything and keep an open mind.”

I nodded. “You can trust me.”

Teddy touched his shoulder. “You know the Calloways stick together.”

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