Page 49 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

She wanders away from us, tugging her phone out of her purse.

“She’s going to be calling you for your tux measurements soon,” I mutter to Daire.

One side of his mouth quirks up. “I’ll be waiting for the call.”

My dad shakes his head and crosses his arms over his chest. “I need you two to be serious for a moment.”

“Can I go now?” Gracie interrupts.

With a sigh, Dad points to the waiting area. “Yes, go sit down. I’ll be back in a minute, sweetie.”

“Bye.” She gives us a big smile and waves before all but skipping down the hall.

When she’s out of earshot, my dad inhales, then lets it out in one big rush. “Did you two even think to have a prenup drawn up?”

My blood freezes in my veins. My whole life, my parents have drilled into me the importance of a prenup. With the inheritance I stand to gain, it’s logical. Expected. The same is surely true of Daire with his father.

“Um… I know you don’t want to hear this,” I say, cringing, “but no.”

“Unbelievable.” Hands on his hips, he lowers his head and paces a few steps away. “I’m calling my lawyer. Maybe we can get this annulled.”

“Sir—” Daire’s voice is strained, laced with panic.

“But Daddy, I love him!” I pull my best Ariel impression, hoping to add some levity to the situation, to turn this conversation around. I hate conflict more than almost anything. Daire’s the only person who seems to bring out my combative side.

My dad blinks back at me.

Daire covers his mouth with his hand to hide a snicker.

“I’m not annulling the marriage,” I say, lifting my chin and pulling my shoulders back. “Daire is my husband. We love each other.” I look over at him, the lie thick on my tongue. “We’re adults, and we made this decision together. Surely you can respect that.”

Silently, I take a single step closer, begging him to understand. Hoping he sees that I’m just a girl in love and all the things he’s worried about are silly. We both come from money; a prenup would hardly make a difference.

If I give in to what he’s demanding and sign annulment papers—not that I think it could even be annulled—then all of this would have been for nothing, and despite myself, I want to help Daire with his custody situation. That probably makes me insanely stupid. I literally have the perfect out in front of me, and I’m turning it down.

“You’re being ridiculous,” my dad bites out. “The two of you clearly didn’t think this through.” He shakes his head. “I’m so disappointed in you, Rosie.”

It’s the worst thing he could’ve said to me. My whole life, I’ve gone out of my way to please my parents, and this feels like a sharp slap to the face.

Daire studies my face, his eyes wide with sympathy, like he can see just how much my dad’s words hurt me.

“Hey.” Daire jumps to my defense, putting his body in front of mine. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

My dad’s face turns such a garish shade of red, I worry we might have another heart attack on our hands.

“You were almost like a son to me at one point, but you arenotfamily, and you can’t talk to me like that!” My dad’s voice echoes down the quiet hallway.

Wincing, I peek over my shoulder, hoping we haven’t garnered an audience. Unfortunately, all four of Daire’s brothers are watching from the waiting room.

“You two are too young for this. Smarter than it too. Marriage isn’t something you jump into on a whim.”

Daire clears his throat. “Technically, sir, I am family. I’m your son-in-law.” He speaks each word slowly, with inflection.

Fuck me, does the guy have a death wish?

I grip his arm. “Come on. Let’s go for a walk.”

My dad shakes his head, and with a huff, he walks away, not toward the waiting room but in the direction of the exit.

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