Page 358 of The Christmas Wife

"He wasn’t a bad father. He was just lost without my mother."

"You’re defending the man who signed away your future in return for money?”

"Was it a big amount?" she murmurs.

"A few billion dollars."

"At least, it has a lot of zeroes." She chuckles, but the sound is weak.

"A lot of zeroes," I assure her.

"And you’re the one he made the deal with."

"Does that make you angry?" I search her features.

"I’m angry that I'm unable to disobey my father." Her lips tighten. "I’m angry I was born into a family that believes in arranged marriages to further their business interests. I’m angry that the little time I thought I had to be independent and have a normal life was taken from me. As for the rest, I’m confused."

"Confused?" I tilt my head.

"I’m confused you asked me to work for you and you gave me a job. I’m confused how you connected with my father. How you knew he was in trouble, how—" She must notice my expression, for she slowly nods. "Of course, you knew. You have money and power and connections. You knew he was in trouble. You knew you could barter a deal with him."

"I need a wife. And contrary to your declarations, you do need a husband."

"I do not." She scowls.

"If it weren’t me, it would be somebody else. Better a man you’ve already met than a complete stranger."

She blinks, then tips up her chin. "That’s what I’m trying to tell myself. But I don’t know you, either."

"A problem that’s easily solved."

"What do you mean?"

"We’ll get to know each other after we’re married."

"And love, what about that?"

"I don’t believe in love."

"Because you already gave your heart to someone else?"

I narrow my gaze. "I see you’ve heard about my past from our mutual friends?"

She shakes her head, then stops herself. "Only a little. It wasn’t that I asked; it was mentioned in passing that you had your heart broken."

I firm my lips. I want to deny it, but that would be lying. And that’s the one thing I don’t do. The habit of always telling the truth, no matter the consequences, is one I haven’t been able to shake. I settle for not saying anything, which she interprets correctly in the affirmative.

Her forehead wrinkles. "So, what I heard is true."

"My past is of no consequence to you."

"How can you say that when it will impact my future?"

"All you need to know is that your father and I came to an amiable agreement, and he has agreed to my proposal of marrying you."

"Do I have a choice in this?" There’s a bitter note in her voice.

"You know the consequences of refusing."

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