Page 362 of The Christmas Wife

"The NDA is a deterrent. So, if you’re tempted to tell your friends, it will stop you."

She jerks her chin up, and I take in the guilt in her eyes.

"It’s normal for you to want to consult with someone else on this, but I’m afraid I can’t allow that."

"You can’t?"

I shake my head. "Time is of the essence. As is the timing. I understand it’s all sudden, but you need to trust me on this."

"How can I trust you when you used my father’s circumstances to coerce me into a wedding?"

"You can leave, of course."

"We both know that’s not an option." Her lips turn down. Her eyes grow haunted.

I want to go over and pull her into my arms and tell her everything is going to be okay. But that would be lying. And I don’t say anything I don’t mean.Also, why am I so affected by her?All the more reason to get through this sham of a wedding, make sure my grandfather and half-siblings believe in the veracity of my marriage, and then I can get on with my life.

There’s a knock on the door, and a suited man walks in. He looks between us, then places an envelope in front of me. I nod, and he leaves.

She stares at the envelope with a look of apprehension. "What’s that?"

“The agreement outlining our marriage of convenience.” I pull a pen from the inside pocket of my jacket, then slip a sheaf of papers from the envelope and slide them over to her.

"Do I have to sign this right now?"

15

Mira

"You’re marrying him?" Abby pales. "You barely know him."

I glance out at the pouring rain. It’s a Saturday, so I didn’t have to go to work. Gotta hand it to Edward. He planned it out so we didn’t have to meet at work this morning. He gave me eighteen hours to arrive at a decision. Eighteen hours to make a decision that’s going to impact the rest of my life. Should I be grateful he gave me this much time? Or is this a way for him to pander to me, safe in the knowledge I’m going to comply? Definitely the latter. Edward’s too smart. He knows I will agree to his proposition. He knows I don’t have a choice in the matter. This—giving me a few hours—is him creating an illusion I am in control when I’m not. A chance for things to sink in, so I’ll go into this arrangement more willingly.

"Are you sure about this?" Summer asks quietly.

No. But of course, I can’t tell her that.

The girls are in my tiny apartment. Abby and Summer are on the couch. Penny, has taken the sole armchair, and Gio’spulled up one of the barstools from the kitchenette. I’ve been too restless to sit still. I was moved that my girlfriends turned up so quickly, but I also knew it would be pointless telling them I was okay when it was clear from the expression on my face that I'm not.

Edward dropped me off at my apartment building yesterday. Neither of us spoke a word. He focused on driving, and I focused on trying to get my thoughts together. I barely slept last night. When dawn broke, I made myself a cup of tea and wondered how I was going to get through the coming few days.How am I going to get through my life?

Other than my father, the rest of my family won’t care about my marriage. I want to talk things through with my friends, but I signed the agreement last night, which means, I have to keep the details confidential. The minutes ticked on, and with every passing hour, my panic increased. When Gio called me, I tried to appear normal, but she must have seen something in my expression because the next thing I knew, she was at my doorstop, followed by Abby, Summer, and Penny.

"His proposal was very sudden," I murmur.

"No shit. I knew he was up to something when you spilled coffee on him, and he responded by asking you to work for him. And now he wants to marry you.” Gio looks at me with suspicion. “Is he holding something over you? Is that why you agreed to be his wife?”

I glance away, not wanting her to see the confusion in my eyes. Edward is one hell of a good actor, but I can’t say the same about myself. And these are my friends. And now, I’m lying to them.

"It’s nothing like that. I...uh... I fell in love with him. It’s why I’m marrying him.”

“You met him a week ago,” Gio points out..

“It was love at first sight." I hear the defensiveness in my voice and wince. That isn’t very convincing. Judging by the silence behind me, none of my friends believe me, either.

"If you’re in trouble, you can tell us," Penny says in a soft voice. "We can help you. Our husbands?—"

"Wouldn’t hesitate to use their billions to rescue me from a sticky situation, I’m aware." I turn to face them. "And I appreciate the offer. But honestly, it’s nothing of that sort. He… He loves me."Don’t look away. Don’t look away.I lower my eyelashes, and Gio instantly jumps to her feet.

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