Page 30 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“Logan is harmless, although I suspect he may have taken mushrooms from one of our regulars at the bar. He works at Grumpy’s and has, surprisingly, been a blessing in disguise, even if he does some crazy things. He is best friends with one of Chad’s roommates. Logan has been covering shifts for me when I need it, and he even works with me to make my life easier when Chad can’t be there,” she explains.

I listen intently as she speaks. She captivates me. But one thing stands out from what she said.

“Why are you still working if we are married? I have more money than you’d ever need, and as you are now my wife, you are entitled to it.”

I’m an asshole, but notthatmuch of an asshole. I may not have known about our marriage until an hour ago, but I still look after what’s mine, and Ralph knows that. He has access to all my accounts, and honestly, I haven’t been looking, so he could have easily set her up an account without me knowing.

“There’s a prenup,” she says quietly.

“A prenup protects my assets if we divorce,” I respond, confused.

“Not this one. It states that the only financial support I’m entitled to is medical insurance. If you haven’t figured it out yet, that’s what’s in it for me. I didn’t want to do this, but I had no choice. I’m tired of fighting with a healthcare system that won’t listen to me. Ralph knows my struggles and offered this alternative to help me. The condition of the prenup is that you will continue to pay my health insurance for two years after we divorce. I need to work to pay my expenses and save for any admissions or procedures I may need. Ralph tried to cover the procedures as well, however I wouldn’t budge. I feel bad enough for taking the couple of thousand dollars a year that you will be paying for my insurance.” She wipes a stray tear from her cheek and looks out the window.

The wall I’d put up cracks a little further.

She’s done this for 2K a year. That’s it. What is this girl going through that makes her marry a stranger for so little? My thoughts drift back to what Ralph said. It makes me wonder . . . Do I already know what’s going on with her?

I press the button to lower the privacy screen to talk to Ralph.

I don’t really know her, but I can see she isn’t trying to hurt me. If anything, she is trying to help me, even though I’m practically a stranger.

“Ralph, please give Ella access to the Expense account.”

She looks at me again, shaking her head. “That’s not necessary.”

She tries to argue, but I cut her off. “It absolutely is necessary. You are my wife, and when this gets made public—itwillhappen, given who my father is—I would be expected to look after you.”

“No...” she tries again, but there is no point.

I will win this, and I think secretly she already knows. So, I tone it down and choose not to go completely macho on her.

“I won’t force you to stop working at Grumpy’s, yet, but there will be conditions while I’m away. We will discuss it again when I return, but for the time being, Ralph or Shamus will drive you to and from work. I’d prefer you to work the morning or afternoon shifts if you can work them around your school schedule. Ralph can help co-ordinate it with Chad.” I pause, expecting some sort of outburst, but Ella just stares at me and nods.

“From here on out, your rental agreement is terminated.” I look up and Ralph meets my stare in the rearview mirror, acknowledging what I’ve said. “You will no longer be required to pay rent and utilities. You are free to use any of the facilities inside the house, and you will have access to my room. Ralph will add your print to the house scanners when you get back, although I have a feeling you already know your way around inside. Most importantly, I want you to understand without a shadow of a doubt...”

I find her eyes and make sure she pays attention to the last thing I’ll say about this. Something has changed inside of me and I’m feeling inexplicably possessive. Despite being on my way to rehab and having no idea what the future holds, deep down, Iknowit includes the girl sitting beside me.

That thought bolsters me for what I’m about to say next. It may be pushing the envelope, but I’ve never been one to do things by halves.

I hold her gaze. Staring deep into her eyes, past the pain, I say without hesitation, “What’s mine, is now yours. Till death do us part.”

Ella

Arden’s words have been replaying through my head for the last two weeks.

“What’s mine, is now yours. Till death do us part.”

How could he make that declaration when he didn’t even remember the conversations we’ve had almost every night for months?

He had no idea who I was, and he should have been pissed that he had been tricked into a marriage just so we could get him the help he so desperately needed.

But he turned the tables with his not-so-subtle demands and his departing statement.

He was right as well. It hit the news the day after he was admitted. We haven’t found out who leaked the story, but it really was just a matter of time. Students noticed he was missing from school, and people talk. However, we were assured the news wouldn’t reach him in the facility. Ralph had already clued in Arden’s dad when we got back from dropping him off, so Mr Blakely stopped by to chat with me.

I tell you what,thatwas a nerve-wracking conversation. I honestly expected him to yell and scream, so I asked Ralph to stay with me while we spoke .

Instead, he surprised me, just as his son did. He was grateful. Mr Blakely thanked me and insisted he would do everything in his power to make sure I was taken care of, even if Arden decided he wanted a divorce when he was released. He also emphasised the importance of making it seem like we were together, despite the fact that technically we weren’t.

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