Page 64 of Dex

Attendance will be limited to immediate family, key business associates, and select high-society figures.The event will be elegant, controlled, and executed with precision.

The media coverage will be strictly managed to ensure the correct narrative is presented.

Daniela, I understand your parents may wish to incorporate certain traditions.Within reason, some accommodation can be made.

My sons and I will arrive the day before the wedding, and we will return the day after the wedding.

There will be no honeymoon.

This is a high-profile event, and I expect both of you to conduct yourselves accordingly.There is no room for complications or delays.We all have businesses to run, and this event must not get in the way.

Paul Knight

“Two weeks?”I gasp.I knew this was moving fast, but I hadn’t expected this fast.

“Screw him,” Dexter mutters.

“How can he do that?We need thirty days.”

Dexter lets out a humorless chuckle.“My father can do anything.He’s taken care of it, if you reread the bit about him expediting the marriage license and securing a judge.He’s paid someone to get this done fast.”

I take a steadying breath.“He thinks my parents want me to get married at the family home.I’m sure he put that idea in their heads—”

“That’s my father,” Dexter says, annoyingly.

I grit my teeth.“I know what my parents would prefer.They want a church wedding.”

“I’m sorry, Daniela.”Dexter’s voice is soft and reassuring.“This isn’t a real wedding.We’re playing a part.Actors in a production to fool family and friends and the business community.”

Something about the way he says it, so detached, so dismissive, grates on me.I think about the kiss we shared.The words we shared.It didn’t feel like an act then.

“Getting married at my family home is fine.This is just temporary.It’s not real,” I say flatly, forcing myself to get used to this, even though it’s already starting to leave a bitter taste in my mouth.I reread the email again, my stomach twisting.I blink at the screen.I can’t believe it.“Your father just spelled out our entire wedding in a cold, detached email.”

“Welcome to the Knight family.”

He’s said this before, many times, and now, more than ever, I wonder what kind of trap I’ve walked into.He looks at me.“You wanted this,” he reminds me.“You flew all the way from Brazil for this.”

There’s a bite to his words.He sounds annoyed.I turn to him, studying his profile.What’s gotten into him?This isn’t the man who kissed me.This isn’t the man who let his guard down in front of me tonight.

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