Page 33 of Never the Bride
There’s immediate panic.
I can’t afford to pay back the funds.
It’s not like I have that kind of money just sitting in my bank account.
The first big payout went to paying for law school, paying for my diabetes when I didn’t have health insurance, helping my mom buy a house, paying for Selena’s life in high school, paying for Selena to go to cosmetology school, and, of course, one hundred thousand went to Hess for his part in the marriage.
Since then, the monthly payments have been used to buy a car, help me buy the condo I’m currently living in, and a small portion a year went to Hess.
“What is it?” Richard asks, reminding me that I’m in a room full of my colleagues and superiors.
“Nothing!” I quickly fold the paper and shove it safely back inside the envelope. “Just a paperwork mix-up with my family’s estate. You know, something filed years ago by a lawyer who’s a friend of the family. Nothing I can’t easily fix myself.”
Jerry laughs. “Sounds like a nuisance that’s below your pay grade.”
“Yes.” I fake a chuckle. “Anyway, should we continue our conversation?”
Richard dives back into his vision for my future with the firm, but the damage is already done. I can’t focus on a word he says. And I definitely can’t tell the man who doesn’t want me to have a family and a career that the marriage I’m not supposed to have is being challenged.
Hess
I remember walkinginto the Waffle House five and a half years ago, seeing Camila in her white dress, and being so nervous about whether or not I was making the right decision to marry her for money. Fast forward to my life now and everything I’ve been able to do with my business, and hands down, I’d say I made the right decision.
That’s what I thought until my girlfriend wouldn’t return my calls, and I was served a legal letter accusing me of being a fraud.
Which I am.
Now I’m majorly questioning my decision-making skills.
I throw the letter on the table in front of Camila before taking a seat across from her. We’re back at the Waffle House. Same booth. Very different life circumstances from the first time we met.
She grabs the paper, quickly scanning. “It says the same thing as mine. They’re challenging the validity of our marriage.”
“So we’re going to jail?” I half-joke, but really, I want to know if an orange jumpsuit is in my future.
“No, but if the judge declares our marriage fraudulent, then we are on the hook to pay everything back.”
“Our marriageisfraudulent.”
“Shh,” she hisses, glancing at the approaching waitress.
“The cat’s out of the bag. Your dad is suing us. I think he knows our marriage is fraudulent.”
The waitress flips her notepad over, flashing me a brilliant smile. “Hey, honey. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the all-star special and a Diet Coke.” I look at Camila. “Want anything?”
“No.”
“Sure thing, sweetie. Anything for you.” The waitress tucks her notepad into her apron. “Coming right up.”
As she walks off, Camila snaps her gaze to me. “She’s hitting on you right in front of me.”
“Her?” I scoff. “Nah, she was just being nice. How come you never order anything here?”
“Gross.” She scrunches her nose as if the Waffle House is beneath her. “But going back to what you just said. My dad is suing for declaratory relief. It’s more like he’s asking the court to say our marriage doesn’t count, so we shouldn’t get the money.”
“So lawsuit-lite?” I smirk. “Like you beinglightly unconsciouson the plane?”
