Page 113 of Unwritten Rules

That makes fuck all sense. Don’t rain on my parade, prick!

HENRY

All I’m saying is, when it comes to Layla, expect the worst…

Ouch, that’s got to sting, but…he isn’t wrong.

ME

I have to agree with sourpuss over there. Sorry, Cade.

And it’s chickens, idiot. Don’t count your *chickens* before they hatch.

The dots pop up instantly, and I can’t stop the smirk that appears on my face. Henry has to be the easiest man to wind up on the face of the earth.

HENRY

Chickens, ducks, pigeons, storks – who cares. Stop being such a nit-picky wanker.

CADEN

Storks, DeMarco? What the actual fuck?

I snort before exiting the conversation and continue to scroll.

There’s a reminder about an Arts Appreciation event tomorrow evening that I’ve agreed to do for Walden-Forbes. I groan to myself, wondering how the fuck Branson Higgins managed to rope me into a public speaking event when I’ve successfully avoided them for the past eight damn years.

Fuck. My. Life.

I have to give it to him, though. The man is relentless in his pursuit of making his tenure the most outstanding Chancellorship in the history of Walden-Forbes.

My emails are full to brimming with students requesting extra tutelage. All female. All failing my class miserably, yet when I’ve checked with their other professors, the majority are beyond capable, bordering on excellent in some subjects.

Sandersons. I need this contract to fucking end!

As I’m contemplating how I could possibly manage to worm my way out of next year’s contract, an email pops up from my solicitor at Lloyd and Harrington law firm in London.

I tap on it immediately, all else forgotten in my pursuit of getting Zara fucking Harrison out of my life for good.

Sender: Ari Reyes

([email protected])

Recipient: Nathaniel Hawthorne

([email protected])

Good afternoon, Nate,

I shall cut right to the chase. Unfortunately, the paperwork is indeed legal. Therefore, your father’s stipulation that you marry his widow in order to retain your legal rights as heir to the Hawthorne estate is legitimate.

We shall continue to do everything on our end to fight this. I have filed a gag order this afternoon, which should be in place for Zara at some stage this evening or tomorrow at the latest.

All is not lost. Trust me, Nate.

Ari

I heave a heavy breath, holding it in while I close my eyes and rest my head against the back of the armchair.