Page 137 of The Contract Marriage

I blink. “What?”

She shrugs. “I created dual layers, to make it harder for Hugh to track my business, in case he ever tried. It was important for me to be secretive to carry out my revenge. I don’t work in the wedding business. I work in the funeral business.”

“But ‘ever after’ means…”

“For me, ever after means death. I learned that when I was little. I thought my parents had a fairytale ending, until Deena and Brielle showed up.” Olivia’s voice cracks.

I recall the hollowness in her eyes when she spoke of her mother’s fall and untimely passing. I can only imagine how horrible it must’ve been to not only lose her mother but also see her father move his mistress and illegitimate child into the mansion after her mom was gone—and use her mother’s money to live in luxury.

“You were only ten,” I say softly, my heart aching for the little girl whose life was ripped apart by her father’s selfishness. “Hugh destroyed your childhood innocence. And he’s going to get everything he deserves. I’m not going to lie—I’m glad I was part of your plan to take him down.”

“You’ve always been so good to me.”

“It’s impossible not to be.” I let my eyes roam over her face, from her brilliant sky-blue eyes to the small pert nose that wrinkles when she’s deep in thought and the soft mouth that firms when she’s made up her mind. Every time she focuses her eyes on me, I feel like the only person that matters in the world.

“But being around you made me see that maybe death isn’t the only thing that’s eternal.”

I freeze. My pulse throbs, my heart racing, but caution reins me back in. Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t be stupid. “Okay,” I say slowly.

“I fired Simon.”

What? “Why?”

She continues, “He manipulated me, undermined our relationship. He knew how to reach for my fear and push me into saying things I didn’t really mean.” She squeezes my hand like it’s her lifeline. “When you asked me if I had feelings for you, I was scared. Everything I’ve loved in my life has just…vanished. I couldn’t protect anyone. Mom. My dog.”

I swallow some champagne to wet my parched throat. I don’t recall her saying much about a dog. “What happened to your dog?”

Her face crumbles. “Mom and I rescued a mixed-breed puppy. She was a scared little thing, but grew into such a cute prima donna with some loving care.” An affectionate smile mixed with pain crosses her expression.

I hold her hand tighter. My mind already conjures the image of a young Olivia pouring all her heart into a little puppy who was lucky enough to be adopted by her.

“Pochi was the only one who remained after Mom was gone. Then Brielle… She hit her with a car. She was driving alone, with just a learner’s permit.”

My blood turns to ice. “Oh, no…”

“Pochi didn’t make it. Hugh insisted it was an accident, that she jumped in front of the car, but that dog had never done anything like it before. She had a fine instinct for survival and danger. She never would have…” Olivia’s voice breaks. “But before I could think to report or complain to the authorities, Hugh deleted all the security footage and had the car washed. Pochi was immediately cremated, and I never got to say goodbye, just like I never got a chance to say a proper farewell to my mom.” Olivia’s chin quivers.

Good God. I can’t begin to imagine the kind of agony Olivia must’ve suffered. Woman or not, I should’ve punched Brielle too when I smashed Tyler’s face. I pull my wife into my arms.

“Deena had already pulled me out of my regular school, given my spot to her daughter, and I didn’t really have many friends at the new place. And then Brielle started to steal my boyfriends too. It felt like I couldn’t keep anything I cared about. I told myself I’d rather be alone than lose a loved one again because each loss strips away a slice of your soul.”

I press kisses on her crown. I wish I could think of something eloquent to comfort her with, but I can’t. How do you fix wounds this deep and painful?

“Then you came along,” she says, looking up at me with tears glittering in her eyes. “I was scared shitless. What if I lost you too? I didn’t think I could bear it. When Simon led me to call you a pawn, I was speaking from fear. I could keep going, keep playing the game if I just lost a pawn, right? So you had to remain as inconsequential as possible. But when you left, I realized you were the king, Liam. Lose the king, and you lose everything.”

Tears start to slide down her cheeks.

“I’m still scared, Liam, but not being with you scares me more. We’re going to be okay, right? We can have the kind of ever after people think of?” Her voice shakes toward the end.

Her raw confession clenches my pounding heart. I place my forehead against hers, and we share the same salty air. “Olivia, you’ll never be alone. I’ll be with you, every step of the way.” I pull out the starburst ring. Small yellow rocks surround the round twenty-six-carat stone like flames. “Olivia, you’ve already married me. Now will you love me?”

Her lashes flutter as she looks at the ring, then lifts her eyes to stare up into mine. A tremulous smile curves her lips. “My answer is up in the sky.”

I tilt my head. Against the dark sky are two sentences:

OLIVIA KINGSWOOD LOVES LIAM KINGSWOOD

LIAM, WILL YOU BE MINE FOREVER?