Page 39 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

“Look pleased,” he muttered quietly.

“I just learned your last fiancée vanished into thin air.”

“Look pleased that you haven’t.”

The camera flashed.

Augustus let out a dry, raspy chuckle. “The girl has teeth.”

“So did the last one,” Victor added smoothly.

Damien’s grip tightened on her waist.

Aria maintained her dazzling smile for the next flash while speaking through gritted teeth. “If one more person speaks about Celeste like she’s buried in your basement, I’m walking out.”

“You don’t even know where my basement is.”

She turned her head to face him. “Was that supposed to be a joke?”

“No.”

The shutter clicked, capturing the intense, locked gaze between them. To the press, it would look like burning passion. Aria wondered if every convincing photograph of love was simply two people guarding the same dangerous secret.

Afterward, Augustus requested a private word with Aria. Damien immediately objected.

“If your marriage is legitimate,” the old man countered, “your wife does not require your permission to speak with me.”

Aria watched the silent battle of wills pass between them.

“Five minutes,” Damien said strictly.

“I didn’t ask for your permission,” Aria informed him.

Damien’s eyes narrowed on her. “There are no cameras running now, Aria.”

“Good. Then I don’t have to pretend you’re charming.”

Augustus led her into the judge’s private chambers. The double doors remained slightly open, with Damien visible at the end of the corridor, watching like a hawk.

“He will count every second,” Augustus remarked, leaning on his cane.

“Does everyone in this family take pleasure in warning me about him?”

“Warnings allow us to claim innocence when things go wrong.”

Aria studied the matriarchal figure. “Did you force him into this marriage?”

“I established a structural requirement. Damien chose his own solution.”

“He chose me fourteen months ago—long before I knew there was a choice to be made.”

Interest sparked in Augustus’s pale eyes. “Fourteen months?”

“At least.”

Augustus turned his head toward the corridor, his gaze resting on his grandson. Something dark and grim settled over his weathered face. “Then this is far worse than I imagined.”

“What is?”