Page 74 of It Happened in Vegas

I turned back to Sophie after the door closed behind him, seething. “If you knew about the marriage clause then marrying me in Vegas takes on an entirely new meaning, doesn’t it? You used me. You’re no better than Starla and all of the other women who see me as a launchpad to something better.”

“No. I’m not. How can you even say that? Besides, I knew our marriage was fake.”

“Exactly. It was all fake.” I tossed the soggy towel onto the counter and headed toward the back door.

“But as soon as we act out our break up for Melanie on camera, I can go to him and explain that we’re not married. He can keep the money and the company. All I care about is you.”

“I’m sorry. I need some space.” I almost reached the door until Melanie’s voice barged in.

“Hold on, Keaton. I have some news you’re going to want to hear.” Her ominous tone should have made me sprint out the door, but I turned back, wondering what more drama could be packed into this night.

“Were you listening at the door this whole time?” Sophie shrieked.

“Anything you heard in here about Sophie’s life is private, do you understand? If a single word about her past ends up on the show, we’ll sue.” As upset as I was, I couldn’t help but defend her. I marched back to her side and crossed my arms, like I couldn’t help myself but be her knight in shining armor.

“Melanie, please leave us alone. Don’t you think Keaton and I have been through enough tonight?” Sophie begged, sobbing, but Melanie wouldn’t be deterred.

She handed Sophie a paper towel. “I know you two must think I’m a monster. I don’t blame you if you did. But it’s all this pressure to succeed as a woman in Hollywood. I’ve been pursuing this career for ten very long years?—”

“If you don’t mind, could you get to the point,” I warned through gritted teeth.

“Oh, sure. It turns out, your wedding wasn’t fake after all.”

Both of our jaws dropped at the same time. I recovered fast. “What game are you playing now?” I scowled.

“No. I’m being honest here. The actor we hired to play your officiant at the wedding, really is an officiant. Only we didn’t know that at the time, I swear it. He signed over a real certificate of marriage after the fact. You have a real license, the ceremony was legit. So… you’re married. Congratulations.” She grinned between us like we owed her the world for this great news, and handed documents over to me. I rifled through them, notarized affidavits from the wedding officiant, and various documents from the studio legal department begging us not to sue them.

“Married? Real?” Sophie could hardly breathe. “That means?—”

“That you can march back out there and tell Griffin West that you’ll take your share of the company and become super rich? Yes.” Melanie gloated.

“I don’t care about that. What about us?” Sophie turned to me, questions filling her eyes.

“A minute ago I was headed out the door, too overwhelmed learning the truth abut you. Now, I learn we’ve been married this entire time. I—” I stopped and glared at Melanie. I gestured toward the door. “You. Go. While I appreciate you bringing this to our attention, if you don’t mind giving us some privacy please? I think you’ve done enough damage for one night.”

She sauntered to the door hands up in surrender. “Okay. Fine. But I want an exclusive interview to wrap this all up. You two don’t have to divorce, but share the details on what happens next. I can see the promos now, Lost Heiress Found.”

“Leave and please take Starla with you.”

“But the interview?—”

“Don’t call us. We’ll be in touch,” I snorted and practically shut the door in her face. I paced the room, breathing deep, trying to calm down and clear my head.

Finally, alone with Sophie, my heart ached for her.

For mywife…

“So your secret legacy caught up to you. Why didn’t you just tell me who you were in the first place?"

"I was going to when the time was right. If it makes you feel better, even Maisy doesn’t know. It’s not something I talk about. The long lost princess of West Games was a part of my life I tried to leave behind.”

“Why? What was so bad about it?”

“My stepfather turned into this lunatic. Everything became about the business. Kids used to tease me, then in high school guys only wanted to date me because we were rich. Then after the kidnapping attempt, I got scared. It was traumatizing. To this day, I avoid white vans if at all possible.”

The documentaries said Sophie had done the right thing, kicking and screaming, biting and pushing, all to get out of the van before they shut her in it. My throat constructed that she had to go through that.

“I hid away, changed schools, changed my name. Anything not to be associated with that family.” She took a shaky breath. "I could have worked for West Games right out of college if I wanted, and have all the money, all the prestige, every good thing a rich woman living in New York City can buy. But there’s a part of me that always wanted to build something that was mine. Not just inherit something I didn’t earn and didn’t want.”

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