Page 12 of Marry Lies
He sighs and shrugs once. “I suspected. My father has been pressuring me to find someone to marry for months.”
“I’m sorry,” I say slowly, trying to come to terms with it all. “Which century are we living in again?”
“Darling,” my father coos. “Think about it. It’s just one year. Charles has agreed to front you the liquid cash in exchange for a few public outings with Miles as his wife—on paper only, of course. A million dollars, ma chérie. Think of what you could do with that money? Think of how quickly you could get your brand up and running?”
I open and close my mouth. Amilliondollars?
It certainly would change my career. I could start my clothing line with little to no risk. I could hire the expensive, ethical manufacturers. I could import the most eco-friendly textiles. I could source local artisans and make the brand everything I ever dreamed it would be.
While I may not have an MBA, I know that kind of money would solve a lot of my problems. I’ve ran the numbers. I have a ten-year plan but it’s a plan that only existsif and whenI’m able to save enough money to get to that point. However, with a million dollars in liquid cash I wouldn’t need to wait ten years.
With my current plan, I’d need the moneybeforeI began production to safeguard from going under. I’d need employees and marketing campaigns before I had money from sales. None of that is cheap. And,it just so happens to be something I care deeply about. Something I amitchingto do now. Not in ten years. I have a fresh take on affordable and accessible clothing that’s good for the environment—something people can usenow. I have somany aspirations, and all of them cost money. Alotof money.
It’s something my grandmotherbeggedme to do. The one dream she wanted me to follow. With Charles’s money, I could do it. Her death sent me into a tailspin of darkness I’m only just now recovering from. Imagine how great it would feel to be able tofollowthrough with it? To be able to live my dream, doing what I loved,for her?
To help people now instead of in ten or more years?
My eyes rove over to Miles. Whoisthe Ravage family? The name is familiar, but they must be extremely wealthy to be able to lend a client’s daughter a million dollars.
And for what…a fake wife? Miles is certainly attractive. Surely, he could find someone better suited to him.
Why me?
Sitting up straighter, I look between the three men.
Of course. Leave it to them to decide my future.
“No,” I say simply. “I’m sorry, but I refuse to marry a complete stranger for money, even if the money would be nice.”
“Ma chérie,” my father murmurs. “Please, think about it—”
“What can I do to get you to accept the terms?” Charles asks gently.
I see Miles go still in my peripheral vision. I look back at my father and put on my business hat.
“And what, exactly, are the terms?”
Charles clears his throat. “One year. You will live with Miles in his home, and you will accompany him to all events for the year. At the end of it all, you will divorce amicably, and you will both be better for it. You will have the money for your clothing line, and Miles will benefit from your family’s superior reputation. You can’t deny that everyone loves the Deveraux family.”
He’s right.
I hate that he’s right.
People have been fascinated with us ever since my father hit theForbes“Top 100 Most Philanthropic People” list. Not a celebrity, but someone that the public admired. With that admiration came a sort of fascination withme.I’d never seen a paparazzi camera until last year. While there were some hurtful and unflattering articles published about me, for the most part, people were curious about me. Not curious enough to buy the clothes I had up for sale, but…with the Ravage name behind me, maybe I could get enough of a backing. Surely, he had connections.
But no.
Fuck no.
This is crazy.
“Your name would give the Ravage family legitimacy,” Charles says, his voice tinged with sadness.
“Which is funny, considering you’re the reason we need legitimacy,” Miles growls from next to me.
“Do we have a say in this?” I ask, my voice wobbling a bit. “I already said no, and yet we’re still talking about it.” My father opens his mouth to speak, but I continue. “I can’t believe I have to defend myself on this, papa.”
“I’m sorry, ma chérie. Of course Charles and I aren’t going to force anything. This isn’t an arranged marriage. We’re simply…nudging you together. Conveniently. It’s just an idea.”
