d just said, but the logic behind his words felt slippery, impossible to grasp.

ally managed to ask, her v

t made her feel smaller, more vulnerable. "Ethan adores you. He already sees you as someone he can depend on, someone he feels safe with. I w

d. "Complications? Yo

t love. It's about providing Ethan with stability, something neith

l. It wasn't just that it was unexpected-it was absurd. Who offered ma

g to solve all your problems?" Isabel

red. "He needs a mother figure, and you've already become that to him. This m

g her arms defensively. "What am I sup

al security. Comfort. Anything you want. In return, you would agree to

he words tasting strange on her tongue.

s exactly w

r head spinning. "You do

his isn't about liking you. This

her breath. "This has to be the m

ice hardening slightly. "Emotions complicate thing

e. After what had happened with Liam, the thought of opening herself up to anyone again terrified her. She had built wa

ve a lie," she said, he

ange, you get the freedom and security you've always wa

hend it all. "And what happens when the contrac

as a flicker of something in his eyes-uncertainty, per

s heart in the future, just so you

ability of losing another person. That's why I'm offering you this arrangement. I don'

ho already saw her as more than just his nanny. Could she do this t

do that," she said, h

done more for him than anyone else ever has, Isabelle. You've giv

le future. She could leave behind the constant struggle of making ends meet, of worrying about bills and rent. She could ha

t wha

is up?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "What's

abelle. If we agree to this, I'll uphold my end of t

was worth, but she could see he was se

you suddenly have a wife?" Isabelle asked, trying to unders

it, and if they do, we can handle it. I'll make sure everything appears legitimate. You'll attend ev

t her to walk away, to tell him no, that she couldn't be a part of this cold, transactional arrangement. But at the same time, a part of her

he bond they had formed. Could she really walk away from him, knowing

this," she said finally, her

ll the time you need. But don't take too long.

er she stayed, the harder it would be for both of them if she

she made her way through the mansion and out into the cold night air, the drizzle now heavier, she couldn't shak

steps echoing in the stillness, the weight of Al