on's

le, I sat on my shabby couch. My chest felt constricted, and

rriage? T

st with the money. I could locate a nicer place to live, pay off my

y hair, I whispered to myself

ntageous to both parties. I'd receive well, let's just say it wou

on in his eyes. He wasn't doing this for frie

more than simply busines

forward: total discretion, no genuine emotional involvement, and one year of marria

t someone I cou

llowing morning. Every step felt more difficult than the last

I heard a smooth voice s

ng against the wall. His smile was disarming but had a hint of s

ing," I sa

e my way to my desk, he questione

id, trying to

Vincent remarked, "I hear you've been

p to. "He's, my boss. Spending time

ful, Sharon. Donald has a way of pulling people into his

not sure I kno

is voice lowering to a whisper. "Don't let h

hen Vincent stood up and walk

turn against Donald, or w

, Sharon.

ugh the bustle of the office. My heart sprang into m

, his face inscrutable. I gripped the notebook

remarked, "You've had time to

ll don't know. I need more t

r. "There is no more time for you.

o remain composed, but my v

ertain things are in motion, and I need th

there was a tinge of urgency, perh

? I asked, hardly raising

will miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime chanc

down on me like a

ing." "It's not only about me. This is about us. If you agree, you'll b

sentence, but the i

said, his tone firm again. "But by t

tum running in my thoughts. I felt like a tautly stru

mplicity. Sign it, and my life would alter forever. Refuse,

The terms were explicit. No love, n

old myself. It's o

emed genuine.

hat to do. I inhaled deeply, reached for a pe

f comfort and horror a

d de

signature on the contract. When my phone buzzed on the coffee table

d's m

office promptly at 8 a

. Now it was genuine.

put the contract back on the table. What had I just done? Would I be

omewhere deep inside: You've