Cour

ding day would feel this co

thouse, a judge with a neutral expression, and the man she was marrying stan

ed charcoal suit, his gaze unwavering and unreadable. If he had

r simple white dress feeling more like a costume than anything else. T

the judge's words a

e Thomas Randolph to be you

t real. It wasn't love but she needed to

d

s steady when he

, Mary expected some kind of shift inside her-regret,

d onto her finger, and then it w

marriage certificate a

e judge said, though

at it for a moment before placing hers

go,"

she left the courtho

dolph e

o his estat

snuck a glance at Thomas, who was focused on his phone, typing with quick precision. He hadn't spoken

ing, Mary exhaled slowly. She had never

home," Thomas said co

llowed him inside

he city, modern furniture, a beautiful garden, a big pool at the back, and a stai

aking it all in. It was beautif

it and was loosening his tie. He didn't look at her a

e left," he said, nodding toward

separat

eutral. She had expected it, but hearing it m

ing else, a small voice ca

ad

ng on a little boy standing

th

h spaceships on them, his black hair slightly tousled. Bu

Nathan suddenly ran down the stairs

om

y f

the little boy clinging to her like he

. "Nathan." His voice carried a w

s hovering uncertainty over N

y, his little face beaming up a

hroat ti

hought she wa

unreadable. He ran a hand through his ha

n, she

her," Nathan interrup

inside Mar

o his level, her vo

grinned. "Mary," he repeated

, without hesitation, he grabb

hesit

egan, someone was looking at her like she

herself whisperin

prise, kissed her cheek befor

ly, pressing a han

ion was unreadable-but his eyes linger

sily," Thomas sai

ded. "I

s temple. "Just... be gen

voice, but before she could question it, he t

clothes Thomas had bought for her on

act before a sharp, femin

oma

to see a striking blonde woman striding in

ren

trouble. She wore an expensive red dress, designer

nded on Mary, and her l

ckingly. "What are you

ciding to tell her the t

o, he really did get

stiff

r, his jaw tightening. "Flore

see my son, but I guess I walked int

, but she hel

ung, naive, and desperate for money?" She chuckled. "I'll give it

her fist

er surprise,

ting Florence tear into

inside Mar

voice was steady and calm. "And Nathan already like

before she could retort, Nath

om

ned instantly. "What

looked between them before holding Mary'

le

omas watchin

however, w

it looked strained. "We'l

turned on her hee

t out a slow breath. She had a fe