“That… is that the truth?”
I nod.
“Is it the whole truth?”
I smile and cage her in, my forearms on either side of her head, our bodies almost flush.
“Clever girl,” I whisper. “No,” I tell her honestly. “The whole truth is that in addition to everything I just told you, I’m really looking forward to parading you around Matthew, to have him know I’m fucking his sister, that you’re mine .”
Elena laughs, the sound tinged with desperation. “You’re a fool if you think he’ll care,” she says, her eyes on mine. “But you’re even more of a fool if you think you can buy me like I’m yet another one of your countless assets. There’s nothing I won’t do for my mother, Alexander—but know that even if you own my body, you’ll never own me .”
I smile at her and brush her hair out of her face gently, giddiness filling me at the thought of the look on Matthew’s face. “Oh, he’ll care,” I whisper, “and you will belong to me. It’s not just your body that will be mine, Elena. It’s your every thought, your every dream. Your entire future is mine.”
I can see the tiny cogs in her brain turning, her eyes betraying her helplessness. She wants to fight me and deny my words, but she doesn’t have the power to. I see the way she’s holding herself back and I can’t help but smile. I wonder which words she’s swallowing down right now. What would she be yelling at me if I didn’t hold her mother’s life in my hands?
“What will this entail? Is it a paper marriage?” she asks, her tone resigned. Surprisingly, I don’t like seeing the fight leave her eyes. I don’t enjoy getting my way, watching her give in. That’s a first.
I shake my head. “Not exactly. Kennedys don’t divorce, ever . You’re well aware of that. It’ll be a legitimate marriage. I’ll give you access to all my funds, and I’ll support you the way is expected of me as your husband. I won’t ask much of you. All I ask is that you behave like a good daughter-in-law to my mother, and that you act like a doting wife whenever required in public.”
She nods slowly and looks up at me thoughtfully.
“What about in private?”
“I won’t interfere with your private life as long as you don’t interfere with mine.”
“Does that mean you intend to have… lovers?”
I tense. “No,” I snap. “Neither you nor I will have any lovers . Don’t even fucking dream of cheating, Elena. Don’t even fucking look at another man, you hear me?”
Her eyes widen in surprise and I hate the way she’s looking at me—as though she’s trying to read me. I relax slightly when she nods. I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever catch her straying, but I do know any man that touches her is going to be six foot under before he realizes what’s happening to him. I’ll be damned if I let her treat me the way Jennifer did—the way my father continuously treats my mother. “I won’t be made a fool of, Elena.”
Elena nods, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her eyes on mine. The way she looks at me… I fucking hate seeing the sympathy in her eyes. Elena stands to lose everything, yet it’s me she pities. All thanks to Jennifer. She made a national fucking laughingstock, to the point that a girl that’s lost everything feels bad for me.
“What about divorce? What if one of us falls in love with someone else?” she asks. The mere thought of her leaving me infuriates me, and she isn’t even mine yet.
I shake my head. “It’s not an option. I won’t ever sign the papers. If we were to divorce, my grandfather would disown me without a second thought. I won’t do it. If you agree to this, you’ll agree to a life without love. Think it over carefully.”
She nods and sits in silence. I’m oddly nervous as I watch her face for clues as to how she might be feeling.
“I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
I shake my head. “You do, Elena. If you asked my mother to foot your mother’s bills, she’d likely do it, no questions asked. Probably for as long as you want her to.”
She looks torn.
“Why don’t you take some time to think it over?”
Elena shakes her head. “No. I’d rather spend money that legally belongs to me as your wife than become a charity case and be at your family’s mercy. I need a place to stay, and I want to be 100% sure my mother receives the best care. If I rely on your mother, I’ll only be able to pay for her current level of care for the time being. If I marry you, I can get world renowned doctors to examine my mother, and I could move her into a private facility. So long as you guarantee you won’t ever restrict my access to her or limit the amount of money I get to spend on my mother’s care, I’ll marry you, Alexander. Use me as a pawn in whatever stupid rich-people-game you’re playing. I don’t care. If you help me save my mother’s life, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”
I smile at her. “I promise, Elena. As my wife, money will always be the least of your worries.”
Chapter 13
E lena
I follow Alexander back down in a daze, my heart pounding. I can barely believe I just agreed to marry Alexander Kennedy.
“Elena.”
Sofia’s voice snaps me out of my daze and I pull my hand out of Alexander’s, unaware of when I even grabbed it.
“Lucian filled me in a little on what’s been going on with you. I’ve already called the hospital and paid any outstanding fees. Don’t worry about a thing, my dear.”
I pause and blink back the tears that are gathering in my eyes. She hasn’t seen my mother or me in years, yet she still goes out of her way to help us.
Alexander clears his throat and sends me an inquiring look. I nod at him. Even now that my mother’s hospital fees have been taken care of, I’ll still agree to marry him. He’s right. I wouldn’t feel right letting them spend a fortune in fees without repaying them somehow. Without worrying that their generosity might run out. Marrying Alexander is an easy solution for both of us.
Alexander and I take a seat, and he grabs my hand. “Elena and I decided to get married,” he says simply. He leans back into his seat, as though he didn’t just announce some shocking news.
Sofia doesn’t say anything. She just looks at the two of us, a thoughtful expression on her face. Lucian is the first to respond.
“Fuck, no. Why the hell would you two get married? Elena ?”
I look at him, but I’m not sure how to explain myself. Everything made sense when I discussed it with Alexander, but now I suddenly struggle to express myself.
“Did you agree to marry Alec, sweetie?” Sofia asks me. Her voice is soft and kind, but she fails to hide the concern reflected in her eyes. Part of me worries she might think I’m not good enough for her son, that he can do better. She’d be right. I’m no longer the rich, well-connected heiress I used to be.
“You two have my blessing if you choose to get married.” She glances at Alexander, staring at him thoughtfully for a couple of seconds before nodding. “I’d have added her to the file had I thought of her, so I do approve.”