VALERIE
I clench my fists and stare down at Christian's signature scrawled on the document after he just stormed out.
My lips force themselves to pretend like I'm happy about this. Just like that, ink to paper, I've been sold off to a man who hates the idea of me being around him.
For a moment, I was ridiculously scared he wouldn't go through with this. I don't want this alliance either, but I just have to...
For Sam's well-being.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Turner," Christian's lawyer says with a warm smile, his hand outstretched.
I shake hands with him, mirroring a convincing grin. My mother always said I'd make a good actress.
"Thank you, Mr. Dimitri."
"If you could wait a few minutes, I'll finalize the marriage certificate."
"Oh, of course. I'll be waiting outside."
He nods. I roll up the folding sleeve of my glove as I step out of the courtroom, my eyes immediately scanning around for Christian.
A wave of relief washes over me when I see his Mercedes still parked. I squint, searching the lot for him until I spot him across the street carrying Lizzy by his side as he heads toward the city park.
I cross the busy road and run after him, my stilettos making it unbearable for me.
When Christian's mother, Nicole, had given me this dress and shoes earlier today, I was stunned. I was only ever used to coveting women who wore such fancy clothes. The look in her eyes when she insisted I wear the stilettos made my stomach churn with guilt.
What would happen if she found out the whole re-meeting between her husband and my father was orchestrated to extort them?
"Christian!" I call just as he's walking into the park.
When he turns around and frowns at me, I pause, holding my aching chest as I pant. "I thought you'd leave without me."
He turns back around and keeps walking. "You could have just waited in the car."
"No!" Lizzy coos cutely. "Me, Daddy, and Mummy will get ice cream together."
"Ice cream?" I look up at the back of Christian's head. "Lizzy just recovered from a cold last week."
Christian's jaw clenches. "A little ice cream won't hurt." He inclines his head and gives me an indecisive look. "You were the reason she caught that cold in the first place, remember?"
I look away, not pushing it. Lizzy tries to defend me, which makes me smile while Christian only rolls his eyes.
We'd both fallen asleep late on his couch while watching Cocomelon. I dozed off five minutes in, forgetting Lizzy was still on the ground. She'd slept there. I'd woken up to see Christian hovering above me with a deep scowl.
"Two vanilla and chips," he tells the vendor, then glances at me standing beside him. "Choose the flavor you'd like."
I look at the display. "I'll have the same order as his."
My phone rings in my purse. I take it out. The color drains from my face immediately.
Father.
"I'll be back."
I walk behind a tree in the park. Inhaling sharply, I swipe accept.
"Has the marriage been finalized?" he queries immediately.
My grip on the phone tightens. "Yes, Father."
"Very good!" He exhales with a triumphant chuckle. "I thought Christian would mess things up."
My gaze flickers over to Christian, who's moving away from the ice cream stand. His brown eyes are scanning the park until they land on me.
"Just be a loyal wife and don't get on his nerves, and we can make a fortune off this marriage."
Something ticks inside me. "There's no we in this, Father. I only agreed to this because of Sam's health."
"Look, Valerie, his condition requires that we have a huge amount of money for the rest of our lives, so you better not mess things up."
I scoff. Both he and I know he didn't hatch this plan for Sam's sake. He had enough money to save Mother's life, but instead, he squandered it on women and drugs.
My heart races with an emotion I've buried too deep to want to remember. Time has passed, the wounds are almost healed. There's no use reopening them.
"I need to get going. See you later." I end the call and slip my phone into my bag.
I walk to Christian, who's sitting on an iron bench, cleaning Lizzy's lips with a napkin.
"I'll wait in the car. I'm feeling a bit lightheaded."
He narrows his eyes at me. I look away as his gaze scrutinizes my face. He nods with a light shrug.
"Who's going to eat your ice cream?" Lizzy whines, pouting in disapproval.
"I'll have it in the car." I collect the ice cream from Christian and kiss Lizzy's forehead to cheer her up.
Heading out, I throw the ice cream into a trash can, my smile melting away.
I wish Lizzy wouldn't have to be part of this mess.