Chapter 29

29

June

"You thought you could get away by getting hitched on the sly?" Zoey waltzes in. She's wearing a pale green dress whose cut is complimentary to mine. It feels like it was stitched for her, too. It looks like the kind of dress a bridesmaid would wear.

"And how are you?—"

"Dressed so that I match the vibe of your dress?" She laughs. "Knox had it delivered to me early this morning."

Knox did that? I frown. "Did he?—"

"He told me he realized his mistake and that he couldn't marry anyone else but you. He said he decided not to go ahead with the arranged marriage proposed by his grandfather. That he'd proposed, and that you'd accepted. He also confirmed he'd arranged to have the wedding ceremony today, at his penthouse, so he could then announce it to his grandfather and his family as a fait-accompli."

He mentioned he wanted to keep it a surprise from his family to ensure his grandfather didn't pull any last-minute shenanigans to stop the wedding. He emphasized how important it was to keep the proceedings under wraps. Yet he invited Zoey to the wedding. Did he realize I'd feel lonely? Did he think I'd want some company to back me up? The thoughts whirl around in my head.

Zoey must notice the play of expressions on my face for her forehead wrinkles. "Is everything okay? This is what you want, right?"

Rachel looks between us. "I'll leave you two alone." Then she turns to Zoey. "Will you bring her to the conservatory in ten minutes? I'll delay things until then."

"Thank you," I murmur.

Zoey smiles and nods. When Rachel leaves, she turns on me. "Tell me everything. I thought you and Knox didn't get along. In fact, I was sure you were going to quit the job. Next thing I hear, you're getting married. And you didn't even tell me!"

I hesitate. "It was a surprise, even to me," I say honestly.

She purses her lips. "These Davenport men are sneaky. I was worried it would end up like this for you."

"You were?"

She tosses her head. "Knox is your boss, and a hottie. And while he was obnoxious toward you, it was clear when I saw the two of you together that the sparks between the two of you were off-the-charts, too. And having seen Skylar getting hitched to Nathan Davenport, and more recently, Vivian to Quentin Davenport— I'm aware that old man, Arthur Davenport, would do anything to get his sons and grandsons married off. So yeah, it crossed my mind that, given how you and Knox are attracted to each other, perhaps he'd find a way to convince you to marry him."

And he did.

She must notice the expression on my features for her gaze widens. "Oh my god, that's what he did, didn't he? He managed to find a way to give you something you want in return for your marrying him."

I blow out a breath. "He promised to set up my family for life. They'll never have to worry about money again."

Her mouth drops open, and her eyes widen. "Wow, that's really something. I understand how that's an offer that'd be hard to refuse. What, you couldn't work me into the negotiation, too?" she teases.

I laugh before continuing, " And he promised to help me find my birth family. It's something I've been trying to do for a while now but haven't had any luck.'

"I had no idea," she says slowly.

"It's not a big deal." I raise my shoulder, then massage my temple. "Okay, it is a big deal. It's not that I have to know who my parents are, but it's going to help me a lot if I do. It's going to fill in the blanks for me, you know? It's such a big part of my identity…" I trail off.

"Oh honey, I understand," She closes the distance to me and takes my hand in hers. "But is it worth marrying him?"

I shrug. "I've thought about it, and honestly, I don't see why not. There are only benefits to it, not the least of which is that I get access to enough money to take care of Irene, Jillian and Ethan."

She opens her mouth to say something, but I shake my head. "I know, money isn't everything. But I'd never forgive myself if I didn't use this opportunity to make sure it benefits them. It'll change their lives in ways nothing else can. Also…" I turn away from her to survey myself in the mirror again. "Also, yes, I'm attracted to him. And I have a feeling when I sleep with him it's going to be the best sex of my life." Assuming he goes against one of the conditions of the marriage which, if it were up to me, he'd break. Guess somewhere between last night and this morning, I've come to the decision that if I'm marrying him, then I'm going to benefit from all of the advantages of the relationship.

I meet Zoey's gaze in the mirror to find her smirking.

"What?" I frown.

"I hate to say I told you so, but—" She holds up her hands, palms facing me. "But hey, much as I wish you weren't rushing into this, again, having seen how happy Skylar and Vivian are, perhaps Knox will make you happy."

I shrug. "Perhaps," I say in a noncommittal voice.

That's when the door opens and Irene walks. I gasp. My ma's here. Oh my God, I was missing her so much, and here she is. Tears prick the backs of my eyes.

She smiles and comes toward me with her arms outstretched. "My baby, you look so beautiful!"

"How did you find out?" I cry.

Her smile widens. "Knox called me."