I thought of my Grayson.
“Is that what they tell you?” I said, catching her eyes as she tightened a diamond pendant at my neck. “This is romantic? You are nothing more than another piece of property. If it was romantic, you would stand beside him, not behind him. You wouldn’t be beaten until you forget how to speak. You wouldn’t need an archaic tradition to keep other men’s hands off you. But you’ll get the holidays. So there’s that.”
Her brows caved, just as the lawyer from the first week came into the room, briefcase in hand.
My girl faded from my back like the fog outside, rolling from the hills into the sky.
“Have you decided?” the lawyer asked, directing me to the table we’d first sat at.
She laid out both options just like she had two weeks ago, only now I was expected to sign them.
“Two weeks is not enough time, sir,” I jerked my head to the side, where Madame stood as a shadow in the doorway, West across from her.
“Story?” The lawyer tapped the paper with a pen.
“One. I choose…” I took a deep breath. “I choose option one.”
It was the only option I could choose, but my hand shook as I signed the papers.
“I implore you—”
Once again my attention drifted to the doorway, where Madame shot me a vexatious look.
West raised a hand, stepping into the room. “She’s ready.”
The lawyer rose, putting away the now signed paper.
“Welcome to the du Lac family—Mr. du Lac.” She nodded her head at West who’d joined us.
Her words struck me—no one had ever welcomed me to the du Lac family when I’d been married to West—and I swallowed thick at her advice.
West gave me a hand, lifting me from the chair. “Are you ready, Angel?”
Was I ready?
As a mistress, I couldn’t speak unless spoken to, my place was written as second. Somehow I’d need to find the strength to be seen, to live with dignity, while being the most shameful and hidden I’d ever been.
If I don’t, the person I want to be, the dream I have for Grayson and I, will disappear completely.
West’s hand came to my collarbone, fingering the new diamond pendant that had replaced my golden heart.
Was I ready? I don’t know.
Two weeks of training had made me the girl behind the girl.
The second choice.
I lifted my eyes, meeting his in the dusty window.
Invisible and unloved…officially.
Nine
STORY
We were just an hour outside of Crowne Point. Snow already frosted the plane windows.
Anticipation was fireflies in my gut.