Page 15 of Beautiful Lies

The file says fragile.Ordinary. But the woman I met yesterday didn’t look fragile, and there was nothing ordinary about her, either. Files can’t record defiance. And they can’t capture the way her pulse jumped when her eyes met mine.

She reminded me of her father in ways. She has his confidence but a sharper edge to her personality. That seemed to be all her because her mother appeared meek.

Isla just turned twenty-five, the same age I was when the scandal broke. She would have been seventeen at the time. It's strange to think how young and naïve she must have been about what was really happening. And in some ways still is.

I scroll down and stop at a picture of her standing beside a painted backdrop she created for a show. Colors of dusk and autumn bleed into gold. It’s beautiful. Beautiful in a way that doesn’t belong here, in a file markedDebt Settlement.

I’ve never met a scenic artist before. It’s the kind of career most people don’t think about. The average person pictures an artist in a gallery, not backstage painting worlds other people escape into.

Her art is the only thing in this file that feels real, like I’m looking at pieces of the real her.

I exhale slowly and drag a hand over my jaw, pushing the thought away.

Curiosity is dangerous. It softens a man’s edge. I can’t afford softness, not where Isla Monroe is concerned.

Whatever she was before this—artist, daughter,dreamer—none of it matters. She has until tomorrow to sign the contract. Once she does, the ledger between our families will finally balance.

The logical part of me knows this arrangement is bizarre. But logic doesn’t erase what John Monroe did. Now, his daughter sits on the other side of the wreckage, paying the price for a man who’s not even alive to answer for it.

Some would call that cruel.

I call it balance.

A light knock sounds on the door, followed by the soft click of it opening. Dorian steps inside without waiting for permission.Typical.

His suit’s immaculate, his expression unreadable. Dorian carries control the way most men carry weapons. Hidden but lethal when drawn.

“Still playing with your food?” He glances at the computer, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I look up at him. “You always assume I’m playing when I’m planning.”

“Planning?Right.” He stops before my desk and cocks his head. “Not usually when it comes to women. You know what they say about mixing business with pleasure.” Dorian never wastes a moment, not even when he’s joking.

“Good thing I’m not in the mood for pleasure.”

He arches one skeptical brow. “Sure you’re not.” Moving closer, he studies the screen over my shoulder, taking in Isla’s photo. His smirk deepens. “Looks like dessert to me. Although, I have to admit she’s not your type. Never known you to like the artsy kind. She’s beautiful, though.”

“You know this is personal for me.”

“That’s why I came to check in.” His tone cools, sliding back into business. “Thought we could talk before the Beaumont meeting.” He narrows his eyes. “You went home straight after work yesterday and didn’t message me back.”

Because I knew he’d want to talk about things I still needed to process. Like the whole marriage arrangement. He’d never do what I’m doing. None of my brothers would.

Dorian doesn’t want to get married ever. And Locke and Levi are playboys who have no plans to date seriously, let alone attach themselves to one woman. I don’t know how that’s going to go down with our father, who expects us to tie the knot with respectable women to produce the next generation of Vale heirs. The only person who’s safe—for the moment—is Adaline. But I’m certain Dad will arrange her marriage when that time comes.

“What do you want to talk about?” I ask, keeping my tone relaxed, as if I don’t already know what’s on his mind.

That brow slides up again. “Are you good?”

“I’m fine.” I nod, giving him a nonchalant smile. “Why? This is the best idea I’ve had in years.”

“Agreed. I just wanted to make sure you’re good with it.” He nods once. “One minute, I was handing you the files showing John’s treachery, and the next, you’re getting married to his daughter. Even you have to admit that’s a little fucked up.”

I chuckle. “I’m fine, Dorian.”

“It’s just that… marriage is kind of a big deal. Even short term.” His eyes widen slightly before he lets out a short laugh. “You’re not so different from me when it comes tothatsubject. Have you even been in a relationship for six months?”

“You know I haven’t.” My longest relationship was three months, and I still considered that a fling. “This is about business. And it’s only six months of my life. I’ll live. I’ve done worse things for longer.”