Page 17 of Malicious Marriage
Her chin quivers slightly as she breathes in, then her gorgeous, full lips part and her tongue darts out to swipe along the swell of her lower lip. “Rumor or reputation says that you’re a family known for killing anyone who gets in your way. That you have no patience or understanding for even the slightest mistake. And…” She hesitates.
“And?” I press gently. It’s important for me to know what she thinks of me based on rumor. After all, I’m well aware of my family’s reputation.
“Cruelty,” she says, her tone low. “That crazy runs in your blood after what your brother did to that girl.”
There it is. It was foolish of me to hope thatsomehowthat rumor didn’t make it to her ears, but there’s barely a soul alive who hasn’t heard it by now. “So you know.”
“I’m not saying I believe any of that,” Clover says hurriedly. “I just… you asked.”
“I did.” I drink slowly and savor the biting chill of the drink, then lean back in my chair. “I’m going to be honest with you, Clover.”
She shifts in her seat but says nothing.
“My ex-girlfriend is pregnant with my child, but we are no longer together because she cheated on me three times.”
Clover’s mouth falls open but she’s polite enough to stay quiet.
“Twice in the same bar on the same night, and the third time, I stopped her from climbing into bed with a guy. The details aren’t important…” It’s difficult to keep the licks of anger out of my voice. “But it was eye-opening to see how she was only with me for my money and the power my family has. As soon as I clocked what her game was, she immediately started screaming from the rooftops that she was going to end up like the girl my brother was with.”
Clover shifts in her chair once again. “Can… Can I ask what happened? With your brother?”
This is promising. Rather than either flat out believing the rumor or trying to appease me, Clover’s seeking information. I can only give her what I know, though. “The fire that killed my older siblings is pretty infamous at this point,” I say, forcing a small smile. “I don’t know much. I know my sister was at a party and when my older brother and I turned up to collect her, a fire broke out in the building. He ran in to save her and when he didn’t come out, I ran in to save them both. Unfortunately, I couldn’t.”
Clover nods slowly, her attention fixed on me.
“It was only after the body of the pregnant girl was found that those rumors started. My brother wasn’t dating anyone to my knowledge, and we never found any evidence to support the claim that he was, but the rumor mill had their hooks in him and didn’t let go. Somehow, his act of running in to save my sister and other partygoers got twisted into him running in to make sure that girl never made it out because he didn’t want to be a father. The truth was lost.” My voice quavers slightly and I clear my throat. “So you can imagine how much ammo Trisha, my ex, has to make people view her sympathetically, and it’s working in my own organization too.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” Clover asks softly. “Outside of because I asked but… I feel like there’s another point here.”
“There is.” Perceptive. “I do want a family, and I will do everything in my power to protect and raise my child, but I need Trisha to get the memo that I have no interest in her. My advisers are pushing me to forgive her and commit to her in order to join together two strong families. I hate it. I hate not being listened to or treated as some mule that’s just there to care for and provide for everyone else just because they tell me to, regardless of how I’m treated.”
Clover remains silent, but one of her thumbs runs slowly up and down the length of her glass, chasing the drops of condensation.
“So I have a proposal.”
“I’m not sure I can help with any of that,” Clover says with a soft laugh. “I’m not exactly skilled in reputation building.”
“I don’t need that. But what I do need is a way to get people off my back and the freedom to breathe while waiting for my baby. And you need money.”
Clover’s thumb pauses.
“So my proposal is for us to get married.”
Clover’s lips fall open.
“Shocking, I know. I’m so much older than you and it’s a crazy suggestion, but Clover.” Sliding forward on my seat, I set down my glass. “It’s the kind of crazy I think we both need. You need money and security to get your family back on your feet, and I can help with that. And in return, your presence will grant me the freedom and breathing room I’m desperate for. It will purely be a business transaction and once we’re both in a good, stable place, then we can amicably divorce. I know it sounds insane, but you’re the first normal person I’ve met in months. I really think we can help each other. So, Clover, what do you say? Will you marry me?”
She’s silent. Her thumb flexes back and forth constantly against the glass and then she finally speaks, but her voice is strained.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I can’t.”
8
CLOVER
The guilt is overwhelming.
Dean invites me to his home, lays out the pain of his lying ex, the insane pressure he’s under from his family and how hard it’s been to live with people lying about his brother. How can I, in good conscience, continue with my plan?