Page 97 of Take My Name

“How stunnin’ are these Louboutins?” She holds up a photo of sparkling strappy ankle heels. “They’re gorgeous on their own but won’t take away from your dress.”

“They’re nice,” I say, picking at the fruit in front of me. “I’m not sure I’ll need ’em, though.”

“Of course you will. The other shoes are flatter, so you’ll want a heel with the silkier dress. It’ll accent your legs, too.”

“I meant because I’m not sure there’s gonna be a weddin’, Mama.”

My dad finally acknowledges me and lowers his phone long enough to gape at me. “Whaddya mean?”

“I told Hayes I’m still married…” Since my father doesn’t know I’ve been spending the past week with Warren, I tread carefully on how to tell him.

“Why would you do that?” Mom snaps. “You said Warren was gonna sign the papers.”

I swallow down the blade lodged in my throat. “He did.”

“Then what’s the issue?” Dad asks.

“I don’t wanna sign ’em,” I admit.

“Don’t be foolish, Maisie.” Mom tsks, reaching for her mimosa. “This is what you wanted. You’re engaged to Hayes.”

“I’m aware,” I bite out. “But I learned he knew I was married this whole time because he hired a PI when things were becomin’ serious. He never said anythin’.”

“He did a background check on you?” My dad’s brow lifts.

When I nod, my mom waves himoff. “So what?”

“So he proposed to secretly push me to get divorced instead of tellin’ me he knew and wanted me to do it.”

“He doesn’t wanna share you, sweetie. Can you blame him?”

“People who love each other aren’t supposed to lie to one another, Mom. We both kept secrets from one another for three years.”

“Yeah, but it’s not that big of a deal. He wants you to be his wife, not some other man’s. That’s understandable.”

“What else did he find on you?” Dad asks.

“As far as I know, that’s it. Why?”

“Does he know about your trust fund?”

I take a sip of my water before my mouth goes dry. “I never told him, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know about it or at least assume I have one. I haven’t touched it myself.”

“You may wanna let him know so he’s not surprised when he sees it in the prenup,” Dad says.

“What prenup?”

This is the first time I’m hearing of one.

“I suggested our lawyer write one up,” he states. “Considerin’ how long it took to get Warren to sign the papers, I don’t want you goin’ through that again.”

“He’s never gonna sign that,” I blurt. “He’s old-fashioned as it is.”

“Sure he will.” Mom grins confidently. “It protects him, too.”

“Considerin’ his IP and copyrighted works, he won’t wanna put that at risk, so if he wants to marry you, he’ll agree to protectin’ both of your assets.”

“That…” I shake my head, unable to comprehend this. “That ain’t a marriage. Separatin’ things as if we’re already on the verge of splittin’ up. Why bother at that point?”