Page 39 of The Wrong Husband

"I need the money for my rescue mission. You need someone with influence to lobby the government from shutting down the ER."

I try to make sense of what he’s talking about and fail. "What does that have to do with getting married?"

"By marrying you, I get access to the money in my trust fund. My grandfather will be happy I'm settling down. He’ll agree toput the considerable weight of the Davenports behind liaising with the powers that be to stop the ER from shutting down."

"Ah." I swallow around the heaviness in my chest. I should have realized this wasn’t a proposal for a real marriage. Not that he could have proposed to me after knowing me for so little time. This is a proposition which could result in mutual benefit.

That heaviness in my chest seems to sink into my belly. My entire being seems to turn into stone.

Why did I think this man felt something for me? He wants to marry me, but not because he loves me.

"You’re talking about a liaison…of convenience?"

“Call it a strategic alliance.” He drags his thumb under his lips. “I’m not offering you a fantasy. I’m offering you a partnership—with total transparency, and no strings you don’t agree to. Call it unconventional. But what I’m offering is a win-win arrangement—and no one gets hurt. There are no emotional traps. We walk into this with our eyes open. What’s at stake is bigger than your happiness or mine. We’re going to save the lives of many people by agreeing to this.”

His voice seems to come from far away. He's couching his proposition with very reasonable words, but at heart, it’s still a transaction. A fake liaison. I shouldn’t be surprised by this suggestion.

He comes from a background I’m familiar with—where money is used to negotiate your way into what you want. There’s no reason to believe Connor is any different.

The silence stretches. The expression on his face is untroubled…and expectant. He’s waiting for an answer.

I look away, needing some time to gather myself.

I walked away from Drew because I wanted more. And the way my emotions for Connor seesaw, I feel much more for him than I did in every second of my short-lived relationship with Drew.

But a pretend relationship?

I should turn him down. But the part of me that feels like it owes the world, which recognizes that he’s right, that we could make a difference to the lives of so many, pushes me to consider his proposal carefully.

The Emergency Room has been my refuge from my personal life. I’ve spent more time there than at my own home over the last few months. To find out there’s a timeline to the ER shutting down brings home how serious the situation is.

My heartbeat accelerates; my stomach twists up in knots.

What wouldIdo if the ER closed?What would my colleagues do?We could find other jobs, but it wouldn’t be the same.

Connor’s offering me a way out, a chance to stop it from shutting down. It means, the borough will continue to have access to the vital services the ER provides. It means, Emma can afford childcare, Sunita can help her mum, and John can keep saving for his kids’ future.

And Connor’s charity can keep helping children.

All I have to do is say 'yes.'

But to agree to be his wife? Despite it being a marriage in name only?Nope.

I broke up with Drew because I wasn't in love with him. I deserve love, and I won't marry for less.

I shake my head. "No, I can't agree to marry you." I throw up my hands. "I don't even know you."

"Hmm." He drags his hand over his mouth. The speculative look in his eyes makes my heart beat faster. "But the ER…"

I set my jaw. "If I needed the money, I’d go to my parents.”

"No, you wouldn’t."

"Excuse me?"

"You strike me as someone who’s independent. I'll bet, you decided not to take any help from your parents for youreducation. In fact—" He leans forward. "I’d wager you put yourself through medical school by taking on loans and even pushing yourself to take on jobs on the side."

I flush, half-amused, half-angry that he’s read me so easily. I don’t reply to his assertion, but my expression must give me away, for he nods with satisfaction.