Page 27 of Vows We Never Made

“That mess was me, in case you wondered,” Margot says, noticing where I’m looking. “I wanted to find all her classics.”

“They’re ordered alphabetically. And by genre,” Hattie mumbles, ripping the wrapper off the oat bar and taking a bite.

“Yeah, butIdon’t know the system.” Margot rolls her eyes.

My kid sister has no clue how obnoxious she is.

People say the same about me, of course, but the difference is I’m aware.

I just don’t care.

I lean back, pressing into the cushions.

My anger from this morning in Wilkes’ office has worn off, and now it’s time to approach this logically.

Demands and threats aren’t working.

When I pushed, Hattie shoved right back, calling me out for being an asshole.

That’s new.

Old Hattie would’ve let out a squeak and ran.

I can’t even be mad at her because I was a raging cock.

Still, she’s apparently so delicate a check with a big number causes her to pass the fuck out.

So I can’t just wave money in her face, either.

Not without giving her some sugar first.

Damnably obnoxious, this entire situation.

Will she even make it through a wedding ceremony conscious?

Not that the will says she has to be.

I take another look around the apartment. She’s clearly not living it up, so maybe it really was just the shock of a sudden windfall.

Perhaps she needs time to get used to the idea of someone paying her well for a job.

Yes, even in my thoughts, I’m an asshole.

If she needs time, I can spare that, but there’s a limit.

I have a schedule, and I need a damn answer soon.

I need to commit to marrying her or I’ll have to find another way to secure my inheritance.

And knowing my luck and Wilkes’ grim assessment, that won’t be easy.

Fucking fabulous.

“Could you keep this thing away for now?” Margot picks up the check and passes it back to me before sitting on Hattie’s other side.

“Look,” she whispers to Hattie as her eyes blink open, “you don’t have to go through with this. Don’t let him pressure you.”

“Yes, she does,” I interrupt.