Chapter Twenty Two

“I don't want it, Steven. Honest.” Marie said, leaving forward and holding her hands together in a plea.

“Why?” Steven asked in his usual dominating tone now that they were alone and there was no need to pretend.

“I just don't. It's too expensive, Steven… I can't…”

“Expensive? Marie, I know you were going to make a fuss about money and got an i8.”

Was he serious? Had he been considering a more expensive car? She shuddered as the thought of owing him that much crossed her mind.

“I just…can’t.” She said, dropping her eyes to her dress and wrapping her arms around herself.

How could she make him understand? If he loved her, then maybe she would have been able to accept his gift but everything between them was fake. How could she accept gifts that were born out of a fake, and contractual marriage?

What she wanted was for Steven to love her, not buy her expensive cars. Maybe she wanted both but she wanted his love more than any car.

“What are you thinking about?” Steven said, a slight f