*Shelby*“Who are you planning on going to talk to?” Bruce asked.“I want to go talk to Marmie. I need to find out what she knows. It’s possible that Lauren was in on the blackmail, and if she was, that means Marmie could have been too,” I said.I purposely left out the fact that I knew for certain that Lauren was stupid enough to fall for Blaine’s lies and was one hundred percent in on the blackmail schemes over the last month.“It’s unlikely that Marmie will even talk to you,” he said, staring at me as though I was a wild animal released from its cage.“Well, I have to try. I have to try and do something. If I sit here for another minute, I’m going to go crazy. Please take me there, Bruce. I know that you must know where she lives,” I pleaded.“I do know where she lives, and I’ll take you there on two conditions,” Bruce said.“What are your conditions?” I asked.“First, I refuse to leave you there alone. I’ll be waiting downstairs in the lobby
*Michael*“I need you to put this on. Leave all of your personal items in the bin, and they’ll be passed off to your lawyer before we transport you,” the officer said, sliding an offensive orange jumpsuit across the metal table.I picked it up and ran my hand across the black vinyl on the back of the jumpsuit, that read inmate. My stomach dropped.“And hurry up. We don’t have all day,” the officer said, slamming the door behind him.I slipped out of my leather shoes, pushing them under the metal table. I pulled on the orange jumpsuit replacing my Italian-made suit, and, unsurprisingly, it fit me like shit. Reality hit me hard when I looked into the two-way glass on the other end of the interrogation room, my reflection staring back at me. I only believed that all of this was real when they made me put the damn thing on and came back into the room, taking all of my personal belongings away from me. I sat there on the cold metal chair as I waited for them to com
*Shelby*“Bruce, will you please just tell me where we’re going?” I asked as he turned down another seemingly unmarked street.“We’re going to meet with Leon Carmine. The Carmine family boss,” Bruce finally said.“Why?” I asked, concerned but hoping that they could somehow help Michael. I mentally kicked myself for not thinking of reaching out to Giani earlier. “Leon told me they have some evidence that could make or break Michael’s case. He wouldn’t tell me over the phone. He said he didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands, so we have to come to get it in person,” Bruce explained.“We? Does that mean I get to come to the meeting with you?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t tell me it was too dangerous.“I’m going to leave that up to you. I’d normally ask Michael before dragging you into this, but I can’t exactly call him right now. Since you are his fiancee, I’ll leave that decision with you,” Bruce explained.“If it’ll help prove Michael’s innocence,
*Michael*“Astor, to the front of the cell,” a guard called to me. I was surprised to see a guard there at all. We’d just finished breakfast, and we were scheduled to spend the next hour in our cells. I pulled myself off of my bed, the springs groaning in protest. “What’s going on?” I asked as I approached the cell doors.“I need you to come with me,” the guard said as he turned the key in the lock.I followed diligently as he led me down hall after hall into a portion of the jail that I’d never seen before. I had no idea what this was about, but I seemed to feel the nervous anticipation in the air around me. The guard led me into a small office, and I was shocked to see one of my suits folded on the desk in front of me. I looked to the guard.“Get dressed, and then I’ll escort you to the front gates,” the guard said before stepping out of the room.I didn’t call him back to ask questions. I quickly pulled off the terrible orange jumpsuit and
*Shelby***Six weeks later**The last day of classes never felt better. I was completely exhausted from the semester and the new added stress of my internship. However, I loved being able to spend weekends with Michael. Most weeknights I had to stay up late, getting in as much homework and studying in as I possibly could so I could fully enjoy the weekend nights with Michael.We’d made a big effort to enjoy each other's company as much as possible since Michael’s name was cleared of the murder charges. It made us realize just how important the time we spent together really was because we could never be sure how long we had left together. I walked home from class excited that I’d be seeing him the next day. We had plans to go on a spring break vacation, although he wouldn’t tell me where. I planned on going home and spending a few hours relaxing in front of the television before packing and going to bed.“Lin?” I called into the house, but she didn’t answer.
*Shelby*The beds at Le Bristol Paris are unbelievably soft. We arrived well into the evening, and the afternoon sun was streaming in the open doors that lead out onto a private terrace. The lulling sounds of the street below barely reached the room. I felt in the bed next to me and found it empty. I slipped out of bed, wrapping a hotel robe around my body. Luckily, I didn’t need pajamas the night before since I hadn’t packed anything for the trip.Michael was sitting alone on the balcony, sipping a cup of coffee as he silently watched the movements of the city below. “Good morning,” I said softly so I wouldn’t startle him. “How’d you sleep?” Michael asked, turning to look at me.“Like I was on a cloud. I think that bed probably costs more than my entire first apartment,” I joked.Michael laughed softly. I noticed the sheen of sweat on his forehead, and for the first time, I realized he was in his workout clothes; he must’ve spent the morning at th
*Shelby*The first night in the castle felt like a dream. Michael hired a private chef to stay at the guest house on the property and cook every meal for us. We dined in the formal dining room, which had a large set of french doors opening onto the large courtyard pool.We talked, laughed, and drank the local wine until the late hours of the night. The master bedroom was located directly above the dining room with a private balcony overlooking the pool and beyond to the acres and acres of a well-tended garden. We left the large windows open as we slept, letting in the cool breeze and the earthy smell of the vineyard. I spent a leisurely morning in the old clawfoot tub, which sat right below one of the open windows. I watched the wind blow through the trees as I soaked in the warm water.Breakfast was an extravagant affair. The personal chef made an amazing three-course meal, and when we were finished eating I felt as though I may not be able to get out of my chair
*Shelby*I woke up to light butterfly kisses along my cheeks. My eyes fluttered open to the very dim light of our master suite. The breeze was softly blowing through the open balcony doors, and I felt Michael’s fingers brush strands of hair away from my face.“What time is it?” I asked, not yet wanting to move.Michael continued playing with my hair as I struggled to keep my eyes open.“It’s still early. I wondered if you wanted to take a walk with me. There’s a beautiful spot just over the hill, and I thought we could watch the sunrise together,” he said softly.I slowly sat up in bed and smiled. “I think that sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of memory. Let’s go.”Within a few minutes, I was dressed and walked down the stairs slipping my arms through a jacket. Michael stood in the foyer waiting for me, carrying a basket with a blanket nestled on the top.“Are you ready?” he asked.“Yes, I am. What’re you bringing with us?” I asked, pointing
*Shelby**Five Months later*I sat staring out the small window in my office. It was nowhere near as impressive a view as Michael's top-floor CEO office, but I liked the fact that it was mine. I’d been an attorney at Stockton and Associates for five months now, and just last month, I was promoted from my tiny cubicle in the corner to my very own office.I’d framed photographs of Michael and me at our wedding, at a castle in Ireland on our honeymoon, and of us in Greece from our most recent vacation. I couldn't help but imagine another picture frame of a beautiful little baby, swaddled up tight in a hospital bassinet sitting next to the rest. Michael and I had taken a more active approach to try to have a baby. I took my temperature every morning to track my fertility window, and our bathroom was littered with boxes and boxes of ovulation tests. It seemed like the majority of my free time I now spent thinking of our future family. I even had an entire nursery planne
*Shelby***One Year Later**“To you, my amazingly talented, intelligent, and beautiful wife,” Michael said, holding a glass of wine in the air over our cozy two-person table.I clinked my glass on his and took a small sip of the wine as I looked out over the dark blue sky littered with thousands of tiny bits of starlight. The lights of the city shone brightly below, illuminating the blue dome roofs over the buildings. The waves crashed against the cliff faces below, sending bits of seawater into the air, making everything smell like salt.We’d been in Greece for the last few days and were currently eating dinner in a quaint little restaurant toward the top of the city, with an amazing view. For the past month, we’d been touring Italy and Greece on our yacht. I’d recently graduated from NYU with my law degree, and Michael planned the trip as a way to celebrate. I’d been interning at a law firm called Stockton and Associates, and I was surprised by their o
*Shelby*I woke up and stretched across the king-size bed. It felt so strange to be in such a large bed all by myself. I lay there, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the hotel room. Then the realization hit me; it was my wedding day. The day I was going to become Mrs. Shelby Astor.I sat bolt upright, and let my feet hit the floor. In one swift motion, I was up and taking leaps across the room with a little squeal. I swung open the door and rushed into the main room of the hotel suite.“Aubs! Lin! Get up! I’m getting married today!” I squealed.Within a few seconds, Aubrey was up, rubbing her eyes as she opened the door to her private room. All we heard from Lin’s room was a sleepy moan, which made me laugh loudly.“I know that some brides get cold feet on their wedding day, but something tells me we don’t have to worry about that with you,” Aubrey said, yawning a little.“I can’t believe it’s actually here, Aubs. I mean, after all that we’ve gone t
*Shelby*After a hasty breakfast, Lauren’s words still lingered in my mind. The click of the coffee pot being pulled off of the warmer snapped me back to reality. I set my phone down on the counter and flashed Michael a soft smile. He grabbed a travel mug from the cupboard and poured the remainder of the dark liquid into his cup. While he screwed the lid into place, he leaned over and kissed me quickly on the lips.“I’m so sorry I don’t have time to say much in the way of a goodbye, but thank you for breakfast. I had an emergency meeting with investors pop up last minute,” Michael said, slipping his arms through his sport coat.“That’s okay, I understand. Will I see you for dinner?” I asked.“Yes, you will. I’ll make sure I’m home by five at the latest. What are your plans for the day?” Michael asked.“I’m going to the country club to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow,” I answered.A huge smile took over Michael’s face, “Well, that sounds like a great way to spend
*Shelby*Lauren looked… humbled.Even her clothes were telling. She wore a long, demure skirt and a blouse that didn’t show a hint of cleavage and covered her arms down to her elbows. No big brand names or luxurious accessories. Her hair also needed a wash.I’d never seen her dress so modestly or look so run-down, and I had an inkling of what she was trying to accomplish by coming here. I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. I wasn’t sure Michael would want to see her, and part of me didn’t want Michael’s day to start off with a fight. On the other hand, I couldn’t make those decisions for him.“Come in,” I said, stepping aside to let her pass. I closed the door and gestured for her to sit in the adjacent living room, just as I heard Michael’s quick steps running down the stairs. “What smells so good? My mouth is watering! Shelby, honey—” He froze when he saw Lauren sitting on the couch. She gave him a smile and a quick wave.Michael’s eyes focused on me,
*Shelby*Ever since that kiss in the elevator, my body ached for Michael. When he whispered into my ear, a shudder ran down my spine, turning me on.He gave me a taunting look, and his eyes wandered around the park. “Michael…” I said, “what’s going on in your head?”He chuckled and leaned closer to me. “It wouldn’t be the first time we made love out in the open,” he said in a low voice.I almost spit out the coffee I’d just sipped.“But we were alone on the beach! Well, the second time, anyway. This place is full of people.”“There are some dark places…” He smiled mischievously at me. “And you’re not making it easier for me.”His eyes wandered to my chest, where my dress hung really low and gave him a great view of my breasts thanks to the way I was leaning toward him.I felt his leg caressing mine under the table, and I pretended to scowl at him.“You aren’t making it easier either,” I said. He took his phone out of his pocket and grinned, informing me that the
*Michael*When Shelby walked into the office, I could tell she was dying to tell me something. Her excitement was written all over her face.“I suppose the hunt for a dress went well?” I said, and she immediately ran around the desk and gave me a kiss. “I’ll take that as a yes,” smiling at the joy on her face.“I found the perfect one,” she said as she sat in the chair across from me. “I just wish I could show you or tell you about it, but you know how that goes.” “You could wear a T-shirt and jeans, and you’d still be the most beautiful bride to walk this earth,” I said dramatically, eliciting a giggle from Shelby. I would never tire of hearing her laugh.“I thought your lawyer would be here already,” she said, looking at her watch.“Aren’t we going home?” I had no idea what she was talking about.“Did you really forget?” Shelby laughed. “Only you could forget that we’re going to sign our prenup today.”The truth was that it had completely slipped my mind. Shelby was
*Shelby**One Month Later*“I can’t believe it’s the end of the summer already,” Lin said with a sigh.I pushed open the door to the salon and was instantly enveloped with the smell of cucumbers and ocean salt.“I know. It seems like it went so fast, but I’m so glad we get to spend more time together before you have to go back to Cambridge,” I said.“Damn, this place is so posh,” Lin said rather loudly.I chuckled, “Shush, Lin. Just pretend that we come to places like this all the time.”“Oh, right,” she responded, a small smirk on her lips.We walked up to the front desk where a woman with purple hair greeted us. Once she found our appointments, she took us back to a private room to get our pedicures. The lights were dimmed and soft piano music played from an indistinguishable place in the room. She handed us each a glass of champagne before leaving us to wait for the nail artists.“So what are we having done today?” Lin asked me as we slip
*Shelby*I’d just slid the baking tray, with two salmon filets and vegetables, into the oven when I heard the front door open. It abruptly closed with a shutter that echoed through the house.“Michael?” I called down the hallway.“It’s me, Shelby,” he called back, and my heartbeat slowed at the sound of his voice.“You’re just in time. I just put dinner in the oven, and it should be ready soon,” I said as Michael walked into the kitchen.I looked up to see him wearing a very serious expression on his face. The corners of his mouth were tugged down in concern, and there was a strange expression in his eyes—a mix of sadness and anger.“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” I asked, my heartbeat speeding up again. “Is Bruce okay? Lucille?”“Everyone’s fine. I just had a very unpleasant conversation is all,” Michael said, sliding onto one of the barstools.“With who?” I asked, picking up and folding a dish towel with nervous anticipation.“I went