Chapter 89

"Is the mask finally dropping?"

"It’s not a mask—it’s my life. Marrying you is a risk that needs to be reassessed. I wasn’t aware of the danger involved before, but now I am. What do you say to that?"

"How much do you want?" Lucius responded bitterly.

"$100,000 a year, tax-free," I tossed out a number that was double what I earned annually. It was a lot of money for me, but for him, probably not so much.

I couldn’t tell if it was disappointment or childish rage in his eyes, but either way, Lucius ripped the contract in half and threw it behind him.

"You’ll get your money. Now, come down for dinner," he muttered, his tone bitter as he walked ahead.

A nasty taste lingered in my throat. I felt guilty, scared, but also relieved. Money—this was all about money, appearances, and sex. I needed to keep that in mind if I wanted to survive the world I’d thrown myself into.

-

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I followed his order and headed downstairs. I traced Lucius’s steps until