~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Maria, stop it. I’ve explained this. If I wanted my inheritance, I had to follow tradition to a point. I achieved that point today and as of tonight I’ve entered a new era by forcing the old guard of the family to retire. I’ve established a new set of rules and placed my people into the positions of additional guard. I’ve broken the contract between Sabrina and me. I’m free for the first time. Now you’re standing here saying this. I understand my tactics to keep you close to me weren’t the best, but I explained that to you. I had to do things for your safety and to keep you with me.” David struggled to express himself amidst overwhelming emotions. Frustration and desperation. David didn’t want her to leave before they settled this. He wanted her to agree that they deserved to drop their resistant behavior and be open to trying to for their relationship. He feared if they didn’t, Maria would end up alone somewhere and the thought broke
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “So, what’s this David? You’re being merciful on me and insisting I’ll be your wife so that everyone feels they have some kind of perfect revenge? Or your family wins some old family grudge? I have the honor of listening to various members of your family regale me of how sad my family was that they couldn’t keep their line going. Or that they fear I might jinx your line with my faulty genes.” I regretted what I said, but I witnessed his family doing it. I remembered his father’s words to me that day, and I dreaded hearing more of that. “Oh, love. It’s not like that at all. My father didn’t say that to the Belgrave heir. He accused a poor gold digger of scheming for more than she deserved. He worried that woman would cause more trouble than she was worth. My father told me had he realized who you were then he would’ve shot me for not forcing you to marry me then.” David had the decency to appear embarrassed. “What? What ar
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I studied David’s face, and I saw his anxiety. “I’ve read it. It’s fair, I guess. Josy looked at it before I acted. “But did you sign it?” I sighed and realized I had him in an awkward position. He was having a crisis of some sort. “Yes, I signed it. All right.” I watched as he sighed in relief as a smile returned to his face. “That’s great. Perfect. Thank you. Love, do you understand now? I want you beside me. With me, as my wife. The mother of my children. Does that make sense now?” “Why didn’t you mention it earlier?” “I did Maria. You wouldn’t believe me.” He’s right. I hadn’t believed him. But why wouldn’t I have a reason to believe him? Yes, I wanted to believe him. My experience with everyone told me I couldn’t trust anyone to protect myself. Didn’t he understand that? “David, I never thought twice about it. It’s habit for me to protect myself by no trusti
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ I felt my heart rate ratchet up when I understood the significance Maria said to me. If she showed up, it could cause the Board of Executives to lose their positions. The Head of HR was also on the Board of Executives. He’d lose a lot of incoming and his influence to keep his HR position. Now, I finished reporting this information to an interested police investigator. “I never imagined this. But my new fiancee didn’t explain this part about this her company. With this knowledge, I can combine multiple things. Look, he’s been having an affair with Jacqueline while Edger Belgrave was ill and dying.” “Yes, she still denies it. But Frederick admits that occurred and he’s provided documented proof.” The investigator mentioned to me as he made notes. However, it existed here. Jacqueline couldn’t lie anymore. Her lies prove her guilt now. I could see it now. “Right, Jacqueline lied to him about what she had him do
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “Fine. Chris told me this. He desired to involve Maria in a situation. He intended to have Maria either sell him Belgrave Tech for cheap or marry him and give it to him. Then he’d set up to kill her. I was supposed to marry David, and he’d meet a sad end as well. Mother was to receive payment along with the Board of Executive members. But now, I think, Chris figured that would keep me happy. However, I suspect he planned to kill them if they became too demanding. I couldn’t bring Hargrove Tech to Chris because he wanted me to marry him only if I came with Belgrave Tech. Now, I was prepared to use the witnesses to gather more information. Chris joined me, and it appeared others might too. This would tidy up everything. Maria snorted before she said. “Sabrina, did you complete everything correctly? What do you think would happen to you once Chris achieved his goal with you?” Sabrina looked like she was about to argue, but s
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ Jake took Josy to the guesthouse where they would enjoy their own private space on their time. “Is that it?” I asked David if it’s just us. “I thought this would never end. Something always seemed missing or overlooked. We had to wait before proceeding. “That’s true. Well, we’re almost past everything.” David smiled. He looked happy, almost giddy. I’d never seen him in a playful state. “What do you mean by that? What’ve we missed?” I couldn’t think of anything. Mind you, tonight a lot had happened, so I played along. Also, I felt curious about why he was acting like this. “You can’t think of a single thing we haven’t done?” He asked. He kept asking in that teasing way. I couldn’t help but wonder what was so important to him. Okay, I wanted to know. “No. I can’t think of anything. At least not right now. It’s been busy and crazy.” I was tired and crazy. The things appeared muddl
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ This went better than I expected. At least l thought it did. I was still wrapping my head around this twist of fate. The lawyer in charge of sorting out the engagement contract mess received a notice from the government. They’re sorting through this to ensure it’s not a scam or an error. But this makes life with Maria equal parts harder and easier. It would have been easier to break the contract with Sabrina. However, I would’ve lost my shirt if I’d failed to live up to my end of the contract. “Jake, prevent the lawyer from mentioning this. I want it squashed. Sabrina isn’t smart enough to realize this. But the lawyer will use it to try to defend himself. I don’t want him to have a leg to stand on. When we’re done with him no one will believe anything that comes out of his mouth. No matter what proof he brings forth.” I said to Jake while I handed several files to a staff member before they left the office. “I’ve got it D
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ This will be fun. The family discovers David’s manipulative living arrangements for five years. We now have one taxation year to figure out how much we owe in taxes as a couple and how we’ll pay them. We’re married. In all but name. The accountant filed our taxes while we lived in the same condo building as if we lived in the same condo. Other legal factors directed David towards the condo, not his house. The house he used to entertain in. Accommodating guests in homes instead of hotels. Now, they’re considered, and everyone now knew it. However, they’d have to deal with their opinions and attitudes. “David, are you sure this won’t be a disaster? You aren’t feeding me to the family wolves, are you?” I was making a joke because I was nervous. The limousine stopped outside of David’s family home and his driver held the door open for us. His bodyguards did their usual thing of hover, and I didn’t notice them m