5

Edwards 

I spent the weekend after our engagement party drafting the paperwork, making sure Rose had no way of withdrawing our agreement.

I threw the newly printed contract at my wooden desk. The pastel pink pages seem out of place compared to other documents scattered across the surface.

Rose looked up at me. "What is this?" 

"Our marriage contract." 

"Why is it pink?" 

One would think that I asked her to sacrifice her precious shoe collection based on her facial expression.

"Someone left it loaded in the copier and I don't know how to change it." 

A bubble laugh from her. "I don't know what you would do without me." 

"Your heightened sense of self-worth is worrisome." 

"You don't have to pretend you don't like me that much." 

"Your first mistake is to think I'm faking." 

She just grinned. "They say there's a thin line between love and hate."

“Not thin enough,” I grumble under my breath. 

She smiles more as she embraces the pink contract. 

“Abbreviate at the bottom of each page after you finish reading.” I gave her a pen.

"This contract is as thick as the Bible." She stared at the stack of pages with a distorted expression.

I fell silent as I leaned against the table and crossed my arms. "Is that the problem?" 

Her eyebrows drew together for the briefest moment before she recovered. "No, but I'll need to take my lunch break to read it." 

"Take any time you need but that contract doesn't leave this office." There's no way I'd risk letting someone glimpse our arrangement. 

She traced the front page with one finger. "Fine. But I plan on going through each page three times just to make sure you don't have anything suspicious, so don't be upset I'm eating up your precious time alone." Her reply brushed her lips without hesitation.

And she accuses you of lying.

“Let me play one game at a time and get on with it. I have other things to do.” I sat in the chair, and it groaned under my weight.

"If you train any more muscles, that thing breaks down in half a day." 

My muscles flex under my suit as I unbutton my jacket first. "I'm sure you like that." 

"Only if I catch it on camera."

I ignored her and unlocked my computer. It took only a few emails to respond before Rose spoke up.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Her voice cracked. 

"What?" 

Her eyes widened unsettlingly. "Are you going to give me full custody of our children?" 

"Is that the problem?"

“Yes! A big deal!” 

“I suppose now is the time for me to mention that the contract is non-negotiable.” 

Her chin lifted defiantly. "Then let's negotiate."

"No."

"Then I'll walk."

I didn't take my eyes off the computer screen as I replied, "I'd love to see you try."

She got up, threw the contract on my desk, and took her purse to the floor. "If you can't be a responsible father, then I'm no longer interested in helping you." 

"You can't be serious."

"You want to test that theory?"

God damn it. The rules of the game kept changing without my consent, all because Rose didn't play fair.

She never has.

"Are you about to leave a hundred million dollars because of a custody agreement?" 

"Money is not a problem. Your decision is. “She turned on her heel and gave it back to me.

My control slips with every step she takes away from me. "I'll give you two hundred million." 

She continued walking towards the door, completely ignoring me. The swaying of her hips was a silent mockery to grab her. To do something other than let her go away from me and our deal.

"Three hundred million." Her steps faltered but she didn't stop until her hand gripped the knob. I pressed the round button below the desk and the door's locking mechanism clicked into place. 

She grumbled under her breath. "Open the damn door."

"Not until you sit down and sign the contract." 

"No." She turned the knob, but it was a wasted effort. While the secure-style locks are meant to keep intruders out, they've proven themselves quite handy in keeping my assistant in check. 

I sat and waited for her to get tired. Although Rose may have a strong will, mine is not okay. And with so many things out there, her giving up isn't an option, no matter how much she might hate me for it.

She leaned her forehead against the door. "What else do I want?" 

"You lost your rights as soon as you became my fiancée." 

“Careful, Edwards. Your misogyny is showing. "

The corners of his lips turned up. "You have no leverage here." 

"Take this as my bargaining chip." 

“Cute,” I replied dryly.

"Either you listen to my conditions, or I'll call the first reporter on my list and announce our separation."

My eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"

"I never." She stroked her eyelashes. "I prefer the term motivating."

Her brand of madness just happened to pull me out. "You are a pain in my ass."

"No. It's just the same old cane working again."

I think I paid her more than any assistant in this building to be treated like that.

Because you both know it . her worth.

I sighed indifferently. "Go ahead and list your conditions.

Her heels dragged across the carpet before she returned to her familiar chair. The skin is discolored after all her years of abuse. “I want shared custody — take it or leave it. You will be a parent 50 percent of the time whether you want to or not. “ 

If this is your attempt at trying to use our baby to get more out of me, it won't work.” 

Her nostrils flared. “I know this is a concept. It's hard for you to understand the time it takes people to make you happy, but the world doesn't revolve around you." 

"Next, you'll tell me that the Earth isn't flat."

Her nose twitched. "I hate when you try to be funny." 

"Why?"

"Because I like you better without personality." Her bright eyes, always like a mirror, looked straight into her heart.

Her stupid, bleeding heart.

“This is so important to me. Like really important.” Her voice was so low, I needed to lean forward to hear her next words. “I don't want any kids. children grow up thinking their parents don't love them." 

My fist balled up on my lap.You have to go and tie yourself to someone who has more father problems than you. 

Her gaze drifted away from me and into space as if a memory had lingered. “I know what it feels like to be unloved by my parents. That feeling wasn't the kind of feeling I wanted from my worst enemy, let alone my own baby. "

As if I could waste space like him. I've heard enough about Rose's father from Ross to know I don't look like him, but the way she looks at me threatens my perfect plan. I haven't. was never supposed to compete for father of the year I've learned through first-hand experience that entrepreneurs don't make good family men, no matter how fake they may be for a reason. due to publicity

What is the worst that can happen if you agree to hire a nanny to help raise your child?

My neck became wet as I considered the consequences of following Rose's request. I know how it works. One random case turned into two, and the next thing I knew, she would simply threaten me by leaving to find her way. I expected that from everyone but her, but I wasn't shocked at her ability to use my weakness against me.

Too disappointing to say more.

“One weekend every month,” I said before I had a chance to stop. 

She cleared her throat. “It's a good start…”

“It's all right—”

“But no.”

"For god's sake." 

Her eyes widened at my outburst.

Rein it on.

She continued as if I hadn't shown a rare emotional outburst. "I don't want to be stuck with all the boring stuff like homework and chores."

“Then hire a housekeeper and a tutor. You can buy it”.

She shook her head. “That is not my point of view. We should shut down every other week so we can provide a more stable and secure home. That way, we can both be happy parents.” 

“I can assure you I will never be described as 'the funny parent.'” 

She rolled her eyes. Memorize all of their favorite cartoon characters from the TV show, and you're instantly the coolest person in the room."

"That sounds like absolute hell."

"At least you'll feel at home."

I looked back at my computer. “Fine. We'll swap babies every other week. 

” “See, I know you can compromise if you get the chance.”

“Ransomware works wonders.”

She grinned. You'll know. That's your starting tactic.”

If only you knew. Although Rose was aware of my ability to gather information about people, she was unaware of the time period in which I would use situations to my advantage. I always get what I want. Rose leading this negotiation will serve me better in the long run, regardless of her current status.

She lifted a finger. "

I didn't have a chance to object before she continued. "My mother wanted a traditional church wedding."

"No."

“But—”

I cut her off. "We're on the run."

"No we can not. At least not anymore."

"Let me guess, you'll come back to our arrangement if I don't follow your plan." Predictable but effective in getting me to give in.

"What? No. But I would really appreciate it if you would work with me on this. Please." The way her bottom lip quivered made me regret ever going along with her crazy engagement idea.

I hid my surprise. "So this is a request."

"One big thing has given your opinion on the wedding, but I wouldn't ask you unless it was absolutely necessary."

"You owe me once."

Her eyes sparkled as she showed her ring in front of me. "Consider us even."

A disgusting noise stuck in my throat. "Sign the contract and get out of here before I change my mind."

She handed the paper to me. "Sure. Once you've made the appropriate changes, including increasing the initial payment to three hundred million dollars, then I'll go ahead and sign it."

Little buddy... "You think you're smart." 

Her smile only added to the heat welling up in my veins.

Dammit. I cover my small smile with the back of my hand. "Fair play." 

She winked. "Thank you sir. You taught me all I know.” 

And I regret it every day.