All Chapters of Marry Me For Money: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

TerranI stepped into the hot shower, trying to wash away that cloak of guilt that wouldn’t go away. I had hoped to avoid a public announcement in order to save Hailey the embarrassment when I broke it off in the next couple of months. She clearly was in it to win it and had staked her claim in a very public way. That didn’t sit right with me. I had a feeling the announcement was more of a bragging than a sharing. She wanted everyone to know she had snared herself a wealthy man.I shut off the water, my anger quickly pushing away the feeling of guilt that had plagued me earlier. I wished she could be the woman who she claimed to be. That was the woman I was in love with if I was being honest with myself. The superficial Hailey, the one I was convinced was under that perfect veneer, that was the Hailey I would dump once I got my inheritance.I dressed and grabbed my briefcase, stuffing my laptop inside before heading for the door. I didn’t stop to kiss her goodbye. If I did, she’d prob

HaileyI smiled and dove right into the script after stating my name. When I was finished, I looked at them, waiting for some kind of response.“Just a moment please,” the only male at the table said, holding up a finger.I stood on the X, waiting to hear how miserable I had been, doing my best not to appear nervous.The guy turned to face the cameraman. “Johnny, replay that for us. Hailey, can you stand off to the side please?”I nodded and moved out of the way. My face appeared on the screens, and a second later, I heard my voice coming over the speakers mounted on the wall. I cringed, thinking my voice sounded a little dull. I should have used more enthusiasm, I realized, noticing my hair looked a bit wild as well. This was part of the learning process, I reminded myself. I could pick my brief audition apart all day long.When the short scene was over, the man was nodding his head. “Go ahead and have a seat in the waiting area if you will. It shouldn’t be long.”I nodded my head. “

TerranI scoffed. “How exactly are you going to do that? I guarantee if you ask her if we’re getting married, she’s going to say yes.”Lance grinned. It was an evil grin that actually made me very nervous. “Are you sure about that?”I nodded. “Yes, I am. She’ll show you the ring and tell you the story of how I proposed.”Lance shook his head. “You didn’t even know this woman three months ago, and now you’re ready to marry her after being a bachelor your entire adult life. No judge is going to believe that, especially with your reputation. You’ve never had a relationship.”“No one can tell me what’s in my heart. And seriously, are you stalking me? Why the hell are you so interested in my love life?” Lance burst into laughter. “You don’t love her. You don’t love anybody. All you want is the money, so you concocted this little scheme to get it. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but I’m not going to let you get away with it.”“Empty threats, as usual,” I said. “I don’t know why you came

Hailey“Hailey, wait. I’m sorry. I’m being a jerk. Stay, please. Can I get you a beer or maybe a glass of wine? I really just need a minute to unwind.” I smiled, seeing the tension in his face, and nodded my head. I had to get used to these moments. It wasn’t always going to be rainbows and butterflies. I was going to be his wife. It was my job to help him relax after a long, hard day. I was supposed to be his sounding board. I took a deep breath and walked back into the kitchen.“I’d love a glass of wine,” I said with a smile, putting my purse on the kitchen table.He nodded and quickly poured me a glass of white wine before taking my hand and leading me to the patio. We sat down and spent several minutes listening to the sounds of the city below while enjoying the sun moving lower in the sky.“Tell me about your day,” he said.I stood up and kissed him on the forehead. “Let me get you another beer, and then we can talk.”I returned with the beer and sat down in the lounge chair nex

TerranI looked at her and shook my head. “I didn’t do it.”“Well, the only people that even knew were Mandy and us, and I know she didn’t do it,” Hailey said, her voice slightly irritated.I mentally groaned. Zach. It had to have been Zach. That explained the use of our public headshots. “Never mind. I know who did it. Sorry, I guess I assumed it was you.”In the back of my mind, I was back to feeling like an asshole. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. I kept misjudging Hailey. She hadn’t released the announcement. She wasn’t bragging about snaring me. I was an egotistical prick, assuming I was some grand prize to be won.She laughed, the mood relaxing a bit. “Who was it?” she asked, her hand moving back to my thigh.“Zach,” I admitted.“Who’s Zach?” Mandy asked.“He’s my best friend. I told him on Saturday. He must have been a little excited.” I made a mental note to call him and then kick his ass.“I can’t wait to meet him,” Hailey said enthusiastically. “He’s obviously pretty