Chapter 3

At five thirty, Dorothea stepped out of City Hall with Latham, marriage certificate in hand.

She didn’t even glance at the certificate, just slipped it into her bag. It all felt a little unreal p>

Were they really married now? Wasn’t this way too fast?

Latham glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. “What’s wrong, are you having second thoughts p>

Dorothea shook her head. “No regrets. I just have some things to take care of, so I’ll head out first p>

“Hold on.” Latham reached out, stopping her. “What’s your number p>

Right. They were married now. It would be weird not to at least exchange numbers.

Dorothea rattled off her number. Latham called it right away.

She hadn’t looked at what he’d put in as his name. “You’re p>

“Latham p>

“How do you spell that?” Dorothea handed him her phone, making it easier.

Latham’s cool fingers brushed her skin as he took the phone, sending a strange shiver up her arm. She glanced at the contact name and nodded. “Alright then. Guess we’re going our separate ways for now p>

She still had to hurry over to Albert’s place and collect her things.

Latham gave a slight nod, his tone flat. “Need a ride p>

“I’ll just grab a cab, thanks p>

They went their separate ways. Not long after, Dorothea’s phone buzzed with a friend request from Latham.

His contact name was simple and direct: your husband.

Dorothea felt her cheeks grow warm as she hit accept.

When it came time to set his nickname, she paused, thinking for a moment before typing, “Sweetie p>

They’d agreed to act like a loving couple for a year. He’d helped her out of a jam, and she’d play her part well. It was just a nickname. It didn’t mean anything.

Meanwhile, Albert still hadn’t replied.

She let out a self-mocking laugh and blocked his number.

Dorothea fiddled with her marriage certificate and called her mom.

“Mom, it’s done. I can go through with the marriage alliance like you wanted. But you said before that I could join Dad’s company. I want to change the condition p>

Her dad, Eaton, had been an only child. The hotel he opened before passing away was left for Elise to take care of. After Elise remarried, she lost interest and handed the hotel off to her brother, but she still held all the shares.

Elise sounded impatient. “What do you want now p>

Dorothea’s tone held a trace of sarcasm. “I want all the hotel shares under your name. And Carola has to move out of Cloudhaven Lane p>

Cloudhaven Lane was the little villa where Eaton and Elise had first lived together. It was filled with memories of Dorothea’s childhood. Later, Dorothea moved with her grandparents to a small apartment downtown, and the villa sat empty for years.

Two years ago, Elise had given Cloudhaven Lane to Carola as her personal studio, and now it was full of Carola’s things.

Dorothea wanted it all back. Everything her father had left should belong to her.

Elise didn’t care much about the villa. The Brown family wasn’t short on money, she just liked the scenery there.

“Dorothea, I can transfer the deed for Cloudhaven Lane to you, but the shares… don’t you think you’re being a bit greedy p>

Dorothea gave a quiet laugh. “Mom, when Dad passed, both Grandma and I were included in his will. How is it greedy if I want what’s rightfully mine p>

Elise’s voice turned cold, but she didn’t argue. “Once the marriage with the Stevens family is settled, I’ll transfer everything to you p>

Dorothea hung up. She wasn’t worried about Elise breaking her promise. If she did, Dorothea wouldn’t hesitate to get a divorce.

Latham cruised his Bugatti back to his parents’ house.

He’d barely stepped inside when his father, Ladd, greeted him with a scowl.

Ladd tossed a gossip magazine at Latham’s feet. “Last time your rumored person was a model, now it’s some celebrity. Are you trying to drive me crazy p>

Latham bent to pick up the magazine, brushing off the cover. “Why would I do that? If you dropped dead, who’d be left to nag me about getting married p>

Ladd gritted his teeth. “You little punk p>

It wasn’t just the gossip that bothered Ladd. What really got under his skin was that

Latham’s so-called flings were always with men.

The Stevens family had a long,

proud military history before building the business empire that was now Stevens Group. They had their hands in real estate, tech, finance healthcare-pretty much everything.

The idea that Latham might be gay gave Ladd a headache.

“I don’t care what you say, you’re

getting married this year. I heard et

Albert’s going to marry Carola What about you? Are you really going to let me lose to Jarrett?” fo

The Clarks and the Stevens families had been rivals for generations, Ladd’s late wife had been Jarrett’s first love, and the feud between the families had lasted decades.

Whose business was bigger, whose kids were more successful, and now, whose son would get married first.

Ladd had always managed to keep Jarrett one step behind. He wasn’t about to let his legacy get ruined by Latham.

Latham smiled, stretching out his words. “I got married. Just now, actually. Want to see the certificate p>

Ladd’s eyes went wide. “Seriously p>

“Where’s the certificate? Show me p>

Latham handed it over. “Can you see okay, or should I grab your reading glasses p>

Ladd huffed. “Keep quiet p>

It was a real marriage certificate. The photo looked fresh, and Latham was wearing the same outfit as in the picture.

“You didn’t fake this just to mess with me, did you?” Ladd was still suspicious. Latham shrugged. “I’m not that bored. If you don’t believe me, I’ll bring my wife over next time p>

Ladd squinted at the photo. “She’s a pretty girl. Too bad she’s stuck with you p>

Latham grinned. “Dad, just remember to be on your best behavior when you meet her. Don’t let my wife down p>

He wondered how long it would take for Dorothea to realize she’d married the wrong

guy.