Chapter 8 Sealed With Ink
Sloane
When I got to the office, Cade was already there. He sat across from me in his tailored charcoal suit. Beside him was someone who I supposed was his own lawyer. The tension in the room felt like a weight.
“Good morning, Miss Sloane. I’m Margaret Chen, Mr Whitmore’s legal attorney”, she said, stretching her hand out greeting. “Let’s proceed to the parameters of this arrangement,” his attorney said, pulling out her pen.
“My client wants everything in writing,” Jonathan countered, opening a thick folder as he takes a seat. “No ambiguity. We are here to satisfy the requirements of the will, but I'm also protecting Miss Hartford’s personal and professional interests.”
“Agreed,” Cade said. His voice was steady, but his eyes never left mine, making me believe he was silently asking if I was really brave enough to go through with this.
According to the will, the marriage had to appear legitimate, which meant Cade and I couldn't live in separate addresses.
“The will is very clear about a genuine domestic partnership. For the marriage to satisfy the legal requirements, they’ll need to live together,” Margaret stated.
“Separate bedrooms.”, I said immediately. I didn't care if the lawyers thought it was cold.
No one commented. The lawyers just looked at me, then at Cade. After a brief pause, he nodded in agreement.
“Fine. My townhouse in the Heights has a guest wing and it has its own office. I can have that prepared, if that’s what you want ,” Cade said, leaning back.
“It is”, I said firmly, ensuring he sees the seriousness in my eyes.
“My client also wants to maintain her own apartment,” Jonathan added.
Cade shifted, his eyes narrowing. “She will need to be at the house. At least five nights a week.”
“Why?”, I said immediately.
“Unless you think it’ll be easy to convince your family, the hotel board, and everyone else that you spend more time in your own apartment than with the person you married.”
I bit my lip. I’m sure at this moment both Jonathan and Margaret could very well sense the tension that we were building up in the room. Five nights of a week in his space. Five nights pretending.
“Fine,” I agreed. “Two nights at my apartment.”
Margaret noted it after a pause. “Yes, the public”, she said slowly, trying not to disturb the settling dust. “As for public presentations,” she continued. “You’ll attend events together. And you’ll have to appear affectionate. Minimal but still consistent social media presence.”.
“I’m a consultant. I know how to manage a brand. I can act.”, I said, my voice sounding more confident than I felt.“
“So can I,” Cade replied.
“Finally, we’re also looking at the three-month minimum timeline,” Margaret added. “The will requirements, you must remain married for at least ninety days before any divorce proceedings can be initiated. We’ve already drafted the dissolution papers, if needed, but they’ll only be available to you until that period ends.”
I nodded, processing the fact that I was signing away my next season to Cade.
“We'll give you two some privacy to discuss the... personal aspects of this arrangement.”, Jonathan said. We’ll be outside drafting the final contract. By the time they stepped out the silence in the room was heavy, besides the hum of the air conditioning.
I took a breath, steeling myself. “I’m agreeing to this,” I said, steadying my voice, “with conditions. I’m not your informant. I’m an equal partner. That means you share all your findings.”
Cade’s expression hardened. “You don’t get to rewrite my investigation.”
“Then you don’t get anything,” I said. “Every discovery, every lead, I’m in the room. No secrets. And if my family is innocent, you walk away.”
Cade looked at me silently for a long moment.
“I mean it Cade”, I use my words to cut into his thoughts.
He nodded once and said, “Agreed.”
I stare at him, wondering if I can trust the single word he said. “Why did you really agree to this?” I asked. “The investigation is part of it, I know. But marriage? The public scrutiny? That can't be the only reason.”
Cade looked toward the window, watching the traffic below. He seemed to be considering his answer very carefully. “I owe it to Lily,” he finally said. “She wouldn’t risk her life for nothing. I can’t let it be for nothing.” He then turned to look at me .
“Believe me Sloane, this is as hard for me as it is for you…”
“No Cade. I don’t think it is”, I cut him off.
He continues, raising his voice a little for emphasis, “But if marrying you is the only way to help get the answers, then I’ll take it.”
His eyes met mine, and for a split second, the coldness vanished.
“And why did you agree?” he asked, turning the tables. “Is it just about twelve hundred jobs? Or your family or both?”
“The jobs matter,” I said honestly. “But I need to know. If my family has been using our legacy as a cover for something terrible... I need to find out. I won't be coward and be too scared to look.”
Cade gave a short, respectful nod. “I can work with that.”
Jonathan and Margaret returned, carrying stacks of paper.
“We have the public contract ready for signature,” Margaret announced, placing the documents in front of us. “This covers the marriage, the cohabitation at Mr. Whitmore’s residence, and the financial protections for both of you.”
My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the pen to legally tie my life to Cade’s. Cade must have noticed my hand shaking, but he didn't say anything. He proceeded to sign his own copy after I signed mine.
The lawyers witnessed our signatures, notarized the documents, and made copies. It was done. We were legally committed to get married. As Margaret Chen gathered her papers to leave, Jonathan cleared his throat.
“Sloane,” he said, reaching into his briefcase. “According to your grandmother's instructions.”, he said as he searched his briefcase and brought out a small sealed box bearing the Hartford Hotels crest. My name was written on one side in grandmother's handwriting.
I took it from him with care and curiosity. “Did she say what’s inside?”
“Just the same thing I told you, Sloane, something to help you with the family business”, he said as he packed his briefcase and followed Margaret out of the office.