The Agreement Celeste Wanted Signed
Celeste stood near the marble mantel, crystal glass in hand.
Her expression stayed warm as she asked, “You signed the revised marriage agreement, didn’t you?”
I paused before answering.
“Not yet. My attorney requested changes to two sections.”
Her smile held, but the warmth left her eyes.
“The ceremony’s tomorrow, Adeline.”
“I’m aware.”
“Warren’s concerned your hesitation reflects a lack of trust.”
I kept my voice level.
“The agreement would give him significant authority over shares tied to my company. Asking questions isn’t the same as refusing to trust him.”
Celeste’s fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
“Marriage requires two people to take a leap of faith.”
“A marriage may require faith,” I replied. “A legal agreement requires clarity.”
For a brief second, neither of us spoke.
Then Warren appeared beside me.
Handsome in his dark blue suit, brown hair neatly styled, that familiar gentle smile that used to make me feel safe. He put a hand on my back.
“My mother’s only worried because she wants tomorrow to be perfect,” he said. “We can go over everything in the morning.”
I looked up at him.
“You’re not upset I haven’t signed?”
He kissed my forehead.
“Of course not. I want you to feel comfortable.”
His answer should have reassured me.
Instead, a quiet unease settled in my chest.
Love has a strange way of teaching people to look past what they notice. The heart spots a crack and immediately goes looking for a reason to call it a shadow instead.
I wanted to believe Warren.
So I did.
For another forty minutes.
