“Sign it,” he demanded. “A post-nuptial amendment and non-disclosure agreement. You give up all claims to my assets, and you keep your mouth shut about tonight. If you refuse, I’ll have my friend Chief Harris drag you out of here in handcuffs for trespassing.”
I looked at the paper. My bloodied thumb left a crimson smear across the signature line.
A bloody contract for a dead marriage.
In that moment, the final piece of hope inside me turned to ash.
I reached into the pocket of my ruined dress and pulled out my phone. With shaking fingers, I dialed a private encrypted number.
Nathaniel laughed and snatched the phone from my hand.
“Who are you calling?” he mocked. “Your mechanic father?”
He pressed speakerphone.
“Let’s tell your pathetic old man exactly how worthless his daughter is.”
The line clicked open before the first ring finished.
Nathaniel leaned toward the phone.
