My countenance was devoid of blithe at the time. I stepped backward to give them the limited attention I had. Once I gazed upon that blue document the horrible moments I had with the Fanny’s relived in me and hit me with hurt. I wouldn’t want us to talk about a contract marriage again. I was going to tell them my purpose of traveling to Ohio was to hustle, make enough money that could sort out the half a million dollars they gave me as exchange for agreeing to marry their son.

I knew they were fascinated by the stunt I pulled to save Brian. But in the natural sense,...