Chapter 4
That was how I ended up moving into the Bennett house.
On my very first night, Mrs. Bennett had shown me to this room.
It was decorated in black and white and so immaculate it barely looked lived in. There were men's and women's clothes in the walk-in closet. I'd assumed it was some elaborate guest suite, furnished to look like a model home.
Now I knew I'd been living in Ethan's bedroom for an entire month.
His grandmother must have supplied the women's clothes.
I had no idea when I finally drifted off. By the time I woke up, I was alone.
I washed and dressed, then went downstairs to find Ethan and his grandmother sitting in the living room.
She waved me over warmly and looked me up and down. When she took my hand, she noticed the bruise on my wrist.
Ethan had grabbed it twice last night. That was where the mark had come from.
His grandmother paused, then turned to him.
“Lucy's only twenty-two. You're old enough to know how to be gentle.”
Wait. What exactly did she think had happened?
Ethan stared at her. “Grandma, what are you talking about? I didn't sleep with her.”
She held up my wrist.
“Then what's this? You're going to marry this girl. You don't get to put her through all this and then pretend you owe her nothing.”
Before he could reply, she pressed on.
“Make it official. Treat her badly, and you can forget my support for that project next week.”
He fell silent. Then he looked at me and gave a short, cold laugh.
“Fine. We'll get married. Right now.”
He was already on his feet, heading for the door.
“Lucy! You two should eat first,” his grandmother protested.
“No time,” he said without looking back.
I hurried after him.
Neither of us spoke in the car. We went to get a marriage license, then stood through a brief civil ceremony. We looked stiff and uncomfortable in the photograph taken afterward, but at least the paperwork and vows were done.
Ethan sent his grandmother a picture of the signed marriage paperwork.
Then he got into his car and drove off, leaving me standing there.
