Caspar’s POV:
74
After a simple dinner with Daisy Cole at The Ritz, Ethan arranged for his sister Daisy to assist me with some company affairs instead.
Though Daisy was clearly interested in extending our interaction beyond business, I remained focused on finalizing the merger documents as quickly as possible.
The moment business concluded, I wasted no time boarding my private jet back to New York.
During the flight, my thoughts kept returning to Dorothy’s cryptic message about finding the marriage certificate.
If she had located it, I could finally terminate my contract marriage with Sienna Bailey and move forward.
The decision to go directly to Dorothy’s house from the airport was an easy one.
James pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of Dorothy’s Victorian mansion. “Would you like me to wait, sir?”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll call when I’m ready to leave.”
The familiar scent of Dorothy’s home–lemon polish and fresh flowers–greeted me as Martha, her longtime housekeeper, opened the door.
“Mr. Thornton,” she said with a warm smile. “Your grandmother is taking her afternoon rest. She should be awake within the hour.”
“That’s fine, Martha. I’ll wait in the study.”
Martha’s eyes twinkled mysteriously. “She had quite the surprise for you.”
A surprise? My grandmother’s surprises were rarely simple matters. The last “surprise” had been a contract marriage with the Bailey
family.
“Is there anything I can get you while you wait?” Martha asked.
“Just coffee, thank you.”
In the study, I loosened my tie and checked my phone.
No messages from Edward about Noah, which meant everything was fine at home.
I found myself wondering what Audrey was doing with my son today. Were they enjoying their time together? I pictured them in the sunlit art room, heads bent together over a canvas, Noah’s small face lit with that rare smile he seemed to reserve just for her.
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74
Chapter 66
A strange longing tugged at me–had Audrey thought of me at all during my absence? Or was she relieved to have these days without my hovering presence? I quickly dismissed the thought, uncomfortable with how much I cared about the answer.
A soft knock announced Dorothy’s arrival.
She entered, elegant as always in a tailored navy dress, her silver hair perfectly styled.
“Caspar,” she said, kissing my cheek. “You look tired. London wasn’t too taxing, I hope?”
“Just business,” I replied, getting straight to the point. “Your message mentioned something about the marriage certificate?”
Dorothy raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression. “My, aren’t we eager? You’ve barely been back in the country an hour and already rushing to end your marriage.”
“The sooner this is resolved, the better,” I stated firmly. “You have it, don’t you?”
Dorothy studied me. “Are you absolutely certain you want to terminate the arrangement?”
‘Completely certain.” My tone left no room for debate.
“The Baileys have proven themselves untrustworthy, and you also know what kind of person Sienna is.”
I paused, noting her reluctance. “You’re not having regrets about this arrangement, are you?”
A dry chuckle escaped her lips. “I assure you, Caspar, if anyone ends up with regrets about this situation, it won’t be me.”
Dorothy moved to her desk and placed the folder in my hands. “There you have it – your golden ticket to freedom!”
I flipped open the cover, expecting to see Sienna Bailey’s name and photograph on the marriage contract. Instead, I found myself staring
at a familiar face–Audrey Lane.
The documents nearly slipped from my suddenly numb fingers.
I blinked, certain I was seeing things. But the name printed next to the photograph was clear: Audrey Bailey.
The air left my lungs in a rush. “What is this?” My voice was barely audible.
“That, my dear grandson, is your wife.”
18:32 Wed, Jan 28 M
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
