Ashley sat rigid across from Julian Blackwood in the sleek law office. The polished mahogany table reflected the afternoon sun, catching the glint of the gold trim on the contracts spread before them.
She forced herself not to look at him as he was too close, too composed, and far too infuriating after the week of chaos he had dragged her through.
"These are the terms of your marriage contract," his lawyer began, voice clipped and businesslike.
"It has been drafted to ensure all terms are legally binding and clear, especially considering your respective business interests and assets."
The last couple of days had been very intense. So many ad-hoc meetings between both parties lawyers, Brooke and Neville, on the best strategy to adopt, and this was what they could come up with.
Adrian had briefed his personal lawyer, Barr. Neville on the latest developments, after he dropped the file on Stonehenge.
They met at their usual booth in a dimly lit bar where they both often conducted their "business talks." While Neville fretted over asset protection, Julian remained unconcerned.
Years ago, he had taken his lawyer's advice and ensured nothing of real value could be traced directly to him. Call it cautious, call it cunning, Julian preferred it that way.
He had serious concerns about Stonehenge been a subsidiary to Blackwood incorporation, that much had been established by Neville. He didn't need to wait for Charles before confirming what he felt was done by Charles himself. He knew there was a bigger picture at play and for now he was just going to observe. There was no need to rush, provided Ashley kept her mouth shut after offering her what she wanted and more.
He'd heaved a sigh of frustration , "you're absolutely sure keeping it under wraps is the best way forward? He hated that it would be seen as him caving under pressure.
After finalizing with Ashley's lawyer and friend, they'd both decided to bring the whole family onboard through their representatives, just to appraise them of the latest development few days before the actual signing that was taking place now.
Ashley remembered briefly, when they were all seated at her father's possessed company, when Julian casually strolled in, the sight of him infuriating her.
"Gd morning, Mrs Blackwood" he'd called out loudly in a very deliberate way, calculated to annoy her.
Ashley had been taken by surprise and at loss for what to say. She'd quickly looked at her father who was as surprised, as she was but she'd had no explanation to give shamefully.
He'd looked at Julian who was more than happy to elaborate, just to spite her.
" I'm sorry it happened this way, Mr Ashford. I didn't know i was going to be married that weekend either, things sort of happened so fast."
"didn't they honey?"
She'd felt like screaming at him but maintained her cool.
Her father just nodded, lips clipped effectively keeping all the questions that we're struggling to come out imprisoned.
His reaction made her nervous then as she couldn't read it.
In no time Brooke explained to the benefit of everyone present what had transpired and what the new arrangement was. Someone had recognized Julian while at Vegas and seen the both of them wed and was blackmailing him for cash and threatening to leak his escapades to the press.
Not without adding how equally damaging to Brooke's reputation, the information would be,if it got out to the press.
In addition, Ashley's proposal was going to be approved ,since she was staying as Julian's wife and no longer a mistake to be quickly erased.
Julian quickly cut in, "My offer is better, I'm only coming in as an Angel investor only in return for a small stake, after all we are family now. I'm sure you wouldn't mind and consider this my wedding gift to you Ashley," he smiled at her mischievous.
" Oh yeah right, you ain't doing me any favors, you just covering your ass, even though you claim, she put her fingers up in quotation rather dramatically, "your signature was forged and you have no idea of Stonehenge, I know by marrying me,you're buying time too "
She wasn't going to let him get away feeling magnanimous. They both had something to gain from the arrangement obviously.
She'd thought her father was going to be so disappointed on their way home,after the meeting a few days ago. He'd said nothing. Instead he looked relieved and relaxed in a way she'd not seen him for a long time.
She couldn't bring herself to tell him she didn't want to go through with it.
She sensed he knew and had pushed her mother to her.
"You're leaving so soon?" Her mother peered out from her room when she'd made way to the door.
"Your father just told me the most surprising and wonderful news," she said, smiling and walking towards her daughter.
Ashley cringed inwardly, slightly embarrassed that her father had gone down to her mom's level.
There was no pride or dignity in what was happening, none whatsoever .
"Why didn't you tell us dear? Surely this is good news. Even though you didn't go about it the conventional way but still ,you're both adults I guess." she said shrugging, with a forced smile.
"We could always do another one for everyone to attend."
"Mum! We were drunk, we didn't do it cause we were so in love."
Her mom had gone quiet as if weighing whether to continue the show of shame or not, but the former prevailed.
"Ashley dear, you mustn't turn down this offer".
It's basically changing nothing about your life, that you haven't changed yet.We get to keep the house Ashley, all because of you."
Now Ashley was sincerely stunned, "Dad told me he almost mortgaged the house, he didn't say he did." She fired back.
"He just didn't want you worried," she responded dismissively. "
Who knows, fate deliberately put you in each other's part, because what are the odds?" she said ecstatic.
How could she say no? When even her sister who'd not called her for the longest time, suddenly called that night,excited and happy for their luck.
No one was thinking about what was to become of her.
So here she was again, forcing herself to feel indifferent ,while waiting for the whole unnecessary explanations.
"Let's get this over with already." she said feeling like a sacrificial lamb. If it made her family happy, if it kept a roof above their heads, so be it. After all she had boasted she was going to fix it.
Everyone was on board and they all knew their roles, she didn't understand the formality.
Brooke continued "Because of the ongoing partnership with Blackwood Enterprises, any immediate personal disputes, divorce filings, disagreements over marital assets, could legally complicate the process. Investors, shareholders, and regulatory authorities could claim the process is compromised by personal conflicts and not done in good faith …"
Her father sat casually beside her during the meeting and for the first time thanked her with so much gratitude in his eyes.
"Honestly, Ash, I get you two have history and we respect your reasons for keeping it a secret, but this a business arrangement, you can keep it professional and uncomplicated.
Sign the papers, get through it in a couple of months." He whispered.
She shot Julian a pointed look. "And, of course, this doesn't mean we can't hate each other in the meantime."
Julian's smirk returned, small but deliberate. "Precisely," he said, voice low and teasing. "Civil, for the sake of our respective interests … and nothing more."
She pressed her lips together, trying not to grin despite herself. The legal reasoning was airtight, her family was casual but pragmatic, and Julian… well, Julian was as infuriatingly controlled as ever.
The pen felt heavy in her hand, far heavier than ink and paper should allow. Each stroke was another knot binding her tightly to Julian. She told herself she was doing it for her family, for the house, for stability. And yet, beneath the resolve, her stomach coiled with an anticipation she hated admitting even to herself.
Ashley left the office, gripping the contract tightly, aware that every move in the next few days would be watched, calculated, and strategically important not just for the partnership, but for her heart.
Ashley felt the weight of more than ink binding them. Every step reminded her, she was tangled with Julian Blackwood again, this time in front of the whole world. And the stakes, she knew, were far higher than before.