Chapter 4
A soft knock pulled me from the document I was reviewing. I glanced up to see Celeste entering, tablet in hand. She bowed before checking something on the screen.
"Ms. Aurora," she began, eyes flicking toward me, "here's your schedule for today. At nine this morning, your doctor's appointment for bi-annual health monitoring—already completed. And at eleven, a pre-nuptial discussion with Ms. Duvall and her lawyer at a private yacht charter in Port Hercules."
I blinked, raising a brow. "Wait—that's today?" I checked my desk calendar and swallowed hard at the red circle and note in my handwriting: No other appointment, only the pre-nup.
"Damn it," I muttered, covering my eyes with one hand and rubbing at them. "I completely forgot." I looked up at Celeste. "Cancel everything else. Call the parties involved and move their meetings to next week. Earliest possible."
"Even the board meeting at four, Ms. Aurora?" Celeste asked, blinking.
I nodded quickly. "Yes. Tell them I have an emergency with Duvall Capital Group."
She hesitated, lips pressed together. "Technically... the board meeting was also sent to Ms. Duvall. She's part of the board now."
"Oh, shoot." I forced a laugh just as my phone began to ring. My throat tightened when I saw Sloane's name flash on the screen. "Cancel it all," I muttered, waving Celeste away as I answered.
"Hel—"
"Don't you dare tell me you forgot our pre-nup meeting, Ro." Sloane's voice snapped me upright.
"What? No, of course not," I said quickly, shaking my head as if she could see me.
She scoffed. "Oh really? Then why the hell did you schedule a board meeting? Didn't I tell you to clear your afternoon?"
I cursed under my breath and closed my eyes. "I'm sorry, okay? It must've slipped my mind. I've already canceled everything else. Don't get so grumpy." My attempt at humor fell flat even in my own ears.
I could practically see her rolling her eyes on the other line. My lips curved faintly despite myself.
"You'd better, Aurora." Then the call cut.
I sighed, slid the phone into my handbag, and stood. "Celeste," I called as I stepped into the hall. She rose from her seat instantly. "If anyone looks for me, tell them I'm out of the office today."
"Yes, ma'am."
I entered the elevator, pressed for the lobby, and leaned back against the cool stainless steel wall. When the doors opened, I stepped out—and froze.
Sloane was waiting in one of the lounge chairs, a magazine in hand. She shut it with a snap when she saw me and slid it back onto the shelf.
"Sol?" I frowned, pointing at her. "Why are you here?"
"Just making sure I can drag you to the yacht in time." She shrugged, walking toward me. Her eyes narrowed. "Seriously, Ro? Are you that stressed you keep messing up your own schedule?" She clicked her tongue, her disapproval plain.
"I already apologized, didn't I?" I muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Yeah, you did." She shook her head. "Doesn't change a damn thing, though."
A bitter laugh slipped from me. "Just like I can't change the past, right?"
Her brows arched. "Are you really bringing that up?" Her tone sharpened. "Let's be real, Aurora—you used me back then. And now here I am, letting myself be used again."
I flinched, frowning. "You're the one who offered help. Why make it sound like it's all on me?" I stepped closer, reaching for her hand. "Yes, I made mistakes. But if I had a choice, I'd never want to hurt you."
Silence fell. Sloane studied me. She let out a short, humorless laugh and pulled her hand free.
Her shoulders shook with it, though her eyes stayed cold.
"But you did hurt me, Ro. That's not something regret can undo.
" She turned, already walking toward the doors.
"Anyway, let's just get this over with."
I followed her. "I'll get my car and meet you there," I offered, heading toward the parking lot.
But Sloane's hand shot out, gripping my wrist. I froze.
"Who said anything about a convoy?" Her brow lifted as she led me toward her car, where her driver waited with the door open. "Now, get in."
"But—"
She jabbed a finger at my throat. "One more word, and I'll pull out of the deal entirely."
I raised my hands in surrender and slid into the car. She joined me moments later, our arms brushing. I pretended not to notice.
"Did you call your lawyer, or did you forget that too?" she teased, chuckling as she settled back.
"No. I intended to come alone." My gaze fixed on the window. "It's better that way."
She hummed but said nothing more, resting her head against the glass.
"Sol..." My voice cracked slightly. I clutched my handbag, trying to steady my trembling hands.
"Hmm?"
"How have you been... these past twelve years?"
Her body stilled. Slowly, she sat straighter, crossing one leg over the other before meeting my eyes, unflinching. "Thanks to you, I've had a terrible life." A faint smile tugged at her lips, bitter. "But also, thanks to you, I built an empire. If you hadn't broken me, I wouldn't be who I am now."
My mouth opened, but she cut me off with a shake of her head, her smile sharp as glass.
"Stop apologizing, Aurora. You're not sorry for what you did. You're sorry because this marriage is business. Publicity. A contract. But regret?" Her gaze sharpened. "That's not what you're carrying."
?·???°???°???·?
The yacht swayed gently in Port Hercules, its polished deck gleaming under the soft wash of sunlight. A private table stood beneath a glass canopy—crystal decanters gleamed beside silver pens, contracts stacked neatly between leather-bound portfolios.
I sank into my chair at one end while across from me, Sloane leaned back, poised as if the whole scene were staged for her amusement. Between us, the lawyer shuffled pages with practiced precision, avoiding our eyes as though he could sense the tension radiating between us.
Adjusting his glasses, his hands trembled slightly despite the yacht's steady balance. His voice was measured, almost detached, as though reciting terms from an ordinary business deal instead of binding two lives together.
"Clause One. In the event of marriage dissolution, Miss Aurora DeLacroix shall relinquish all financial, legal, and proprietary claims to the DeLacroix Couture and Luxury House empire. Ownership shall revert entirely to Duvall Capital Group."
My jaw tightened, but I kept my gaze fixed on the glittering sea beyond the canopy. No reaction was safer than the wrong reaction.
"Clause Two. Divorce is expressly prohibited. Both parties shall be legally bound to uphold the union for its natural duration. This clause shall be irrevocable and enforceable under the strictest contractual penalties."
My grip on the glass tightened, knuckles whitening against the stem, though my face remained composed. When I finally let my eyes drift to Sloane, she was already watching me—waiting, hungry for the smallest flicker of defiance.
I took a slow sip, then set the glass down. My fingers slid over the leather-bound portfolio. Flipping it open, I scanned the words that felt more like chains than clauses.
PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT
Between:
Aurora DeLacroix, CEO and Owner of DeLacroix Couture Luxury House ("Party A")
Sloane Duvall, CEO and Principal of Duvall Capital Group ("Party B")
This Agreement is entered into voluntarily by both parties on this 1st day of August, 2024, within the jurisdiction of the Principality of Monaco.
CLAUSES
Clause I – Ownership Control
In the event of marital dissolution or separation, Party A shall relinquish all ownership, control, and proprietary rights over DeLacroix Couture Luxury House.
Full legal and financial authority will be transferred to Party B without contest.
Clause II – Irrevocability of Marriage
Both parties acknowledge and agree that divorce, annulment, or dissolution of marriage shall be expressly prohibited. This clause is irrevocable and enforceable under binding contract law.
Clause III – Forfeiture Upon Breach
Should Party A attempt to dissolve the marriage through legal petition, abandonment, or non-compliance with marital obligations, all intellectual property, assets, and subsidiaries under Party A's name shall be forfeited and reassigned to Party B in their entirety.
Clause IV – Inheritance of Stake
Failure to uphold this agreement, whether through violation or refusal to comply, will render Party A's remaining stake in DeLacroix Couture Luxury House null and void, passing sole control to Duvall Capital Group.
Clause V – Public Partnership Acknowledgment
Both parties agree to present their union to the public as a strategic partnership, aligning DeLacroix Couture Luxury House with Duvall Capital Group. The marriage shall stand as both a personal and corporate alliance.
SIGNATORIES:
Aurora DeLacroix (Party A)
Sloane Duvall (Party B)
Witness / Legal Counsel
I stared at the words, pulse drumming slow and heavy. I had expected a merger, but this felt like a cage with bars I had willingly walked into.
The lawyer lowered the document. "Those... are the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement, Madame."
Sloane leaned forward, her voice silk, almost tender. A smile tugged at her lips as she crossed one leg over the other, propping her chin on her hand. "Do you understand now, Ro? There's no leaving me. Not this time. Not ever."
My head snapped toward her, disbelief flaring before my mask returned. What in the world...? A knot formed in my throat as I met her gaze.
I sighed and reached for the pen, clicking it open.
The tip hovered over the signature line, my grip trembling as I stared at Sloane's signature—sharp, decisive, carved into the page like a claim.
If I signed, there would be no backing out.
But even if I refused, I knew I had no way of walking away.
Glancing at Sloane, I found her still waiting, patient, poised. She wanted control—absolute, unshakable. No divorce. No escape.
Shrugging to myself, I flipped through the clauses again, then began jotting down my own addition. I initialed beside it and signed under the main line. The pen clicked shut in my hand as I pushed the portfolio back toward them.
"Clause Six. Succession Custody. In the event of my death or incapacitation, full custody, guardianship, and inheritance rights of any conceived child, biological or adopted, shall pass exclusively to Sloane Duvall. Signed, Aurora DeLacroix."
Sloane snatched it open, eyes flashing. "Are you insane?!"
I gave her a faint smile. "You made your conditions clear. Why can't I, Sol?"
Her lips twitched with restrained fury. "And you really think I'll give you an heir?!"
"I wrote biological or adopted," I said evenly. "Don't get so worked up."
She closed her eyes, exhaling hard. "Fine. But remember—you're the one who added it. Don't regret it when you lose everything your legacy was built on."
"Haven't I already lost what mattered most?" I murmured, meeting her gaze. The moment I let her go twelve years ago, I lost everything. And it was my fault. Only mine.
Sloane shoved the portfolio toward her lawyer, who stood, shook her hand, and quietly excused himself. I pushed back my chair and rose. "Since we're done here, I'll be leaving."
"I didn't say you could leave, Aurora," Sloane countered, rising as well.
I arched a brow. "Are we discussing something else?"
"Why did you do it?" Her eyes burned into me as she stepped closer, clutching my lapel and tugging me down just enough to make her point. Her breath ghosted across my lips. "Why did you write that clause?"
I tilted my head, smiling faintly. "Because if I'm chained to you for life, Sol, then you're obligated to give me an heir. Besides, don't you need one too? Win-win, isn't it?"
I could see the storm in her, how badly she wanted to snap, but she bit it back. She'd cage me with marriage, but I wouldn't let her have every victory without cost.
Her mouth opened, a retort choking off halfway. Color rose in her cheeks. "How am I supposed to give you an heir? We don't even know if we can! What if your sperm count—"
She cut herself off, blinking at her own words.
I smirked, leaning closer. "Damn, Sol. I didn't know you were already thinking about how we'd conceive before the wedding. Want a trial run before the wedding?"
Her face flushed, and she shoved me away. "Shut up!" She snatched her bag and stormed toward the exit.
"Hey, wait up!" I jogged after her, grinning despite myself. "Come on, I was kidding! But maybe you're onto something. Maybe we should try, right?"
She spun, fist half-raised. "Aurora DeLacroix, if you don't shut that fucking mouth, I swear I'll smash your brain out of your skull."
I held my hands up in surrender, laughter spilling out anyway. "Wow. That's harsh."