12. Tradition
Cassius
Faith seemed reserved during the negotiations. I was disappointed that she wouldn’t accept my offer of ten million dollars—at my level of wealth, I could easily afford more. Even her lawyer seemed frustrated, but Faith was resolute. All she wanted was the money she was bringing to the marriage and money to care for Lucas, which I agreed to.
More than ever, I felt I’d made the right choice. Faith didn’t want my money. She wanted a better life for her family, and I respected that. I hadn’t planned on marrying the girl. But now that she was carrying my child, nothing could sway me. Both Sterling and Rhodes cautioned me against jumping into marriage, but I’d never been more certain of my path.
My heir would have a family. They would have the world at their feet. I could give my child the safety and security I’d lost when I was young when my parents died, and I was left to shoulder my family’s burdens alone.
An unwelcome thought of Anya, my nanny, crept into my mind. She’d been with me during that dark time when I lost my family. I’d thought that her affection was sincere, but I’d found out from one of our staff that Anya had bragged about having me wrapped around her finger. I’d been her puppy dog, but she was a cruel master, only out for herself. I’d vowed never again. On the eve of my marriage, I felt I’d kept that promise to myself. Faith and I had just signed a contract. Our relationship’s parameters were clear. We had rules; we had security. Every detail had been negotiated.
I eagerly returned home, searching for Faith. I found her upstairs in one of the guest rooms, moving clothes into a drawer. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Oh! You startled me.” Faith’s face looked tired and drawn; it had been a long day.
I stared at her clothes in the drawer. “Are you moving in here?”
“Just for tonight,” she said. “We’re getting married tomorrow, remember? We’re not supposed to spend the night before our wedding together.”
“I hadn’t thought of that tradition,” I admitted.
“Well, we don’t have to observe all the traditions. But this one’s easy to do,” Faith said.
“You do need a dress,” I reminded her. “Gina will be sending over some options tonight.”
“That’s nice,” Faith said, seeming to perk up a little.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “It was a long day.”
“I’m pretty tired.” Faith yawned. “I’ve never read a contract for seven hours straight before. I’m wiped out, and we have a long day tomorrow.”
In the morning, we’d be leaving for Boston. Our ceremony would be held in Lucas’s room at noon. Afterward, Faith and I would fly to Nantucket for the weekend to celebrate our marriage.
“You don’t want to eat?” I asked, concerned.
“I can eat,” she said, but I sensed she was just trying to please me. We had a quiet dinner at the island in the kitchen. For the first time since she’d moved in with me, the silence stretched out awkwardly.
“Is everything all right?” I asked. “Are you upset about the contract?”
“No, it’s fine.” Faith put the fork down and pushed her plate away. She’d hardly touched her food. “I’m very grateful you agreed to establish a trust for Lucas. That was very generous of you.”
“It’s my pleasure.” I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I said it before, and I meant it. I will always care for you and your family—our family.”
A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes—hope? But it was gone before I could be sure. “Thank you, Cassius.”
Her words were filled with gratitude, but somehow, they sounded hollow.
“Will you try on your dresses tonight?” I asked, hoping that picking a dress would excite her.
“Of course. But I can’t show them to you,” she said and smiled. “Tradition.”
“Ah. I see.”
She cleared our plates, then gently kissed me on the cheek. “Good night, Cassius. See you in the morning.”
“Yes, see you.” I longed to reach out and pull her against me, but she slipped away up the stairs, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Tomorrow, I’d be married.
Soon, I’d be a father.
I would have a family, something I’d never taken for granted.
But for some reason, I felt more alone than ever.