Her grip loosened. That carefully rehearsed softness slid back into her eyes.
"There. That's better."
"I'll give you a proper wedding."
I said nothing. The memories of my past life's wedding were still razor-sharp: the ceremony, the wedding night, the hired escort waiting in our bed.
I would never make that mistake again.
Agreeing was nothing more than a means to an end. I needed the capital injection.
The moment that money hit the account, I was gone.
On the day they signed the marriage license, Sarah was dressed to the nines.
She took my hand and led me out of the courthouse.
"Roland, we're husband and wife now."
The warmth in her voice was almost convincing. I pulled my hand free and gave a noncommittal grunt.
A sports car pulled up in front of us. The window rolled down, revealing a familiar face.
Simon Simmons. The man Sarah had been obsessed with for as long as I could remember.
In my last life, she'd been so desperate to please him that she'd thrown my life away without a second thought.
"Sarah, congratulations." Simon stepped out and fixed me with a look dripping with provocation. "So this is Mr. Kaufman? Quite handsome. No wonder you skipped my birthday party for him."
Sarah's shoulders stiffened, the movement barely perceptible.
She turned to Simon, a thread of anxiety woven into her voice. "Simon, what are you doing here?"
Simon pouted and walked over, looping his arm through hers with practiced familiarity. "I came to get a look at your new groom, of course."
"Sarah, my stomach hurts. Will you take me to the hospital?"
Right in front of me, her brand-new husband, without an ounce of shame.
Sarah glanced back at me. "Roland, Simon isn't feeling well. I'm going to take him to the hospital. The driver will bring you home."
The first day after signing the license in my last life had played out exactly the same way. One phone call from Simon, and she was gone. I'd sat alone in the bridal suite all night, waiting like a fool.
Back then, I'd actually believed she was just looking after her little brother.
I nodded at them both. "Sure. Take your time. I'll manage."
Sarah seemed displeased by how calm I was. Her brows knitted and she opened her mouth to say something, but Simon was already pulling her into the car.
Once the sports car disappeared down the road, I took out my phone and called the finance department.
"Has the money come through?"
"Yes, Mr. Kaufman."