Chapter 6 - The Honeymoon Without Romance
Derek had originally planned a two-week honeymoon in Italy.
The trip was suddenly shortened to one night at Nora’s private country estate.
He claimed Hale Capital needed him back for an urgent meeting.
Evelyn supported the change.
“Marriage is not a vacation,” she told Nora at the reception. “There will be responsibilities waiting when you return.”
That evening, Derek remained charming.
He carried Nora across the bedroom threshold, poured champagne, and spoke about their future.
But he never relaxed.
He checked his phone constantly.
At midnight, a courier delivered a leather folder.
Derek said it contained insurance documents.
Nora watched him place it in the safe.
The next morning, he woke before her and made coffee.
“We should take care of a few administrative things before we leave,” he said.
He opened the folder at a table near the window.
The first pages appeared ordinary. They concerned beneficiary information, travel insurance, and emergency contacts.
Then Nora reached the section Rachel had warned her about.
Temporary spousal authorization.
Derek placed a pen beside her hand.
“It allows me to handle company decisions if you’re unavailable.”
“I’m not unavailable.”
“It’s only a precaution.”
Nora kept reading.
The authorization did not apply only during travel.
It continued for eighteen months and could be extended if a medical professional questioned her capacity.
“I’m not signing this.”
Derek’s smile tightened.
“You haven’t finished reading.”
“I have read enough.”
He walked behind her chair and rested his hands on her shoulders.
The gesture might have looked affectionate to someone outside the room.
His fingers pressed harder than necessary.
“Nora, my creditors need proof that the Bennett board supports our marriage.”
“Our marriage is not a corporate guarantee.”
“We are supposed to be partners.”
“Partners do not hide clauses from each other.”
He stepped away.
For the first time, Nora saw pure contempt in his face.
“You really believe you are smarter than everyone.”
“I believe I should understand documents before signing them.”
Derek closed the folder.
The argument ended abruptly.
He apologized and suggested they return to the city.
Nora wondered whether she had misjudged the plan.
Perhaps the documents were the entire strategy.
May you like
Perhaps he would retreat now that she had refused.
Instead, when they returned to the bedroom the following afternoon, Evelyn was waiting.
