Dante got out first, then offered Chloe his hand to help her out of the car. Hand in hand, they walked gracefully toward the mansion, wearing masks of perfect happiness as the staff escorted them to the main garden, where the entire family had gathered. "My dear son, you finally made it," said Eva, Dante's mother. She was impeccably dressed, carrying herself with all the elegance expected of a woman of her social standing. "Mother." Dante leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Hello, sweetheart." Eva greeted Chloe with a warm hug. "You look thinner." She gave her a careful once-over. "I don't think so, Eva." Chloe smiled politely. "Sweetheart, I know it's important to keep your figure, but you also need to stay healthy if you want to get pregnant soon." Chloe simply smiled. If she wasn't getting pregnant, it wasn't because of her figure. It was because of the idiot standing beside her. "Mom, don't start," Dante said, barely concealing his irritation. He hated hearing t

Damon sighed. The blame rested with him and Camila Brooks. They had forced their grandchildren into marriage without ever considering how either of them felt. But there was no turning back now. A divorce would become a worldwide scandal for both families. "One year," Damon said. He would discuss it with Camila. It was the best solution for both Dante and Chloe. "Just one more year of marriage. If it still doesn't work out after that, I'll give you my blessing to divorce." Dante stared at him in disbelief, forcing himself not to smile. At last. He would finally be free of this dull, arranged marriage. "But you have to make a real effort," Damon continued. "Stop pretending to be a happily married couple. I'm not buying that act." He rose from his chair. "You'll come visit me every Sunday. I'll know if you're faking it. Start acting like a real married couple. Marriage isn't just smiles and happiness. It's arguments, disagreements, and then making up in bed with hot, pas

Dante was her older brother. He had always protected her from their mother, who wanted her to become the perfect daughter. Quiet, obedient. Nothing more than a doll she could control however she pleased. That was never going to happen. Ivanna would never marry a man because her mother ordered her to. Or because her grandfather did. Though, to be fair, Damon had never cared much about arranging her marriage. To him, Dante was the heir to the Montgomery dynasty. She was simply his youngest grandchild. Whoever she chose to marry was entirely her own business. It wasn't that he didn't love her. In fact, Damon often protected her from Eva. He simply gave her far more freedom. Another message lit up her phone. It wasn't sent to Ivanna Montgomery. It was addressed to Ivy. A smile spread across her face the moment she saw who it was from. Alex. He texted her every day. Sometimes it was nothing more than wishing her a wonderful day. Other times, the messages were sco

Chloe heard the door slam shut hard behind him. She frowned but otherwise did nothing. Ivanna's plan had worked. Dante would stop pestering her about having sex. From now on, he'd only sleep with Gala, while Chloe would simply keep teasing him as his wife. - Ivanna walked into the Montgomery villa. She still lived there, even though she'd often thought about moving out. Her mother wouldn't allow it, and neither would Dante. It was the only thing he had never supported her on. He'd made it perfectly clear that if she moved out, she'd lose his support completely. "Shopping again?" Eva asked as she walked over and folded her arms, eyeing the mountain of shopping bags the servants were carrying. "Oh, come on, Mom. It's not that big a deal. I'm not going to bankrupt Dante over a few shopping bags," Ivanna replied with an exasperated sigh. "Ivanna, it's time you settled down. Got married. Started a family." "Please, Mom. Not again. I don't want that yet." She stepped

"Go ahead," he said, unconcerned. Chloe smiled. For a moment, she'd thought he would refuse, but he hadn't. Once they were finished with the appointment, she'd ask Ivanna to take her to visit a few universities so she could choose one she liked. When they arrived at the gynecologist's office, Chloe underwent a routine examination. Nothing unusual came up. Dante waited outside the entire time. He couldn't deny he was still nervous. He hoped those toys she claimed to use had done their job, and that she'd actually known how to use them. The doctor returned with Chloe following behind him. She took the seat beside her husband while the doctor settled into the chair across the desk. "Very well, Mrs. Montgomery," the older physician said. "I'm going to ask you a few routine questions, so please answer honestly." Chloe answered each one calmly, without hesitation. The doctor asked about her menstrual cycle, when her last period had been, whether it was regular, and if