The Billionaire’s Secret Wife(22)

Cringing, she shook her head. “It’s not like we can have one. Our marriage is secret, remember?”

“That sounds so clandestine.” He gave her a meaningful look. “Secret Wife.”

She looked away as her heart squeezed. What a ridiculous reaction. She wasn’t thrilled at being called “wife,” secret or otherwise. This was temporary, and she was not going to end up like her mother.

Because she looked so much like her mother, most people thought she’d marry well and have everything catered to her. Except she knew better. Her grandmother had often lamented about how poisonous and ephemeral her mother’s looks were.

“If Ceinlys had been just slightly less beautiful she would never have been able to marry Salazar. Mark my words, as she grows older, her hold on him will weaken. Fading youth can never keep a man’s heart. One day he’ll wake up and wonder what he ever saw in her. And she’ll be sorry. But by then it will be too late.” She raised a wrinkled but absolutely steady finger. “This is why you look at the pedigree. The character. You never marry a woman solely for her beauty.”

Vanessa pushed aside her grandmother’s conversation. Shirley Pryce hadn’t limited herself to just her sister’s ears. Vanessa also knew how disappointed Shirley was that she looked so much like Ceinlys.

“If only you’d gotten the Pryce eyes or nose…” Shirley had sighed, searching Vanessa’s face. “If you’d been a boy, at least you could’ve had the Pryce profile. Ah well, at least you’re pretty. Good men will marry you for that…assuming you don’t overeducate yourself.”

Vanessa snuffed the memory and concentrated on the present. “Mom’s having a housewarming party on Saturday,” she said to Justin, “and she wants me there. I couldn’t beg off, especially with all my brothers coming.” Short notice or no, they’d wanted to attend. “Well, except for Shane, of course.”

Justin frowned. “Where is Shane anyway? I haven’t seen him in months.”

“You or anyone else. He went to South Africa in May, but since then…nada.” She shook her head. “He’s never pulled something like this. Dad’s thinking about sending men out there to drag him back to L.A.”

“That’s pretty high-handed.”

“I know. Shocking, given that it’s Dad.” Vanessa snorted. “But in this case, I actually agree with the idea.”

Justin shrugged. “Well let me know if I can help. In the meantime, if you want, we can get married today, then fly out to L.A. together tomorrow. I want to see how Ceinlys is doing.”

“But—”

“Don’t give yourself an aneurism, okay? She invited me too.”

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “She did?”

“Yeah. She apparently heard something about my relocating to California.”

“Justin! I thought you were staying in Chicago.”

“Why would I do that when my wife and child are going to be in California?” He gave her a small, smile. “Don’t worry. She won’t have any idea. I’m going to be in San Francisco. I even rented a corporate condo, not that I plan to actually live there.”

“Where are you going to be?”

“In L.A. With you.”

“Everyone’s going to know then.”

“Leave it to me to keep it quiet,” Justin said, his tone absolutely unshakable. “I can be very discreet.”





Chapter Eight




It took no time at all to get the marriage license. The clerk looked only politely interested as she processed the paperwork and gave them their document. “Here you go. Congratulations.” Her tone indicated it was the fiftieth time she’d said it that day. Vanessa was just relieved she didn’t seem to connect the dots.

She and Justin went to their hotel afterward to freshen up before the actual ceremony. Justin had booked a sumptuously decorated suite overlooking the Falls.

Since she didn’t want to draw any attention, she’d brought a lacy white cocktail dress with matching shoes and the pearls she’d inherited from her grandmother. Justin put on a tux with a white tie¸ while she commandeered the vanity to touch up her makeup and hair.

She kept her hand steady as she applied a thin coat of lipstick. It felt so surreal to think that soon she’d be a missus. She pressed her palm against her still flat belly. At least Justin hadn’t accused her of lying about her pregnancy or denying that it could be his child. He’d treated her right, and the least she could do was return the favor.

So long as they were married…so long as he was faithful, she’d be a good wife.