Contract Bride: Rising From The Shadows

The IV drip counted out the seconds. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Dosha lay on the sofa in the penthouse. The elevator chimed softly. Moments later, a frantic-looking Liam appeared, holding Asset's leash. The dog bounded forward, whining, and leaped onto the sofa with Dosha. "Mr. Stuart said... he said the dog was a distraction," Liam stammered, avoiding her gaze. "He told me to bring him back. He hasn't eaten." Liam placed a bag from a pharmacy on the table. "And Mr. Stuart also sent this. A vitamin injection. He says you need to be well for tonight." Asset was curled into a tight ball against her stomach, his head resting on her ribs.

Harper was sitting on the coffee table, peeling an apple with a paring knife. She was angry.

"Do you know where she is?" Harper asked, slicing a piece of apple aggressively. "Do you know where he moved her?"

"I don't care," Dosha said, her eyes closed.

"Rosewood," Harper said. "He moved Sienna into the Rosewood Estate."

Dosha's eyes snapped open.

Rosewood was the ancestral home. It was where Casper's grandmother had lived. By family decree, only the legal wife was allowed to reside there.

It was a public declaration of war. It was Casper telling the world that Dosha was irrelevant.

Dosha sat up. She ripped the tape off her hand and pulled out the IV needle. A drop of blood welled up.

"Help me up," she said.

The television in the corner was tuned to a financial news network. The anchor's voice was urgent.

Breaking News: Internal shakeup at Stuart Holdings. Sebastian Stuart, the exiled cousin, has returned to New York after three years in London.

A photo flashed on the screen. It was blurry, taken at JFK. A tall man in a trench coat, dark hair, walking away from the camera.

"Oh god," Harper gasped. "The crazy cousin? The one who tried to burn down the headquarters?"

Dosha stared at the screen. She remembered Sebastian. Two years ago, at her wedding, he was the only one who hadn't congratulated her. He had leaned in and whispered, It's a trap, darling.

The front door opened.

Casper walked in. He looked frazzled. His tie was loosened.

He saw Harper and scowled. "Get out."

Harper looked at Dosha. Dosha nodded. Harper left, closing the door softly.

Casper walked over to the sofa. He didn't ask about the IV bag.

"There is a family dinner tonight," he said. "Sebastian is back."

Dosha laughed. It was a dry, raspy sound. "So? You need me to play the happy wife? You need me to show Sebastian that your flank is secure?"

Casper ran a hand through his hair. "Exactly. He is here for the voting rights. If he senses weakness, he will attack. If my assets shrink, your alimony shrinks. So get dressed."

Dosha looked at him. She saw the fear in his eyes. He was terrified of Sebastian. The fever and exhaustion were a heavy cloak, but underneath, a cold clarity was forming. This was leverage.

"I'm sick, Casper," she said, leaning back against the cushions. "If you want me to go, the price has gone up."

"You are blackmailing me?"

"I am negotiating," Dosha said. "I want Sienna out of Rosewood. Tonight."

Casper hesitated. Evicting Sienna now would be a nightmare. She would scream. She would leak stories.

But Sebastian was the bigger threat.

"Fine," Casper gritted out. "She will be gone by morning."

"Now," Dosha said. "Call your property manager. Put it on speaker."

Casper glared at her. But he pulled out his phone. He made the call. He gave the order.

Dosha listened to the confirmation. She smiled.

"Deal," she said.

She stood up, her legs shaky but holding. She looked at the image of Sebastian on the TV screen.

Casper went to his study to make more calls.

Dosha petted Asset's head. "Showtime," she whispered.