Chapter 2 - Married Before Breakfast
Vincent’s attorney was named Samuel Price.
Samuel looked at Harper over his reading glasses.
“I’m going to say something Mr. Romano won’t enjoy.”
Vincent leaned against the wall.
“I rarely enjoy anything you say.”
Samuel ignored him.
“Miss Bennett, do not sign this because you’re frightened.”
Harper looked at the marriage agreement.
“I am frightened.”
“Then understand every sentence first.”
For the next forty minutes, Samuel explained everything.
The marriage would last at least twelve months unless both agreed otherwise.
Harper would receive independent legal representation.
Vincent would provide housing and living expenses.
Lily’s trust remained completely separate.
Harper retained financial independence.
No physical relationship was required.
No clause restricted her employment.
At the end, Harper would receive enough money to rent a home and support Lily while finishing school.
Harper looked up.
“You added college?”
Vincent answered.
“You said last night you dropped out when your mother became sick.”
“I didn’t tell you that.”
“You told Lou while refilling his coffee.”
“You listen to everything?”
“Yes.”
“That’s disturbing.”
“It’s useful.”
Samuel covered a smile.
Harper signed.
Vincent signed after her.
At 8:43, they stood before a civil officiant.
The woman looked at Harper.
Then Vincent.
Then at Harper again.
“Are both of you entering this marriage voluntarily?”
Harper hesitated.
Vincent noticed.
The officiant waited.
Vincent quietly said, “You can still walk away.”
Harper looked at him.
“You’d let me?”
“Yes.”
“What about your problem?”
“It remains my problem.”
That answer made her decision easier.
Harper faced the officiant.
“Yes. Voluntarily.”
Minutes later, the officiant smiled.
“Then by the authority vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
Harper blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“No rings?”
“Not required.”
Vincent looked at his watch.
“Court.”
Harper almost laughed.
“You are unbelievably romantic.”
“I’ve been married for twenty seconds.”
“And already disappointing.”
Samuel handed Vincent the certificate.
“Congratulations. Try not to terrify your wife before lunch.”
---
At 8:57, Harper ran into Family Court.
Vincent walked beside her.
Richard Bennett was already there.
His smile vanished.
“Harper?”
She stopped.
Richard looked at Vincent.
Then at their joined legal paperwork.
“What the hell is this?”
Harper lifted her chin.
“My husband.”
Richard laughed.
Then he recognized Vincent.
The laughter stopped.
“Romano?”
Vincent offered no greeting.
Richard’s attorney whispered something into his ear.
Richard’s face reddened.
“You married him?”
Harper replied, “This morning.”
“This is a stunt.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have tried stealing my sister.”
“I’m trying to give Lily a stable home.”
“You’re trying to get her money.”
Richard stepped closer.
Vincent moved half a step forward.
Nothing more.
Richard stopped anyway.
Vincent spoke quietly.
“My wife said you want access to Lily’s trust.”
Richard’s eyes flicked toward him.
“That’s family business.”
Vincent’s voice became colder.
“She is my family.”
Harper looked at him.
The courtroom doors opened.
---
Judge Margaret Ellis reviewed the documents.
“Mrs. Romano.”
Harper nearly failed to respond.
Vincent touched the table lightly.
Harper stood.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“You were Miss Bennett yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“And you married Mr. Romano approximately one hour ago?”
“Yes.”
Richard’s attorney rose.
“Your Honor, this is plainly an attempt to manipulate the custody evaluation.”
Judge Ellis looked toward Harper.
“Is it?”
Harper’s mouth went dry.
Vincent remained silent.
This was her answer to give.
“Yes.”
The courtroom went still.
Richard smiled.
Harper continued.
“I married quickly because I was terrified the court would think money and a house mattered more than who Lily trusts.”
Richard’s smile faded.
“I’m not going to lie to you. Vincent and I didn’t date for three years. We don’t have wedding photographs. We didn’t have flowers.”
She looked directly at the judge.
“But Richard didn’t suddenly become interested in Lily because he loves her.”
“Objection.”
“Sit down, Mr. Collins,” Judge Ellis said.
Harper pulled several papers from her bag.
“My mother named me as Lily’s preferred guardian in her will.”
Richard muttered, “You can’t afford her.”
Harper turned.
“I raised her while Mom was dying.”
“You served pancakes.”
“I took her to school.”
Richard scoffed.
“I paid hospital bills.”
“No. Mom’s insurance did.”
Richard’s face tightened.
Harper’s voice became stronger.
“You visited twice in six months.”
Richard stood.
“That’s a lie.”
A small voice came from behind him.
“No, it isn’t.”
Everyone turned.
Eight-year-old Lily stood beside a court-appointed child advocate.
She wore a purple sweater and carried a worn stuffed rabbit.
“Lily,” Harper whispered.
Lily ran to her.
Harper dropped to her knees.
The child threw both arms around her neck.
“I want to go home.”
Harper closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Richard pointed.
“She’s manipulating the child.”
Vincent finally spoke.
“She’s hugging her sister.”
Judge Ellis looked sharply at him.
“Mr. Romano, unless I address you—”
“My apologies, Your Honor.”
Harper almost stared.
Vincent Romano had just apologized.
Judge Ellis reviewed another document.
“The court is not prepared to transfer guardianship today.”
Harper stopped breathing.
Richard stood.
“What?”
“Temporary guardianship remains with Harper Bennett Romano pending a full investigation.”
Harper squeezed Lily tighter.
The judge continued.
“However, this marriage raises obvious questions. A home assessment will be conducted.”
Richard smiled again.
“And I want full financial disclosure regarding Lily’s trust.”
Richard’s smile disappeared.
Judge Ellis looked at him.
“From everyone who has attempted to access it.”
Vincent’s eyes shifted toward Richard.
That reaction was small.
But Harper saw it.
Outside the courtroom, Richard grabbed Harper’s arm.
“You think you won?”
Vincent’s hand closed around Richard’s wrist.
Not violently.
Firmly.
“Release my wife.”
Richard let go.
Vincent released him.
Richard rubbed his wrist.
“You have no idea what she dragged you into.”
Vincent’s gaze sharpened.
“Then enlighten me.”
Richard smiled.
“Ask Harper why her mother changed the beneficiary paperwork three weeks before she died.”
Harper frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
Richard walked away.
Vincent watched him.
Then looked at Harper.
“You didn’t know?”
“No.”
Vincent’s expression became grim.
May you like
“Then we have another problem.”
---
