All Chapters of Married For The Show: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

RAINA.I stood frozen against the wall for what felt like hours but was probably only seconds. Teddy had returned to Castor's side, his hand resting on my husband's shoulder with disgusting familiarity."Now," Castor said, checking his watch like nothing had happened, "we have the Cameron Foundation event tonight. Red carpet at eight. You need to get ready.""I'm not going anywhere with you," I said, finding my voice.His eyes narrowed. "Yes, you are. And you're going to smile and tell everyone how happy you are. How blessed you feel to be married to me. Do you understand?""No."He pulled out his phone and showed me a picture. It was my mother's restaurant, thriving, full of customers. Then he swiped to another photo. Documents. Legal documents."One phone call, Raina. One phone call and I foreclose on everything. Your mother will lose her life's work. Your brother will pulled out of college. Your family will be homeless by morning."I felt trapped. Like the walls were closing in on

RAINAA week had passed since I met Sylvester at the bar.I thought about his card every single day. It sat in my purse like a bomb waiting to explode. But every time I reached for my phone, I stopped myself.Too dangerous. Too risky.If Castor found out, he would destroy my family. Better to endure this nightmare for five years than risk everything.At least, that's what I told myself.Until Wednesday afternoon.I came home from a charity luncheon to find Teddy's suitcases in the hallway. Four large bags, expensive designer brands that I knew my husband had bought for him.My stomach dropped."What's going on?" I asked Maria, who was dusting the staircase.She wouldn't meet my eyes. "Mr. Rowland is moving Teddy into the master bedroom, ma'am."My blood ran cold. "What?""He asked me to help you move your things to the guest room downstairs."No. Absolutely not.I stormed up the stairs and found Castor in our bedroom, hanging Teddy's clothes in my closet. My closet."What do you think

RAINAI barely slept that night.Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined what would happen tomorrow. What Sylvester would say. What he would tell me to do.Could I even do it?That last thought scared me more than anything.By morning, I was exhausted and jittery with nerves.Castor left for his office at eight thirty, just like always. He didn't even look at me as he walked past.Good.I waited twenty minutes to make sure he was really gone. Then I got dressed quickly.I covered the fading bruises on my face with makeup. Not perfect, but better than yesterday.I told Maria I had a doctor's appointment and left in a hurry.The drive downtown felt like it took forever. My hands were sweating on the steering wheel.The Brian Tower was massive. All glass and steel, reaching up into the sky.I found the private entrance on the east side, just like he said. There was a security guard there. When I gave my name, he nodded and pointed me to a private elevator."Tenth floor, ma'am. Mr. Brian

RAINAI drove straight home. Speeding along the highway like a mad woman with an emergency.Lucky enough, I made it home with twenty minutes to spare.I changed out of my clothes quickly, touched up my makeup and positioned myself in the front sitting room with a book open in my lap. Looking like I had been there all afternoon. Every few minutes I checked my watch. Every few minutes I checked my phone.I was learning faster than I expected.When I heard Castor's car pull into the driveway my spine went rigid. I forced my shoulders down. Softened my expression. Turned a page I hadn't read.He walked in and paused at the doorway. His eyes moved over me slowly, searching for something he could use. I didn't look up immediately, timing it carefully so that when I finally did meet his eyes it looked natural. Unbothered. Like a woman with absolutely nothing to hide."You're home," he said."I've been home for a while," I replied, keeping my voice light.He walked further into the room and s

SYLVESTERI heard the knock at my door twelve minutes later.I knew it was Patrick before he even opened it. He had a particular knock. Three sharp raps, a pause, then one more. Like punctuation. Like everything else about him, it was precise, deliberate and slightly annoying."Come in," I said.Patrick Beckham walked in wearing a navy suit and the expression he reserved specifically for when he thought I had done something wrong. Eyebrows slightly raised. Lips pressed together. Eyes moving around the room like he was gathering evidence.He was thirty one years old and sometimes acted like he was my father."There was a woman leaving your private elevator," he said, closing the door behind him."Good afternoon to you too, Patrick.""That woman." He walked to the chair across from my desk and sat down without being invited. "Raina Rowland. As in, the wife of Castor Rowland? As in, the man we are currently running against for the assembly seat?""I know who she is.""Do you?" He leaned