“That seems awfully short.”
The lawyer shrugged. “It’s actually very difficult to have these sorts of triggered inheritance clauses hold up in court. Six weeks is a reasonable burden.”
“But he’s not staying married to her. He can’t!” my father said desperately.
“He can get an annulment, at which point the funds return back into holding. There is only about three months left until the deadline, at which point all the money goes to charity. So if you want the money, Chris, you would have to find a different woman, fall in love, and marry within the next three months.”
“Or I would,” my father said, eyes glittering.
“You don’t believe in marriage,” I reminded him.
He shook himself. “That’s right. I don’t, and I won’t be blackmailed into getting married. Furthermore, I will not allow you to ruin your life for money that Grace is going to take half of anyways.”
Except that it wasa lotof money. It would be a huge cash infusion that I wouldn’t have to beg around town for. It was ten billion dollars. I would be—well, I was already extremely wealthy, but now I would be a power player. The Svenssons would have to come begging tomefor help with big projects.
“File the paperwork,” my father repeated, jabbing a finger at each Svensson brother.
They didn’t say a word.
“Come,” he barked to me, striding out of the door.
When he was out of earshot, Josh said to me, “How about we hold off on this and go for a divorce after you clear the six-week mark. Think you can stay married for another four weeks?”
“For ten billion? Fuck yeah!”
I just had to convince Grace to go along with it.
31
Grace
Ifelt lighter as I walked out of the publishing house to the subway for my next appointment.
I might possibly be getting published, and I was finally getting an annulment. Today was a great day! In fact, to give a nod to karma, I would make Chris a lasagna.
Grace:I need you to teach me how to make lasagna.
Elsie:Oof.
Grace:I can cook!
Elsie:Can you?
Grace:Chris likes my cooking.
Amy:You’re cooking for that man-baby!
Sophie:Grace said he was packing 10 inches. Doesn’t look like a man-baby to me.
Ivy:I can’t believe it was 10 inches. That doesn’t even sound right.
Grace:Yes, and as thick as a beer can.
Sophie:Grace hasn’t seen a penis in years. I think that’s an exaggeration.
Brea:You have to measure it, Grace. Length and girth.
Ivy:Betting pool, ladies!
