Chapter 17

• "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Ellis shouted, rising from the couch. "Marriage contract?"
• "Miss Barker..." the notary began, catching the young woman's attention. He handed her a few stapled pages and continued reading the contents. "This is the marriage contract entered into by all members belonging to families like Don Vittorio's. It is normal for members like them to draft this type of contract to protect themselves and also favor the person joining the family. Formalizing this document clarifies the objectives of the parties involved in the relationship to avoid problems and facilitate an agreement between the parties."
• "You can't be serious about this," Ellis said, staring at the paper. She briefly read some clauses and then nervously laughed, looking at Vittorio. He must be joking with her. "These clauses... This contract... I will never sign this!"