Chapter 11

• Valerie and Michael chatted for over an hour as they ate their first dinner as husband and wife. Despite the unconventional circumstances of their union, the conversation flowed easier than Valerie expected. Michael regaled her with tales of his alleged business dealings, though she couldn't shake the suspicion that he was purposely omitting the more nefarious aspects of his enterprise.
• As the hour grew late, Valerie started feeling the weight of the day's tumultuous events weighing her down. Being left at the altar, hastily marrying this mysterious stranger - it was all too much to process in one fateful afternoon. She stifled a yawn, hoping Michael wouldn't notice her steadily drooping eyelids.
• "Tired?" Michael's voice was low, laced with a tinge of concern Valerie couldn't quite gauge as sincere or performative.