Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 10

Ten

Dare

W ith my arm around Talia's waist, I take a deep breath and march up the cobblestone path. The mansion looms before us, a vision of red brick and white columns against manicured emerald lawns. A plethora of windows glint in the sunlight, revealing a hint of the grandeur within.

We enter through the front door, taking in the polished marble floors and ornate furnishings. A large staircase sits in the center of the foyer, its grandeur breathtaking. To our right is a formal living room, complete with a white marble fireplace and luxurious velvet chairs. To our left is an equally impressive dining room, adorned with crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets.

As we ascend the curved staircase, I look at Talia. The awe on her face at the mansion warms my heart. It's a wonderful thing to be able to give her such experiences for the first time.

"Wow," she says, looking atthe intricately carved banister. "This place is amazing."

I smile, feeling a sense of pride at her reaction. "It's just a house," I say, trying to downplay its grandeur. "But I'm glad you like it."

We reach the top of the stairs and I lead Talia down a long hallway adorned with more artwork and antique furnishings. The scent of lavender and other aromatic oils fills the air, making it feel cozy and inviting. As we near the end of the hallway, I push open a set of double doors to reveal the master bedroom.

I pause in the doorway. A mahogany desk is pushed into a corner; framed photographs adorn every surface. There is a fireplace with a beautiful velvet couch and a matching overstuffed chair. A truly grand four-poster bed sits against one wall, its curtains drawn open to allow light to stream in. Beyond the curtains is a glimpse of a covered terrace with an outdoor lounge area, tucked away out of the sun.

Talia steps forward, her gaze sweeping around the room before settling on me. "It's beautiful," she whispers softly as if afraid to break any spell that might be lingering here.

Talia's eyes are wide with wonder as she gazes around, savoring every detail. She looks like a child visiting a candy shop for the first time, and I can't help but smile.

"This is only the beginning," I reply, my voice low with emotion. Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the bed and sit down next to her. We stay there for a long moment, my heart soaring at the knowledge that this is now our home—ours to make memories together here and enjoy the short time we have as husband and wife.

Talia turns to me then, her tone hushed. "Dare," she says softly, "I don't need to be showered with gifts."

My throat tightens as emotion wells up within me, and I nod slowly before leaning in for a tender kiss. I mumble against her lips, which makes her smile.

"But what about mansions? You can't expect me to live in squalor, can you?"

Talia huffs out a surprised laugh. "I would hardly call the luxury loft that we live in now squalid."

"But it's not as nice as this place." I kiss her, stopping her protests altogether.

We stay locked in that embrace a while longer, content in each other's arms until finally we break apart and just look into each other's eyes. We've reached an unspoken level of intimacy lately and I have to say, I'm loving every second of it. I guess I was starved for affection, because now I just can't get enough of it.

I sigh, pulling Talia to her feet, and show her the rest of the house. The bedroom just next door to the master that could easily be converted into a nursery. The huge kitchen, the French doors that lead outside onto a huge patio with an Olympic-sized pool and an outdoor entertaining space.

"It's ten thousand square feet with eight bedrooms, a home theater, wine cellar, tennis courts—everything a family could want. If you like it, I'll buy it for us. Then you and the baby can be comfortable."

"We can be comfortable almost anywhere," she quips. "Honestly."

I grab her hand and graze her knuckles with my lips. "You are thinking too small. Dream big."

Talia hesitates, glancing from the imposing facade of the house to my eager smile. Her fingers twitch in my grip. I plow ahead, picturing cozy nights by the fireplace, family dinners around an oak table fit for royalty, our child's first steps on parquet floors.

"You'll never want for anything again. No more cramped apartments or counting pennies or struggling to get by. I'll give you the world, Talia. You and our daughter will have everything you've ever dreamed of."

My heart swells at the thought, but Talia's hand slips from mine. She takes a step back, pale and withdrawn. She seems shaky.

"I don't need any of this." Her voice cracks. "Not the mansion or the money or the life you're trying to buy me. You have said that all women want this... and I just need you to know that this house is not the reason I choose to stay with you."

The ground shifts beneath my feet. How could she not want this? I struggle for breath, chest tight.

"This is what I'm offering," I say, my eyes narrowing.

"And I appreciate it, but..." Talia shakes her head. "I want you , Dare. Not this lavish fantasy world you're trying to create. I want the man I fell in love with, not the billionaire with a castle."

Her words strike deep.

A chill runs through me as Talia's words echo in my mind. Have I lost the man she fell in love with? I can't help but think of the countless hours I spend at the office, buried in endless work, pushing off all other human contact. As I look around this opulent home, I'm filled with a sadness that has nothing to do with money.

Talia steps closer to me and takes my hand again. "Dare," she says softly, her dark eyes full of understanding. "You are so much more than this—than your money and power." She squeezes my fingers gently. "You're strong and brave and kind, too. That's why I fell for you."

Her words soothe something inside me, like a balm on an aching wound. It's been so long since someone saw beyond the billionaire playboy image to the real Dare—the one who spends his days volunteering at soup kitchens and rebuilding houses after natural disasters, the one who believes in second chances. Tears come to my eyes unbidden, and it feels like ages since I've felt this way—since anyone has seen beyond my surface-level persona.

"Talia..." I grit out.

Talia reaches up and cradles my face between her hands, kissing away the tears that have spilled down my cheeks. "You don't have to buy happiness," she whispers against my lips. "It's already here. Make sure you never forget that."

I reach for Talia's hand again, clinging to her like she's the most precious jewel in the world. She doesn't pull away this time.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "You're right. It's just hard for me to think in terms of you wanting me, not... all the things that I come along with."

A smile flickers on her lips and in her eyes. She squeezes my hand, and for the first time I feel the solid ground beneath my feet. "I've told you already. Stop doing what you think is expected of you. Talk to me instead." She presses my hand to her chest, just over her heart. "Ask me why I love you and I will gladly list off ten reasons. Not a single one of them will be the size of the diamond rings or the number of mansions you have."

Something tightens in my chest. I draw her hand to my lips again, my stomach flipping.

Can I trust that Talia means what she says?

Talia's words echo in my mind as we walk back to the car, hand in hand. Maybe I've been blind, chasing the wrong things.

The mansion looms behind us, cold and empty. I picture Solana running through its halls, Magda baking cookies in the kitchen, Clive tending the gardens. A family to fill these rooms with warmth and laughter.

"What are you thinking?" Talia asks.

I shrug, taking a long time to answer.

"That I was a fool to think a house could give us a home." I pull her close, breathing in the scent of her hair. "You and our daughter are all I need. We'll find a place of our own, something less decadent. All that matters is that we're together."

She smiles up at me, eyes shining. "I like the sound of that."

We reach the car and I open the door for her, heart light. The mansion was a mistake, but I'll try again. Next time, I'll really try to take Talia's personality into the equation. Maybe that will be the ticket.

I slide into the driver's seat and Talia takes my hand, threading our fingers together.She kisses my hand as I back out of the driveway.

Talia's phone buzzes in her lap, Olive's name flashing on the screen. Talia bites her lip then makes an aggravated sound as she reads the message. I arch a brow, nodding at the phone.

"What's the news?" I ask.

She shakes her head and grimaces. "Aunt Minnie's gone back to the shop. The doctors told her to rest for another week, but she wouldn't listen.”

Talia grits my teeth, heat rising in her cheeks. "That stubborn old bat. I've given her everything—took care of her medical bills, offered to renovate her store, fund her retirement—but she won't be satisfied until she works herself into an early grave."

My knuckles tighten on the steering wheel. "For God's sake. I told her we'd take care of the shop and hire someone to run it for her. Why won't she listen?"

Talia sighs, the fight draining out of me. "She's always been independent, but... I just wish she'd accept our help for once."

I reach over to squeeze her hand. "We'll figure something out. Try not to worry—it's not good for the baby."

My touch seems to soothe her frayed nerves a bit. "I know you're right, but how can I not worry? Aunt Minnie raised me after my parents died, and now she's all alone. I won't rest until I've made sure she's safe and cared for, no matter how difficult she makes it. Family means everything, after all."

I give her hand a gentle squeeze. "I know. I can see how hard you're working to keep the boat steady."

Her lips twitch and she moans. "Thanks for listening to me complain."

The warmth in her gaze wraps around me like a blanket. Whatever challenges we face, we'll face them together. Aunt Minnie, the baby, all of it.

She leans her head against the window, watching the countryside fly by. I can tell that she's still puzzled over the situation, though.

After a few minutes of silence, I finally speak. "Maybe we should consider selling Minnie's store or hiring someone new to run it for her."

Talia shakes her head. "I don't know..." she sounds hesitant.

"It would take the burden off of you and Minnie," I suggest.

She nods slowly, still unsure of the idea. "But then where would she live? We can't just ship her away from everything she knows!" Her expression is filled with worry and concern.

I take a deep breath, searching for something more comforting to say. Then, an idea strikes me. "What if we offered to buy a house for Aunt Minnie nearby so that she could still be around familiar surroundings? We could have someone look after her while we go on about our lives."

Talia hesitates, torn between what's logical and what Aunt Minnie might want. "She's always been fiercely independent—relinquishing control of her store, even temporarily, would be difficult for her. I don't know. Aunt Minnie can be stubborn. I doubt she'd go for it."

"We have all the money in the world to fix this problem," I say. "Use it."

Talia bristles at my flippant tone. "This isn't one of your business deals that can be solved by throwing money at it. Aunt Minnie's happiness and well-being are at stake here. If you can't understand that, then just stay out of it."

"I'm trying to help," I protest. "You're the one who isn't being practical."

"And you're the one who doesn't understand that money doesn't fix everything!" Talia hisses. "How can I expect you to grasp the complexities of family and loyalty when you’ve never had to work for anything in your life?"

My jaw clenches, my eyes going icy.

"Sorry I tried to help. I'll stay out of it," I say, venom dripping from my tongue.

"Thank you." Talia gives her head a little shake and looks down at her phone, typing.

All the warmth and positive rapport that we spent building this morning has been wiped away, as quickly as a cat swipes away an offending insect from midair. I can feel the tension thick in the air, and I wonder if we'll ever be able to truly understand each other.