Chapter 10: Steph - What About a Prenup?

Steph was pacing in her room at the mansion. She wanted to know who the men were that Linc had met with earlier, and the butler informed her it was the family’s lawyers. Steph couldn’t stand the butler. She couldn’t even remember the stuffed shirt’s name. No matter. ‘He’s getting canned as soon as possible.’

But she was pretty sure why the lawyers were there. Linc hadn’t mentioned it, but she was certain it was the last major hurdle to overcome. The prenup! This would take a lot of finesse. She heard a knock as Linc entered her sanctuary.

“Steph got a minute?”

“Sure, Sweetie! What’s up?”

“I’m a bit embarrassed and don’t know how to say this, so let me blurt it out.”

“You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s—my lawyers. They’re insisting on a prenuptial agreement.”

“What’s that even mean?” She thought she would first try the naïve approach.

“It’s something they say we need to protect me in—you know, in the event things don’t work out and—and you want to leave me.”

“What? We’re not even married and you’re worried about divorce?”

“It’s not me, honey. But my lawyers think it’s important.”

“Really? So you think we’re doomed to fail?” She did her best to fake tears. The thought of kissing a half-billion goodbye helped her water-up her eyes quickly.

“No. Don’t take it like that! Please.”

“How do you want me to take it? If that’s the way you think, let’s call it off now. Hell, if you think we’re doomed, I’ll protect you by not marrying you at all!” Her fake sobbing was Oscar-worthy.

“Don’t be like that. You know I love you!”

“It doesn’t feel that way. How can the lawyers tell you to do this if you don’t want to? Don’t they work for you?”

“Yes, but...”

“No buts. You tell them to go to hell, or we can call it all off!” She played her final card hoping he had the balls for this. If he did, then she had him by those family jewels.

Linc paced, pondered, and thought of what to do.

“Alright, Steph. I’ll tell them to pound sand. I love you, I trust you, and we don’t need this.”

Steph had done it. She’d beat the prenup threat. She sang her personal ‘Bridal March’ song of victory in her mind –

“Here comes the bride

Takin’ this chump for a ride!”

She texted Paul with the good news.