Mr. Vale's Private Ledger

I once thought relationships worked like the strictest double-entry books: every debit had a credit, and the two always balanced.

Every sacrifice and every demand could be made to balance perfectly on the ledger of life.

Then I met Ian Vale.

To save my father, who had been left in a vegetative state, I signed a five-year contract with Ian.

He was my creditor. I was his clearly priced "Mrs. Vale."

We agreed on three rules: accounts only, no love;

We would act the part, but we would not fall for each other.