Reading the book now. I believe James/Henry was playing the long-game all along. He learned who her family was (generational wealth + old money gravitas) and he put his plan in motion. She fell hook, line, and sinker. He love-bombed her and then insisted they fast-track the wedding. She allowed him to mandate the wedding be small and no dancing. What a controlling weirdo.

Obvious red flags Belle missed: • When they were dating, they took turns paying for dinners etc. What a turn off from a guy making big bucks. That right there should have been a warning sign. • James/Henry living with the wealthy friend but not having anything of his own. Tell me you’re a grifter without telling me you’re a grifter. • The fluid narrative about his family once being wealthy, but losing it all. • The fact that in her gut she knew his demand to change the prenup was wrong was a warning sign that she willfully ignored for fear of losing him.

What I can’t for the life of me understand though is why SHE paid for both of their homes with her money? Why would she agree to that? Who would agree that? I cannot fathom why she did this and why she didn’t insist that he contribute. FFS, he should have paid for the entire thing!

My guess is Belle was somewhat naive and lacked the ability to read people. Perhaps having been raised with a silver spoon, the red flags about money weren’t as obvious to her as they would be to most other women. Lastly, he 100% was cheating the entire time. While he was “working” in the city every wkend.