pte

-

s he dismissed it with a nonchalant shrug. He had no intention of engaging in

nt Christian in person. She knew her father's manipulative tactics all too well,

er way to Asher's Conglomerate, her heart pounding

the bustling surroundings until it settled on Christian's office door. Gathering

nce unexpected yet unsurprising. He met her gaze with a cool detachment,

u here?" Christian inquired,

her voice tinged with urgency. "Is it true

ruth behind her words. "Yes, it is," he replied evenly, his tone devoid o

n her shoulders. She had hoped against hope that there might be a way out of this fabricated ar

xpression unreadable as he observed

ons and unresolved emotions. The truth of their fabricated marriage hung between them like an

ed over her like a dark cloud. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, and she knew that navigat

-

e made her way back to her apartment. With each step, her mind churned with the grim reality of her situation, an

u've seen a ghost," Rian exclaimed, risin

er guilt threatening to crush her spirit. "Rian, we ne

layed the ultimatum her father had presented. She watched as Rian's expression shifted from confus

ith him? With his wife and kids?" Rian

Rian. My father made it clear that if I didn't comply, he would

of Laura's words. "This is insane, Laura. How could your father d

"I know, Rian. I never wanted any of this to happen, but I feel trapped,

storm of uncertainty that raged around them. "We'll figure this out together, Laura.

mer of hope begin to stir within her heart but she was still

ompany" "I don't need his" "Should I elope with Rian?" "Wha

She muttered to herself

acias M

d without even allowing her mom to reply, she walked i

ling, wh

ng Barry aback for a split sec

do you

t want

t changing my mind concerning a

before her face chang

Barry si

es manage, moreover this isn't a real marriage or whatever, we aren't getting married for real so why do I have to move in with him? It's just a

tle traces of frown on his face, "And wh