6:45 p.m. In fifteen minutes, a car would arrive to take her to dinner with Lucas Kane,

She didn't even know if she could trust herself to make the right decis

uilding. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her coat and headed

r?" he aske

ed, her voice tr

. "Right

ed Manhattan. The bright lights of the city made her feel even more out of place. By the time they stopped in fron

ng room to a private table. Lucas was already seated, sipping a glass of wine. He stood wh

er with a polite smil

in return. "I was

ere yo

to fidget. The waiter appeared almost immediately,

as waved it away. "We'll have th

Don't I get a sa

"Trust me. The chef here

she trusted him yet

rward. "This is your big p

that time, you'll attend events with me, act as my wife, and help me secure a deal that requires me to appear stable and settle

him. "You make i

e calm. "If you're willing to loo

around the idea. "But marriage is supposed

ooking for love, Elena. I'm looking for a partner w

y me? You don't even kno

You're hardworking, honest, and not interested in

"You make me sound l

re," he said wit

plate of scallops and some kind of fancy garnish. Ele

f I say no?" sh

re," Lucas said bluntly. "A

ouldn't deny they were tru

say yes?"

" he said, his tone softer now. "And you'll walk away

d his expression. He was calm, col

you telling m

head slightly. "W

e true," she said. "Th

irmly. "I get what I need, an

t. Her mind was spinning. Could she really marry a stran

to think," sh

ekend. But remember, this

mix of fear and hope. This wasn't just a dinner it was

older Lucas had handed her at dinner sat on her lap like a ticking time bomb. She hadn't

teps slow and hesitant. Once inside, she locked the door behind her and collapsed onto th

lear as Lucas had said. Six months of marriage. Attendance at public events

but also to deposit a lump sum into her account at the end of the contract. It was more mon

would it

her thoughts. She reached for it and s

fancy dinner? Sp

whether to tell Clara the truth. She needed advice,

"It was... interesting.

Lucas Kane was offering her a lifeline, but it came with strings attac

Week

act herself. But even as she restocked shelves and chatted with t

She grabbed the folder and headed to Clara's apartm

de grin. "Finally! I've been dying to h

e," Elena said,

ays, with colorful throw pillows scattered on the

Clara asked, flopp

the folder to her chest. "P

eyebrow. "That b

a everything about Lucas, his proposal, and the contract sitting in

"This billionaire guy wants to marry yo

, feeling heat ri

y you enough money to

es

her arms. "Elena, this sound

in her hands. "But what choice do I have?

n she leaned forward, her express

d up, start

him to keep his word? Because if you don't,

is confidence, and the way he'd looked her in

"But he seems... genuine. In h

is risky, Elena. Yo

Elena sa

with Clara pointing out the parts that worried her. By the time Ele

y Mor

phone for what felt like an eternity. Lucas's business c

hone, her heart pou

fore he answered

said, her voice tr

id smoothly. "Have yo

, taking a deep bre

. I'll have my lawyer send over the final pap

tightened. "This is real

don't worry, Elena. You're

words reassured her o