bustling streets of Los Angeles swirled around her in a blur of motion and noise, but she felt detached from it all, her mind spinn

g her from her daze. Lila reached for

her m

that the relief in her mother's voice

r's voice was gentle, but there was an undercurren

voice. "It went... well, M

sigh. "I was so worried. This is wonderful ne

the truth-that she had just agreed to a marriage of convenience with a ruth

she said evasively. "But it looks like

e other end. "Lila, are you

pushing the tremor from her voice. "

"You've done so much for us already. I know how hard

heavy with the weight of her decis

eetie. I

you to

knew she was doing this for her family, but that didn't make it any easier. Marrying a man like D

and back to her small, cluttered apartment. The contrast between her world and Dominic's couldn't have been more stark. Hi

inished wedding plans greeted her, offering a small sense of comfort. Lila dropped her bag o

The thought lingered in the

ain. This time, it

er will send over the con

armth, no reassurance, just a command-cold and transactional, like everything else abou

he wedding plans scattered across her coffee table. Lila had always found comfort in her

s a wedding planner on the verge of the

nd in designing someone's perfect day was gone. It was all tainted now. Her marriage to Domin

e tossed the magazine aside

ng anyone. She walked over to the door and opened it to find her best fri

ed with a grin. "I figured you could use

stepping aside to let Cla

ied Lila's face, her own smile fad

since college, and if anyone would understand the impossible situation sh

o begin," Lila muttered, s

er. "Well, start with the b

the debts. My family will keep the house

I feel like there's a

bed her hands over her face.

r mouth dropping

business deal. He needs a wife for some image thing, and he thinks I'

aight. You're going to marry Dominic Westwood, the billionaire whose face is on ha

, humorless laugh. "

is insane. You can't marry a man like that. He's... well, he's terrifying.

on't have a choice. If I don't do this, my fami

ression softening. "I get that. I do. But

s holding all the cards, Clara. And

. "You don't have to do this alone. We'll figure

ng the weight of the decision pressin

situation settling between them. Clara handed Lila o

at least make sure you get a killer wardrobe ou

r didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah. I guess I'

cling back to Dominic. His icy blue eyes, his commanding presence, the way

, but what would happen onc

or would Dominic Westw