A nurse knocked at the door. "Your step mother would like to know when you will be discharged." "Tell her I'm indisposed." Her voice came out stronger than she expected. As the nurse's

clerk approached her. "We're closing in thirty minutes." "Just a little longer," Ashlyn murmured, scanning the room. An elderly couple shuffled past, followed by a young pair taking selfies. None suitable. Her phone rang. Christopher's name flashed on the screen. "Yes?" she answered coolly. "Ashlyn." His voice was carefully controlled. "Can we meet? To discuss... our future?" "Discussing shares, you mean?" She couldn't keep the sarcasm from her voice. "I... what?" "I heard you and your mother in the garden. Very enlightening conversation." "You were spying on us?" His tone turned angry. "Hardly necessary when you discuss your schemes so openly." Ashlyn checked her watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me-" "Don't you dare hang up on me!" Christopher's voice rose. "You need this marriage as much as-" "Actually, I don't." Ashlyn smiled into the phone. "Goodbye, Christopher." She ended the call just as the clerk approached again. "Miss, we really need to-" The bureau's doors swung open. A tall figure stepped in, his expensive suit slightly rumpled, his tie loosened. Ashlyn's breath caught in her throat. The man's features were eerily familiar – like someone from her past life, someone she thought she'd never see again. He spoke quietly to his assistant: "Get the paperwork ready. I need to be married by tonight." "But sir," the assistant protested, "Miss Harris just left you at the altar! The media-" "I don't care about the media." His voice was steel. "Find me a bride. Any bride." The fluorescent lights of the Civil Affairs Bureau flickered as Ashlyn studied the man before her. His presence commanded attention, even with his disheveled appearance. "Sir, please reconsider," his assistant pleaded. "The tabloids are already having a field day with Miss Harris leaving you at the altar. Another marriage tonight would-" "Enough, James." His voice was sharp but controlled. "Find me someone suitable in the next ten minutes." Ashlyn stood, her heart pounding. In her previous life, she had known someone with that exact same commanding presence, that same determined set of the jaw. The man looked in her direction, and their gaze connected from afar in the room. "Sorry to interrupt,"