a like a gateway to another world-one built on power,

g tighter, swallowed ha

footsteps. Men in tailored suits and women in sleek he

louse and secondhand shoes, but she

r herself. She was

receptionist's eyes barely flicked up from the sc

d floor, con

nelled lift, Mira sta

d, I don't know what I'm doing, but pl

evator

n to a corridor bl

oors. Prist

nference room, her steps steady

, sharp-featured assistant ap

Mira L

es

waiting. Pl

d and step

indows, minimalist design, and a long p

grey suit so sharply cut it looked li

licked up, cold

at," he sa

obe

ingers typing swiftly for another ten seconds before

erself not to flinch under

his composure icy-like a man who had learne

hy you're here," he began,

u wanted to talk,

alk, yes. About a propositio

in his chair,

in critical condition. Medical bills are p

stiff

n. No scandals. No debt. Low income. You're invisible

stunned by

do you need?" she

" he sai

a f

. You helped me project the image I need to satisfy t

the strap of her bag. "That's no

athan said, without

erstands the boundaries, someone who won't complicate things. S

the air like glass. Mir

full coverage of your father's treatment. Monthly stipend. On

the contract, bar

he said slow

eone like you would think carefully. That you'd

u expect me to say? 'Yes, thank you for buying

fted-just a flicker of something human. "I expe

ned. "I'm not thin

aised an

He's all I have left. If there's a way to save h

ght him

do anything for money or fame or power. He'd expected Mira to

s just trying to sa

unner

aying?" he asked, h

ause I want to. But because the man in that hospital bed gave eve

llowed Mira's last

, his fingers interlocked, his watch catching the sun

she gets from this," Natha

r, or even pleading. But not this c

She wasn't asking about prenups, assets, or h

thinking abou

the contract today," he said, h

fiddling with her fin

he asked, rais

nking at him. "What

ward, folding his

ssets. What happens if I die? What happens if you fall in love with someone

use I don't have the luxur

t the edges, but he

ecurity. I'm doing this so that my dad gets

wet, her jaw clenched like she was fightin

desperation... and a sort of quiet strength that

g in my house,"

ut this will be strictly professional between us. Public image only.

eplied, firme

hair, his expression unread

s. You keep your personal

spine s

r a long moment, the

here, Mira," Nathan s

r am I," sh

ar. At the end of that year, we'll file for divor

e asked, her voice su

red tha

ment once the divorce is f

o process the coldness in his tone. The l

bother you

his head

just... a tran

me is giving someone access to my world only

r chair screeching agai

pose we're

r. "The contract will be delivered to your home this evening. Read

didn't look at it. She he

gn it,"

a brow.

leave, pausi

Mr. Cole. I just have to

rt planning the wedding. Eight a.m. sharp,"

l be

the doors closed, Mira leaned her head a

doing this

it for the man