'One year, no strings attached.' He'd spent hours pacing his tiny apartment, the unopened box still on

kitchen was a reminder of the life he had built-a simple, hardworking existence

ties. And a gnawing fear that no matter ho

early morning, he opened it to find Anna standing there again. She was looking pretty and distinguished in a navy gown and black thic

id as she breezed past him wit

still in yesterday's shirt and his hair a mess. He paled drastically in

confidently as if she owned the place. She glanced around. Her expression was neutral as she did so but Marcel could feel her assessing everything. That made him

on the table then patted it lightly. "Inside is the cont

frame and crossed his arms. "Y

as her red painted lips curved into a fa

as his gaze locked onto he

emind you of what you're turning down. A chance to make a difference

r. He asked softly. "Why a

rry. That is because I am a woman. They won't really pressure me if I was a man. But I do not really care about the bias. What matters is taking

uilding in his head. Still, his hesitation lingered. "Why me? You could

" she said. "I don't need a businessman or a socialite. I need so

hair. "You know this is crazy, right? A year of pre

d if it helps, we'll establish boundaries. You'll have your space a

ed to make sense of it all.

in a flat tone. "Clean

med to walk away, to stick to the life he knew. But another part-a quieter, more

word slipping out before he

me, her smile seemed genuine. Warm even

rcel stared at it for a moment before picking it up. His hand tr

iew it," Anna said as she slipped

o the last page. He signed his name ev

nd briefly brushed his as she took the f

arried into one of the wealthiest dynasties in the world. Crazy. But still

ow?" he

appearances, interviews, and of course, the wedding itself. My te

eated as he narrowe

mirk as she eyed him from his head to toes. "

his head. "Great. Married for five min

as she headed for the door. "My assistant wi

ea

ftly, pausing just long

ne with the realization that his lif

s still between his fingers and whispered to hi