Love Was Never in the Contract

s. For the past year, she had been running from one low-paying job to the next, each day blending into the next in a haze of deadlines, empty pro

live the life she had always dreamed of. But at twenty-eight, Isla wasn't so sure anymore. She had a stack of unpaid rent notices on her

d, like an unexpected lifeline i

Isla

onsider this offer carefully. The terms of the arrangement are non-negotiable, but the reward i

a name that sent a chill d

rates, Cross Industries. He was known for his ruthlessness in business, his meticulous attention to detail, and his cold, unfeeling persona. There were rumors about him, about how h

he reaching

to ignore. If this was some kind of scam, she could always walk away, right? But when she arrived at the sleek

tication that bordered on intimidating. Isla could feel her heartbeat quicken as she approached the front desk. The recepti

expecting yo

g so... opulent. The elevator ride felt long, too long, as it silently ascended through the floors of the building, each on

The view from the windows was breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of the city below. But Isla b

en C

l. His suit, a custom-tailored piece of dark navy fabric, clung to his broad shoulders and tapered waist with the precision of a man who knew exactly how he wanted to present hi

voice low and controlle

chair across from his desk, a movement so deliberate

, have

into a different world. She sat down carefully, folding her hands in her lap, her heart pounding agai

er at hand, Ms. Hart. I nee

oing dry. She had heard h

her voice sounding sma

ne who can act as though we are in a committed relationship for a short per

racing. "But...

nancially, and I can compensate you generously for your time. The terms are simple. We engage in a public relationshi

aze sharpening. "No attachments,

r it. The money he was offering was more than enough to solve all her problems for the foreseeable future. And if she was honest with herself

ed cautiously, trying t

"This engagement is crucial for securing a major merger. Once it's complet

vy, her mind swirling with doubts. But practicality won out, the part of her that had endured sleeples

. "What exactly do

ined. No emotions. You'll play the role of my fiancée, attend events,

r options. "And when the

ached," Lucien replied. "You'

inside her screamed to refuse, find another way. But the survival i

aid, surprising her

k over. We need to finalize this quickly, but I'll provide y

ould change everything, her identity, her autonomy, even her views on love. Yet, it was also the onl

ured, barely able to meet his ey

ucien's voice

back, meeti

coming," he said, his tone extremely calm. "

of her decision settling into her bones, and a realiz