on's

people, and Olivia Chen was drowning. The worn soles on her shoes, the way her hands trembled

rf

?" I pulled out of

indow, her reflection ghostly against the city lig

onto the Bay Bridge. "Besides, I

andmother's in

ing thirty-five in six months. My grandfather's will stipulates that I must be married by then to in

face me. "Th

, commitment, all the qualities that make a good leader." I to

here's a line of women who'

ss surprised me. I usually kept that locked down. "I tried love once.

Cynica

anced at her. "Yo

nt. "I think you're hurt

t people told me what I want

small, tired-looking Victorian that had s

My grandmother meant what she said.

less. "She saw me for five minu

ou treated me like a person, not a bank account." I

erstand what this

divorce quietly, you get a settlement, everyone moves on." I watched her face. "In exchange, I'll pay off yo

ll open. "Yo

d money. I need a wife.

s fr

drive here. Marriage for twelve months, public appearances as needed, separate bedrooms, complete discretion. You'll

e home?" She stared at me like I'd gr

he document. "You'd live in my penthouse, attend events, play the role of devot

even kn

e three hundred thousand in medical debt from your mother's cancer treatment. Your catering business is barely breaking even

pale. "How do

tners. And that's what you'd be. A partn

But she didn't ge

your dreams because the healthcare system failed your family." I softened my voice slig

ress, find someone from your w

ine, which will sell the story. And because you're desperate enough to consider this but prin

enty-two

public records. Your brother Marcus still lives here while finishi

into fists. "You re

ed across and opened her door. "My card is in your pocket. I put it th

, her expression somewhere between impre

creatively. There's a difference."

en leaned back in.

have been." I held her gaze. "But you won't say no. Because underneath that pr

on't k

cipes even though it must hurt. I know you kicked my car tire when you thought no one was watching." I started the engine.

d walked toward her hou

side before driving away.

anor's voic

'll

ound c

the freeway. "She'll fight it, rationalize it, may

you're

called me out in front of my investors. The way she

She just doesn