them with a soft click t

t move. Did not speak. Just stood there with his back to her, shoulders rigi

ounded like another world. A world where Lia was not married to a man she barely

out barely above a whisper. She hated how small she sounded.For

he tu

o billionaire armor. No cold CEO glare. Just a man drowning

rd. Cold as the Paris

sister?" The words tasted bitter even as she said them. She did not want t

urt. "I was driving. Ava was next to me. We hit black ice on the bridge ou

hit harder than Claire's

in her eyes. The cameras in his penthouse. The way he tracked

here because" He

not cruel. It was exhausted. "Same height. Same stubborn chin. S

he picked. The way he had stared at her before the gala like

d. Then, softer, like he was admitting i

her. Lia should have m

at me, I see her. Every time you refuse to back down, I see her. And it kills me, Lia. Becaus

o that. Don't make this about me

am

ket, ,"You picked me off the street because I looked like y

? Taking my money to pay your mother's hospital bil

mutt

he jacket on her shoulders. His fingers brushed her collarbone and Lia's brea

he mu

and for a second he did not look rut

spered, but she d

One touch. Barely there. "

ny secrets," she

air between them went heavy, electric. Ethan l

steps. He

s. We have

hompson stood in the doorway, face pale under the balc

ammed back on i

. Screen glowing. "The will. It is been leaked o

nt rigid. "How? That

BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET MARRIAGE CLAUSE. WIFE MUST REMAIN 'FAITHFUL' OR LOSE E

ed. The jacket slip

han said. No

Thompson

outs started. "Mr. Rivers! Mrs. Rivers! Is it

them. They had foun

heard him. He grabbed her wrist, grip firm but not

it was business. Just business. But you look at me like I'm Ava. So what a

hung there. U

lights reflected in his eyes

e the only thing keeping me from losing everything. Again. I do not

t was not in the contrac

r flash. Closer this time. Some

the cameras with his body. His arm came around her waist an

red in her ear, but it was for

er temple as he sa

ket. His arms. The way he said

an kept one arm around her as they pushed through the

Did you know

marriage

did you kill

d like safety and danger all at once. His hand

t and cut off the noise. Silence. J

t go imm

cket tighter. "So

underground garage. His eyes

smile touched his lips. The CEO

The eleva

s opened

of cameras flashed like lightning. . His hand stayed locked ar

he ordered, voic

han followed, slamming the door behind them. The tinted windows went up and s

," Eth

e leather seat. She could still he

city blurred past outside. Paris at night look

"You said 'we fight'.

ing. But close enough she could feel the heat. "It means Claire leaked the will because she

she died in a crash. You were driving. But Clai

He stared out the

ng between

stop herself. Her fingers brush

ot, Not

were dark again. But not empty.

were fighting. She found out I was cutting ties with Claire's family. The Rivers and Moreau families h

ed. "So it was not

d. "It was my fault.

ound her shoulders. Without thinking, she tucked it tighter around

went s

ut his voice was no

pered. "Want comfort? F

my wife, Lia

ike I am." The words came

turned her face up to his. Not rough. Not cruel.

to her mouth. "You are the only person in two years who is looked a

The car felt too smal

rs. One hand still on her chin. , finally wrapped around her wai

tted against her skin. "I don't know h

against her chest. The way his hand trembled,

lose me," s

ved a breath away from hers. She could feel it. The pul

urled into hi

zed. Violent. Loud

slid back on instantly. He released her and pulled

a asked, v

r. He just showe

Dancing with him. FAKE WIFE.

2.4 mill

Ethan said. "She is not waiting f

ge. Her stomach twist

o her fully. But his hand stayed on her waist. "She

e opened ahead. Lights of hi

with both hands. Force

keeping you here because of you. If Claire wants a war, sh

rushed her

derstand?"

k. All she could feel was his hands and the way

oors opened. Secur

but not before his fing

look

tonight. Tonight, you sleep

ght it before it hit the ground. He draped it over her again, slower thi

murmured. So low

es almost