ilding into the cold midnight air. The win

ace she had called home for t

r family and Carson's betrayal replaying in her mind like

le of water, and sat by the window. The city lights blurre

ave them, completely. Not just move out, but beco

e, scrolling through jo

City's exorbitant rents

. On her own, escaping their grip would

house on the Upper East Side,

down at the city. He had just ended a video call with his fa

, the glass making a sharp sound

his funds if he didn't agree to get engaged to Gemma Beaumon

tant, calling to inform him that a reservation

y," Hardy said co

ng. He needed a wife, yes-a tool to get th

childhood playmate, Chloe Beaumont. The girl who h

for chasing a ghost, for rejecting a

faded photograph of a little girl with pigtails

image, a rare softness in h

ce store, Chloe's pho

ber. She had made her decision. She would

s she would have never entertained before. She needed s

uld no longer wait passively. He picked up his phon

ng no room for argument. "Use every resour

the other end. "Sir,

ograph. "No," he said, his voice l

someone... who lo

breaking points, were now hurtling

marriage of convenience. Housing and financial issues solved." She swiped