rr

A man like him-rich, powerful, and devastatingly handsome-could have any woman he wanted with the sna

hesitated, how he kept choosing his words like he was trying not to startle me, made something in me

ing, then what was a little freedom to sacrifice? It's not like I had much of it to begin with. And love? Romance? That had always been a

ight on my shoulders. "What exactly is in the contract?" I asked again

room, deliberately far from me, like even the air between us was so

any intention o

l image. That's it. Your character would need to be above question. You'd have to maintai

y, but then he continued, and

ld have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. And any such relationship must happen discreetly, under my ro

t wasn't quite a question, not quite a statement, more of a stunned echo

to seek companionship if that's what you want. I have no intention of interfering with your personal life. But eve

as. Then I saw it, a flicker in his expression. His lips curled s

n my cheeks, though I couldn't say i

ked, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "You th

erfectly sculpted head. How could someone be so arrogant? "Why, then?" I dema

s. That's all. This marriage is strategic. You help stabiliz

e?" It was the question I hadn't wanted to ask because I was afraid of the answer, because it wasn't like I had one power or

w I could refuse it. If he had said he wanted my body, I would've given it, no hesi

rries a woman he do

ole life had been a series of things I never had, never could want, never dared to dream of. And now, suddenly, I was

't make

e. Not hotel maids who scrubbed toilets and hummed to keep themselves from crying. He wasn't wrong, th

hat's why h

cause he could see desperation

ay yes if I wer

be

caretaker, and his hope. The doctors said time was running out. And here this man was, offering not just the

ke it. If I said yes, I'd lose w

old, I never r

hing feet, sleepless nights, and a constant knot of worry in my chest. The only thing that had kept m

ake sure h

wound to nurse in private. Still... something about the way he smiled, that arrogant glint in his eye, stirred s

isted it, the answer a

no c

marry

me my pride. My c

e was worth far mor

ould he be... gay? And if he was gay, who cared? N

hat if he r

raying the storm of

y my eyes widened, because why then did he reply to me with, "I

raight through me, like every unspoken thought was laid bare in front of him. Then he sa

of my wife is because we're not attracted to each other; at least, I'

u