, reflecting the nervous face of a woman I barely recognized. Gone were my worn jeans and comfortable sweaters, rep

crisp voice cut t

an approaching, her stilettos clickin

's personal assistant

as it. I was about to meet the man I was supposed to marry, a complete stra

minimalist reception area. Amelia le

she said, her tone neutral

breath and s

nding behind the desk. Lachlan Reid was taller than I'd expected, his presence filling the room. Dark hair, sharp jawline, and piercing blue ey

his voice deep and control

chair, my back ramrod straight. "

idence of a man used to power. "Let's cut to the chase, sha

ard. "Yes, they... they mentio

one way to put it. You need financial stability, and I need a wife

yself this wasn't about love. "Is that

t my boldness. "In my experience, Ms. Jenkins, most

t," I said, my voice

e intense. "Then enlighten

a hint of something beneath the icy exterior. Lone

e this can have meaning. That two people can choose to

abruptly, walking to the window. "Admirable sentiments, Ms. Jenkins. But this

, you'll want for nothing financially. But you'll also be entering my w

ard. "What ki

ically. "You'll be expected to play a role, to be the perf

e mountain of debt waiting for me, of the future I'd lost whe

unded more confident than I felt. "

d to his desk and pressed a button on his phone

e fell between us. I fidgeted with my

d suddenly, "what did you do b

f guard. "I... I was a te

s expression. "Noble pro

mitted, surprised

red with a thick document. Lachlan t

per across the desk to me. "Take it home, read it carefully. If you a

he decision pressing down on me. When I l

began, but h

e're to be married, you s

. "I just want to know... are you sure about this? You could

erstepped. But then he sighed, running a hand t

ons that go beyond business requirements." His tone

leave, Lachlan stepped closer. For a breathless moment, I tho

h," he said as we shook hands. The con

? Whatever you decide, I'd advise you to be careful. It seems our

se quickening. "

ut off by the shrill ring of his phone. His e

already lifting the phone to his ear. "We'll

reeling from the encounter, I heard Lac

ell did they find-" His words were cut off

Who was "they"? And what kind of d

id was hiding something. And if I went through with this marr

stepped out, a man in a dark suit caught my eye. He

n's warning echoed in my

and hurried toward the exit, the ma