zed, filled with luxury and expectations. The Carmichael estate was sprawling, a modern architectural marvel wit

king on her bedroom door. Groggy and disoriented, she stumbled out of bed, op

the woman greeted her. "Breakfa

used to hearing her new

ed helpfully. "If you need anyt

ring a faint smil

could barely feed her family, doing all sorts to cover

it her anew. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and priceless art adorned every

able, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. He glanced u

otioning to the seat besid

tire compared to his polished appearance. "It was...

ing his coffee. "The staff is discreet, but

d heavy. Maya picked at her breakfast, her app

today?" she asked,

," Ethan explained. "They'll brief you on the public appear

. "And what exactl

f a couple who married for love. We'll attend events together, share the

?" Maya asked,

, you'll have your space, and I'll have mine," Ethan said, hi

ty, though it did little t

tion. He glanced at the screen before standing. "We'

room, leaving Maya al

erprises headquarters. The city skyline loomed in the distance, a stark contrast to the

nning the company?" she as

looking up from his phone. "He left it to me in his will

ally wanted to marry?" Maya ventured,

n the ghost of a smile. "I don't have time f

said, unable to keep the di

n said, his tone firm. "This arrangement be

She hadn't expected love, but the cold, clin

n the last. They presented her with a detailed timeline of events, from charity galas to corporate fun

re you're always aligned with Mr. Carmichael," one of the PR managers instructed

overwhelmed. "And wha

sured her, though her tone implie

her mind spinning. The pressure was immense, and she c

all this?" she asked as th

ghtful. "It's a demanding life, but it's

ife?" Maya pressed. "Do you eve

made peace with my choices. But that doesn't m

she'd touched on a sensitive topic. She

in the vast, unfamiliar space. She found herself in the library, its walls lined with sh

, a glass of whiskey in hand. He

he asked, his voic

head. "Too mu

er. "This is an adjustment for both of

hael than the stoic businessman he presented to the world. "D

t is a luxury I can't afford. I

t even if it left her feeling hollow. "

an said firmly

contract, their lives were now intertwined in ways neither of them could fully pr