The Contract That Changed Everything

A

ou ne

from my thoughts as the car

edge of my seat so tightl

're a terrible liar, Ava. Relax.

someone's fiancée," I shot back, my voice edged with d

ing for this is life-changing. No more scrubbing coffee machines for minimum wage, no more s

ason I agreed to this insane plan-to give her the life she deserved. One week ago, I'd sen

oss doesn't care who pl

ass building. "He just needs someone convincing enough to

part-time, his easygoing nature and relentless optimism making him one of the few bright spots in my day. Until he comes with this p

nd before I knew it, we were st

. Daniel said as we entered, hi

orcing a polite

desk looked up, a

r expected to see ...no, not e

t now-older, sharper, every inch the powerful businessman. But those p

emories I'd buried year

ned in recogn

in his voice, after all these ye

Without warning, he pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wra

gain, almost like he

th all my strength. My voice was sharp, but my

ion unreadable. "I didn't th

't a reunion. I'm married, and I'm only here because of the con

my heel and headed for the door. My heart was pounding, my mind

's voice followed me

st heaving as I pushed the do

*

as brutal, but I didn't notice much of it. I'd plugged in m

mmediately dove into cleaning. Sweeping, wiping, scrub

even danced so hard like a crazy person. Fake smiles, fake energy-it

l's name on the screen. My chest tightened, but I

*

at the coffee shop. The familiar routine ga

ned to see Mr. Daniel walking in. He smile

y on the counter. "Are you avoi

ing to wipe an alrea

just too much

. "Come on, talk to me

wisted. My hands stilled, gripping the edg

l him that Raymond was the boy I once lov

high school sweetheart, the one who spent a year breaking down my walls, running after me just to win my hear

road without a word. And the worst part-the part I still can't fully process-was the video clip his

y future, but it also gave me the one thing

s voice broke thro

silent. His concerned gaze pierced through t

e that, the

ks, unstoppable, and I bur

oice was gentle, but

ould