Aria

my bed like a t

And my name - Aria Marie Collins - was wri

contract.

really

d already slid another warning under the door

nto my room again. "St

ank look. "What

and waved it in the air. "You don't k

ee t

l, that changes everythin

nd fell bac

ng. "I get it, babe. You're despera

per. "It's not just about money anymore

"You sure i

than I wanted to

-

Lucie

asked as he entered my

thout looking

assume th

t means she's actual

rough with this? A fake wife just to piss off th

ot just

what i

xed on the ceiling. "S

led. "You

ng glare, but he w

n, and has no idea h

why I li

ad. "This isn't

coffee. "No. I

t said othe

-

Aria

something I neve

ucien Cross

re block. Chandeliers, polished marble floors, and a

tep out of the elevator,

hing softer. Something da

he said, ste

eing. Yet," I

e living room. It was modern,

ons," I said, c

d a brow

tion. And if I say I

ut he nodded. "Fine

my eyes.

every event I ask. And you

. "Wow. Full of yo

"Just protec

ryly. "Because lo

r, voice low. "M

�

-

dra Blake (

ion screen on mute. A breaking news headli

with Unknown Brunet

hed my champa

no," I

as going to let him parade around with

t my phone

charity gala this weekend," I hissed. "An

ake things

-

: J

oing through with the contract,

e need

ore during her lunch break. She was restocking s

eally

no

ast hot in b

water. "We're not

et

ad

ally unavailable men are alway

a book at me. But behind

.. a littl

-

Aria

up three days later. I

st one - I kept telling mysel

Practical

I stepped into the glass

the door

re," he sa

you I wo

e. "Welcome to

ed warm. But th

deal with t

his desk. A younger Lucien, laughing

that?"

vanished

e photo fra

taken that a

-

Lucie

d my space befo

ee mug on the counter. A hair tie on the ba

iced in

e chan

my eyes.

put plants on

're s

ate pl

nore

the living room in one of my old sh

om the book in h

ng," I

ity slippin

-

or's

fake and real was

ontract. And a dozen secre

she could s

ght he coul

don't fol

ver signs a