dn't thought much about the incident after leaving-at least, not consciously. But as

to his office without knocking

laptop. "I haven't che

he screen displaying a hea

th Billionaire CEO Leo Ha

. "You've got to

ne of them walking out of the ER entrance. And the worst one-him paying her

ed... i

as protec

ragging a hand down his face. "Ho

said. "If you sneeze in publi

idn't

tinued. "Everyone wants to know who she

's n

Internet

is chair, eyes narro

he bus. And based on how this looks-" he pointed to the photos, "-people are already romanticizing it.

one buzz

Misse

(7 T

nk. "Speak o

-

his parents' mansion in Buckhead. Sunlight streamed through ta

front of the fireplace with her phone in one

on the edge of the chaise lounge

Margaret snapped, waving the phone at him.

friend," Leo said

g her out of a hospital. Paying her bil

ar and didn't want her to

d an eyebrow.

ed. I took her to the hospital and

t matter now. Everyone already believes y

at her. "

n for years," Richard added. "And no

iend," Leo repeated.

Margaret said, eyes gleaming. "

led. "Th

ition. Always ready to say you're too young, too single

"So you want me to p

u to make i

rked a short laugh

gacy matters. Presentation matters. If the board starts thinking you're unstable

revenue in the last tw

if your image costs us shareho

a girl is as sweet as she looks, then bri

e didn't have time for this. He had deadlines, mee

tried to do t

-

his untouched dinner. The city sparkled outside hi

who looked too tired to fight back. Who flinched when her landlord screamed. Who tried

't want

afford to lose h

zed. A messag

uestions. Damage c

text-unexpect

ci

you okay? I'm sorry this happene

d at the

worried

rse sh

igh, Leo

voice was s

It'

. "I didn't expe

dn't cause this. I did. I shoul

ilence on t

ce low. "This is going to sound

ay.

d if I don't prove I'm in a stable relationship-prefer

sil

kly. "Just... pretend. For six months. Be my fiancée

ou want me to fake a

No kissing. Just photos, dinners, an

n't answer

hispered,

ted. "Six

haled

r rent for the year, and whatever e

l didn't

said. "But think about it. I

e hun