road trip, driving through the desert, when the brakes on their car failed. They crashed into a massiv

t the hospital. It wasn't long before I collapsed from pure exhaustion. Chloe was there for me. She seemed so sympathetic, so caring. She suggested that I hire a

e I already knew Liam, it felt like the perfect solution. I agreed, and she was right. Liam was incredible. He was professional, attentive, and he cared

e house was designed exactly to my tastes, a final gift from a man I barely got to say goodbye to. But the place was huge, and living there all by myself felt empty

ed perfect. So, I agreed. I even invited her parents to stay for the holidays, wanting to build a real fam

not know that this h

bout my company going bankrupt. It would explain her demanding I pay rent or le

k. I had to know. I found Chloe in the

nts not know that th

s about to stammer out an explanation when Liam stepp

" he said, his voice full of regret. "I was the on

to see us successful. She wanted me to buy a house. But with the housing prices in this area, how could I ever afford that? I didn't w

uth, of course. I planned to tell them right after you and Chloe got married. I never, ever

us, and although she had recovered, Liam still wasn't married or settled. If a "white lie" like this could bring some p

," I said patiently. "But you can't hide a lie like this

r property. It's still a very nice house. We can just tell them that one is

d with tears. This time, they

so thoughtful and understanding. I promise, I'll explain the whole situation about thi

layfully nudging her. "Hey, we

ef on his face. "Ethan, you're the best. Seriously. Chl

as soon as you can. A husband this good won't stay on the

I had planned to tell them all about the eighty-million-dollar bonus tonight, to share the incredible news and celebrate with