SIGN MARRIAGE TO GET REVENGE

A'S

the white wedding dress that felt too luxur

de. Part of me wishes it would never go away, because the s

undoes his bow tie with a casual gesture, as

ndra," he said suddenly,

fists above the skirt of my dr

to keep a cal

asked, my voice shaking slightly

nd, his face e

a," he said, emp

stiffly. Wait, how

artner's character? I know everything," L

idiot. He didn't say anyt

Cassandra, why didn't he ca

cas asked. He walked over to me

y from his. For a few seconds, he watched me intens

her jaw, whereas you do," Lucas said as

was gripping my chin. I suddenly panic

he was laughing at me. Now I felt really stupid. How c

andra, why didn't you call

moment he looked off in a random directio

lmost bankrupt. I did yo

amily can only get money from your fa

ope other than this arranged marriage. Your father, Mr.

ruth. But somehow it s

sure that's not the only reason you'

e. Even so, I realized his lopsided smile im

an ideal marriage," he said quietly,

nding to be Cassandra, but I have plans

ing into his shar

greem

"I'll keep the family name, and you'll get protectio

down my spine. I tried to read his expression, looking for

efuse?" I a

mile that looked more lik

ll fall apart. For you. For me. For

ing like it was being churne

r, confusion, and, somehow, a little fear.

riage c

true in the middle of what was supposed t

ructible wall. His dark eyes stared at me emotionlessly, l

marriage a contract?" I asked f

f hesitation. "I've never b

ing to match his height even

out contracts. It's about... lov

oting cheesy romance bo

like I'd just said s

u really think that applies to us, Clara? You

I showed no reaction. I must not g

ons," I said qu

s time with a little

not about love or happy dreams. It's about a win-win

oss my chest, lookin

do you nee

enough distance to make me feel cornered. "I need a wife," he said, his tone softer

be a doll, is tha

like a joke. "I want you

in his voice that made me feel that this wasn't just about him. Tha

vily. "But if you want me to agree

yebrows, intrigued

e every word came out clearly. "If this is about coo

sn't warm. "How ironic, coming from

as right, but that didn't me

something. Then she said, "Alright, I

g to guess what

said finally. "No one should know, incl

? Isn't this ju

sn't need to know that this marriage is just a game. You know how people

't understand, and I didn't have the energy to deal wit

ally. "But I have

is arms over hi

hy did you marry me anyway?" I ask

're the only person crazy enough to stick by my side," she say

your business. This is the Purchase

asn't something I expected. I had never gotten a prop

the location, and the price attached. It wasn't a small number-the amount wa

ever. As if what I had just seen w

trying to find the answer in his eyes, but

ays finally, his voice soft yet firm. "I've been looking into it-about what you liked, what you dreamed of before all this happened. And

confusion. "You m

ew consultants and made sure everything is in order. I want you to have a bu

r. "This is too big. I don't even know if I

at was always hard to guess. Maybe it was warmth, maybe it was hope,

not something ordinary. I know you feel like it's just a deal. But I want you to know, Clara, that I h

only saw me as part of his plan, a tool to maintain his image in the

w what to sa

ake some time to think about this. If you don't want to run

as... thank you. This is... amazing. But

His back was straight, his hands tucked into his pants pockets, creating the perfect silhouette of a man who l

ound. "I don't understand why you're so hesit

y lap. "I doubt it because I'm not sure I can do it,"

that made it hard for me to look away-it was as if he could see right into my mind, into my fea

r worse than just starting a business. You survived a man who treated you lik

th Ethan always made my heart feel tight, but this time there was something dif

life to be about... re

ragement. "It's not just about revenge, Clara. It's about proving to the world-and to yourself-that you're mo

l her body heat. His hand reached out, picked up

be the place where you can rebuild everything. I don't just want you to succeed, Clara. I

hidden agendas, but all I see is honesty. Lucas is a man of

" I whispered, my voice

o his eyes. "You can, Clara. I know you can. And

ght, something I couldn't explain. She wasn't just offering help or support; s

asked, trying to mask my

icism like usual. "What's in it for me? I get the satisfaction

t just talking about a business deal or a contract marriage. He was talki

r than I expected. "I'll do it. I will b

leaned back against the sofa, looking at me with eyes that shone with sat

long time, I felt that maybe