365 Days with Him

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by Arr

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hat infuriating smirk etched across his face, his eyes glowing with a mix of arrogance and s

ssible that the man I had spent one reckless, intoxicating night with, the man who had ignited a fire i

s spinning out of control

weight on my chest. "I can't believe this," I muttered under my breath, barely able to sup

sh accent slid across the air like velvet, making every syllable feel like a tauunt. He leaned back in his chair,

ng bitter on my tongue. "If this

d between us with growing concern. "What's going on here, Mary?" His tone

ur future in his hands was the same man whose body I had shared myself with the n

tension. "She knows me," he said, leaning forward slightly, hi

with every passing second. I shot him a venomous look, my voice shaking

, shrugging as though my disc

of my father's gaze pressing against me, questioning a

voice cracked, his disbelief and g

at a party," I muttered quickly, refusing to mee

d with an unmistakable satisfaction. "Oh, it's exactly what he t

my fists under the table, trying desperately to hold onto my sanity. "Enough," I

ve me a chance to regain control. "Of course, let's focus on business. I'm all ears." Hi

me, presenting the financial statements for the last five years. "Our company has been profitable, and with your investm

m I tried to project, I could feel his piercing gaze burn into me. It wasn't admiration or even int

eyes gleamed with calculated intent. "Impressive," he mused, his voice bare

ed. "My father's legacy is at stake here," I replied, my voice unwaverin

Oh, I'm sure you are. But I'm not just intereste

sing figure entered the room. His presence filled the space w

deep and commanding. He turned to my father without a

e rigid than usual. "Good evening, Mr. De

knew who this was. The patriarch of the De La Cruz famil

rcing politeness into my v

le, though he didn't hide the disdain in his gaze when it settled back on me. "Did t

an I expected, leaving

uickly, though I could sense the unease in

ow, clearly unimpressed. "Well, let's get

seemed to close in on me, their arrogance suffoca

ning to my father as though I weren't even in the room. "In exchan

possible, even. My stoma

consider?" I asked, my vo

apped, his gaze hard. "You de

his voice a silky whisper in the hea

, and my father and I

me for one year?" he said, his voice cool and almost casual. "In retur

. What

f disbelief and fury rising in my

sement. "You heard me. One year. Be my w

my father started, but Andre

Cruz interjected, his voice like a w

, my heart breaking.

olve. "Mary, it's your decision. But the comp

t my life protecting his dreams, protecting our family

liation boiling inside me. "Fine," I spat,

slid a contract across the

h stroke of the pen feeling like a

my voice barely above a whisper. "Andrew,"

th that infuriating smirk still

p in my throat. "That night we sha

ng in the room like a death sentenc

e a physical blow. I