From Spy to Wife: The CEO's Pretend Marriage

2: The P

like it stoppe

hanged from surprised to... something colder. The little g

He picked her up and turned her away from me. But he kept

ag tight. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

levator. "I'm Catherine Reed. I work with Gabriel Chen from Nexus Techn

t stared at my face like he was trying to figure me out

xt week," I said, trying to sound calm and professional. "I know I

wanted to disappear. Mia was still staring at me from over her da

nanny. But when she tried to take Mia, the lit

yelled, and then started crying for

and pale. "Mia, stop

aking all over. Before anyone could stop her, she got out of her da

ission training covered this kind of moment. What do you e

he looked really upset

er face in my skirt, sti

should step back, tell Mia I wasn't her mom, and just

as at her level. "My name is Catherine. I'm not

olding my sleeves tight now. "Your h

me, but that doesn't mean they are." I wiped a tear off

ght and serious, "I'm sorry about thi

Don't make her go!" She cried even harder and held

en that look before-people who didn't know what to do. Even with all his

te," I said softly. "She's really

then gave a stiff n

ll holding on to me tightly. His huge office was in the corner, with big windows that showed

nnox told the nanny. She looked

a soft leather couch by the window and sat w

red, looking up at me with big eyes. "

mom's perfume-Shadowbird never crossed that

aid gently. She looked super tired from all t

y?" she asked

dn't make that kind of promise. But it worked-she rested her head

with a stiff, serious look. When Mia finally f

ng here?" he asked, voic

I said, calm and quiet. "I didn't know

xactly like my late wife," he said, eyes

us Technologies," I said, keeping my voice steady and face calm

idence that you smell

m wearing Chanel. A

ught," he said, reaching

y perfectly. "It's the early proposal for the security system upgrad

it fast, like he knew exactly what to look

er I finished my MBA." I gave a small

d as he pulled out h

he agency made sure everything was ready-if he ca

all smile. "His number's on

then a man picked up. They talked for a few minutes. Lennox aske

looked unsure, but not as angry.

at what I

utive assistant seems too small for someone

"Business stuff, helping upset kids... I

he was trying to figure me out. "You

y. "I really didn't mean to up

le softer now. "She's been struggling lately. Always asking about

rned me about. I felt a small twi

or both of you," I said gent

ly remembers my wife. Just bits and pieces. A

a little on the couc

d stop myself. Then I quickly added,

hen at her dad, then back at me. "Can y

looked at her, then at me. I c

he has to go back to work

r," Mia said in that honest

nged. He wasn't just being careful anymore-he

ree for dinner tomorrow night? To talk

little win. "I'd

coming to our house? Can you read me a s

nner," Lennox said,

"I'm pretty good

ck to his serious tone. "Seven sharp. My a

I said, picki

on st

or. Mia stayed with the nanny, who had just come back. Right b

ever you're doing, whatever it is you want from

"I'm not doing anythin

one wants something from me. You showed up looking exactly like my dead wife,

. H

ke – I'll be watching you closely." He leaned in a bit. "And if I find out you're u

, heart beating fast but trying t

eath. First step was done – I was in. But L

He had every