The Billionaire's Unexpected Contract Wife

a rhythm of worry. The familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafted through the air, masking the sour taste of dread in

lord, his bulky frame blocking the sunlight as h

able to meet his ga

it didn't stop her chest from tightening like a vice. They were three months behind on rent

muttered to herself, wip

n, Regina wa

ccident two years ago, Regina had stepped up to keep the bakery alive, pouring every dollar she had into it.

ve wasn't enough

earing a thousand-dollar suit and sunglas

shifted as he approached the counter, people parting instinctively. His face was cut from sh

his voice deep, smooth, an

. "Yes. Can

behalf of F

stil

International. Ruthless dealmaker. Media darling. A man who built an empire with no a

"but I think you've got

de pocket and placed it gently on t

a simple, elegant letter printed on thick paper. Her ey

Dan

One that will be mutually beneficial. I can offer compensa

on. You'll find a car waiting outside. If you c

nk Co

unned. "Is this s

- shook his head. "The offer is

nts to mee

ain everyth

ank account... and the look in Ava's eyes when she aske

er apron and t

y. "But I'm not agreeing to anyt

and plush leather seats. Eliot opened the door for her, and she

they pulled into a private driveway guarded by men in suits. The mansion that await

floors, minimalist décor, and silen

red, his back to her, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

nt, Regina for

ray eyes that held zero warmth. But what struck her most wasn't his power - it

motioning for her to si

ing. "You didn't give

his eyes. "I find people rarely say no to money.

. "Did you bring me

own. "I brought you here

wh

e overdue rent. The missed supplier payments. You need mon

rms. "What do you

, each step delibera

hat followed

she asked,

ublic appearances. Events. A signature

hy

ith a stable personal life. Investors get jumpy when they think their golden

"You want me to pretend t

u five milli

eath c

orry..

, his voice calm. "Half up fr

lightly, her th

college. Give them a fresh start. She could open a secon

a stranger

events together. Smile for cameras. No actual re

rowed. "So I

he corrected.

her mind ree

the desk, folding his arms

ked. "Ex

. You're not chasing fame or social climbing. You're grou

ky breath. "And w

l be honest - you're the first woman I've considered

that overlooked the city skyline. Her hands tr

t did she real

about it?" sh

forty-eight hours. But I sug

back to fac

g offers don't stay o

, Regina signe

er, she became Mr

e. Not for

or su

brutal headlines, and a man who kept his heart under lock and key.

-

al signature line when Frank closed the folder, snapped it shut with a click that echoed louder than it should have in the quiet

mily, Regina," he said smo

. "So... what now? Is there a script I follow? A cr

ette, and appearances. You'll move into the penthouse by the weekend. We'll have

flipped. "

"The fewer people involved, the cleaner

ttered. "Cle

o change who you are, Regina. I chose you because you're

I'll make sure to leave th

twitched - not quite a smile,

r with my legal team. It'll be your fir

re throwing me to

lking past her toward the elevator. "And you

leaving Regina alone in the sleek, intimidating office that now tethered her to

-

thick stack of documents that included a confidentiality agreement, a

every wor

ned interviews or sta

affection at public events are

relationships during the co

k at the bakery apartment that night. Ava was curled up on the couch,

he final page o

na

na

r by ink and

to fake an e

d Mom and

d they understand that she wasn't doing

at Ava and whispere

-

eks la

s cold, gray, and

ide her in a tailored navy suit, every inch the composed businessman. The

. No frien

y a man who looked like he hadn't

is?" the judge ask

ded onc

didn't

e already waiting - tipped off by someone, no doubt. Regina slipped her hand into

ulbs p

Who's the my

surprise

are you p

wn, brushed his lips lightly against her temple, and said

smile she could. "I think I'm going to b

used to it. This

Regina stared at her r

rie

illion

ea what she'd j

most wasn't the cameras or the contr

- that wondered if she'd just made a deal that would