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NO STRINGS, JUST LIES

Chapter 2 TERMS AND CONDITIONS (AND KISSING RIGHTS )

Word Count: 1106 | Released on: 21/05/2025

touching unl

No real

looking at m

" I told him wit

sed and propped against the kitchen isl

somewhe

ive

rtuna

ous setup of my life, and I was already thinking about

ling a handful of bananas onto the ha

mom's genes," Rhyland mu

t charming

table and

've got a full diaper b

spond, his phone r

under his breath, and answered it.

he next room, spe

s fingers and trying not to think about the fac

supposed to

dive headfirst into it with the man who on

minutes later, his fa

em?" I

g down, and she's bringing a personal gift

ious

king up. L

chair. "We're not ready. We haven't even talked about

g a novel. Just act

xpecting

my hand. "You're overthinking it. It's one woman. Sh

e, the elev

d feelin

ed to me. "Y

Let's f

fties bearing a Tiffany-blue gift bag and the sort of poli

she declared, flashin

sure whether to sha

ou and your sweet little boy." She bent down to smile

. "Thank you ever s

e never seen him this excited about an entrepreneur i

saga.

my waist. "We've had our ups a

lian smiled. "You two

h. "Yeah. Like f

ittle too hard. "Sh

rganic baby shampoo, handmade bi

weet," I said,

And Elliott thought I'd ask you both to our foundation ga

ety int

said.

hyland cut in sha

on sent over. And Emery-if you ever need he

half-laugh, ha

I said with a smile

d the elevator, then paused. "Before I go, can I get a quick photo of the thre

houghts were wipe

I told her. "He's

ble. Just o

ed at

nd my waist, and leaned in to whispe

up and turned

imed. "Sa

lips brushed my cheek-w

athed

said, smili

move. Cou

ed too long. His

top now,"

look at me

r doors shu

nudging him. "

perfor

kisse

he ch

gered to

is head. "D

at the ans

rned away, needing space. My heart

idea," I said to h

," he said.

surpris

er. "Only if they

t be

fection are part of the deal. You want me

ne. But I'm w

and opened it. "Make a li

not j

her a

from the drawer an

ching outside o

o real kis

o shirtles

Stop smir

eriously,

ing beds, under

to him. "S

lanced up at me. "

by stabbing you w

led. "Ro

l for you, Rhyland.

h a hint of dishonesty.

lin

ightly. "If I started to li

n't a

I didn't

ed that he u

"This is not real, but h

Chapter End

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NO STRINGS, JUST LIES

Anchor trust Romance

“Emery Caldwell has only two priorities: her two-year-old son, Noah, and staying safe from the demons of her past. Once manipulated by Caleb, her son's charming but dangerous father, Emery rebuilt her life with walls no one could scale. Her job in crisis media management keeps her surrounded by the damage she can contain. But when Rhyland Ward moves into her high-security building, guarded, enigmatic tech mogul with his dark past the walls begin to crack. Sparks fly, but Emery has no intention of letting romance into her fragile world. To secure an investment Rhyland proposes a fake engagement to Emery. As public figures, visibility could be their shield. Together, they perform a life of luxury, intimacy, and stability all for the camera. But behind closed doors, they navigate trauma, trust, and simmering attraction. Emery is terrified of loving, of losing, of needing someone again. That is until Caleb resurfaces with a threat. One photo. One message. And Noah is gone. Rhyland doesn't hesitate. He mobilizes resources, burns bridges, and joins Emery in the hunt. When they recover Noah, it's clear: this isn't over. Caleb isn't working alone. Someone bigger, more connected, is playing a long game and they've marked Emery's family as targets. But the deeper they go into the ruse, the more real it feels. Rhyland becomes Noah's protector. Emery becomes his sanctuary. And the lies they tell the world become the truths they hide from each other. Meanwhile, the threat evolves. A symbol appears. Then a second. Clues point to something beyond Caleb, a shadow network with ties to Rhyland's early business dealings. As enemies close in, secrets unravel. Emery must decide if she can forgive Rhyland's past, even while her own catches up. Rhyland chooses between control and vulnerability because love isn't a tech problem he can solve. It's a risk he has to take. In the end, survival won't be enough. They'll have to choose each other.”