pte

e late afternoon sun casting long shadows between the glass giants. The city buzzed around her-honking taxis,

ite the early spring air. College was finally behind her. Four years of late night

uick glance showed a text from her

t her birth mother, but the one who never let her feel abandoned. Yet, the question lin

ead. The rich scent of coffee and baked goods wrapped around her like a familiar hug. She o

he room shift subtly. Tall, with an easy confidence and sharp eye

Wil

naire tycoon's son-playboy, rebel, the inevitable heir to a

ut to meet the man

f her coffee. She felt a strange mix of curiosity and nerves

When their eyes met, he gave a faint, almost shy smile, n

asked, nodding toward the

aught off guard. "

sleek leather briefcase

lis

were weighing their

to change my life," Kyle said su

brows shot up

rents have a... condition. I have to get married be

rying to process w

bride," Kyle said simpl

el the eyes of every patron in the ca

to ask, her voice ba

ent. "Because you're real. You're not pretending. And

This was no ordinary proposal. And some

proposal from a charming stranger-it was a calculated move by a man bound by family rules and corporate chains. Yet, beneath the shoc

hance at security for her and Rose? Or the tantalizing possibili

ess crack. She's not like the others, he thought. She's real. Unfiltered. Not daz

be the bride who's just an arrangement? The pressure of his family's expectations presse

rmur. Two strangers, linked by a promise that neither fully underst

e cup's warmth between her hands. The café suddenly felt too

now?" she asked, v

We make it official. The lawyers will draw up the contract. We l

The words tasted strange, like stepping

't have to give up your life. Just... be my f

with her thoughts. What did this mean for her? For Rose? C

lly, surprising even

uine this time. "Yo

ed. "I know this is sudden. But... t

connection forming. "Let's

ivious to the unlikely promise b

the comforting scent of home wrapped around her like a warm blanket. R

eart?" Rose asked, wiping

cret pressing on her chest. She walked over and

slowly, "I'm...

ace. "Married? Allison, that's wonderful! Bu

tly what you'd expect. It's kind of an arrangement. Kyle Wilso

echless. After a long pause, she reac

port you. But promise me you'll loo

ars threatening to

vening light, two lives poised on the edge of somethi