Contract Marriage With That Ruthless CEO

For three years, their life had been a carefully constructed blueprint for happiness. She, a brilliant architect from the renowned R

ly' s company, Riley Innovations, launching its groundbreaking AI project, a project Ethan had been dee

embered the late nights she spent helping him with proposals, the way she introduced him to everyone who mattered in her world,

hattered just

use, his handsome face unusually grim. He didn' t sit down. He just stood by

e need t

d a knot of dread tig

? Is something wron

is expression wasn't sad or regretful, it was distant, almost

"Postpone? Why? Everything is re

by a terrible duty. "It' s Chloe. Her mother... she' s

d sharp. Chloe Miller. Ethan' s ex-girlfriend.

"What are you talking about? Her

e of Chloe," he explained, his tone infuriatingly reasonable. He was spe

your ex-girlfriend a week before our own wedding?" Ava

to tell her it was a crazy idea and he would n

r of filial piety, Ava. It' s about honoring a dying woma

is hand. His words were laced with a chilling cond

' t change anything between us. After a while, once thing

one, a convenient part of his grand design that could be temporarily set aside. The three years she had poured into him, the love she

larity that she was just a pawn in his game, a valuable asset he was willing to put on hold. She looke

am. Her emotions froze into a s

her expression un

. I knew you' d be reasonable. I have to go be wit

t, leaving her standing alone in the roo

ar pull away from the curb. The city lights blurred as a single, hot tear escap

tim. She would not be

s steady as she dialed her brother,

up? Final wed

pped of all emotion. "Liam, the wed

I thought you might call to cancel

ng goes on. The venue, the guests, the launch party. Everything

Ava. You k

a differen

of the line. "What? Ava, are you serious?

ould make a statement. Someone Ethan feared. A name surfaced,

ght. He spoke the name with a mi

s Lucas

A ruthless, enigmatic billionaire who had been trying to

oment of pure, unadulterated despera

," she said. "Tell h