LOGINFor twelve years, Sophia Banner has worked tirelessly to keep her family's farm from foreclosure. Every payment is a small victory, until her sister, Daphne drains the money for a modeling opportunity that turns out to be a scam. Daphne isn't sorry. The bank doesn't care. And Sophia is out of time. Her solution arrives in tailored suits and effortless charm. Andrew Ashford—her witty, rich-as-hell employer, the man she delivers groceries to weekly. And… the man her sister, Daphne has been infatuated with for years. He's also the man whose eight-year-old nephew she tutors. When a medical diagnosis rattles Andrew's carefully managed life and sets his volatile family on edge, he decides appearances need fixing. What he needs is a fiancée. What he offers is one million dollars for one year. The money would save Sophia's farm outright. And the image of a diamond on her finger, of Daphne forced to watch—sharpens the temptation to a dangerous edge. Sophia agrees. She steps into Andrew's world of obscene wealth, jealous socialites, and an overbearing chaotic family that treats appearances like currency. Fake kisses are expected. Convincing smiles are mandatory. The problem is, Andrew plays his role too well—and the reasons behind this engagement begin to feel far from innocent. Because Andrew Ashford didn't choose Sophia at random. One year. One million dollars. And a lie that's starting to feel dangerously real.
View MoreCHAPTER 26: “Looks Like We’re Doing A Pool Scene, Baby”SophiaThe bathroom was a humid sanctuary, thick with the scent of bath bombs.I sat on the edge of Summer’s tub, sleeves rolled to my elbows, warm water sloshing gently every time she poked at the mountain of bubbles.Vanilla cupcake foam clung to her chin like a tiny beard, she giggled, blowing a handful into the air so it floated down like sweet-smelling snow.My phone rested on the vanity, speaker on, Daphne’s voice spilling out like a spoiled toddler mid-meltdown.My phone sat on the marble vanity, the speakerphone amplifying her voice until it bounced off the subway tiles like a jagged razor.I was currently knee-deep in suds, scrubbing a giggling Summer, trying to maintain my sanity while my sister treated a phone call like an audition for a daytime soap opera.“.... I'm telling you, Sophie, it's a hostage situation!” Daphne wailed.“I can't even film a simple TikTok tutorial without Ulysses lumbering into the frame like a
CHAPTER 25: Birthday From Hell Delilah The Rusty Anchor smelled like spilled beer, fryer grease, and the faint citrus bite of whatever Lisa had used to wipe down the bar five minutes ago.Neon signs buzzed overhead—red "OPEN” flickering like it was having an identity crisis.Pool balls cracked in the back, cues scraping felt, someone yelling “eight ball, corner pocket!” and missing by a mile.The jukebox was stuck on a loop of old-school country that half the patrons were too drunk to notice.Phones pinged, glasses clinked, laughter rolled in waves.Jimmy stood behind the bar like a zen bartender monk, measuring pours with surgical calm while Hunt flirted with a group of regulars and Lisa restocked the speed rail, bottles clinking like impatient wind chimes.I perched on my favorite stool at the end of the bar chatting with Tony.He was sweet, harmless, the kind of guy who brought flowers instead of expecting them.“... I've done this countless times before but never in a bar but it
CHAPTER 24: A Telenovela Twist And A One-Way Trip To KazakhstanSophiaThe atmosphere in the study was thick enough to choke a horse.It smelled of Sharon’s soft baby smelling perfume and the lingering, metallic scent of the sudden heavy rain that had started to pelt the windows.Outside, the sky was the color of a fresh bruise, but inside, the storm was much more personal.I sat with my arms crossed tightly over my chest, my eyes darting between Sharon and Andrew like I was watching a high-stakes tennis match where the ball was made of C4.They were currently locked in a verbal wrestling match over Cyrus’s upcoming wedding—a Portland gala that sounded about as fun as a root canal without anesthesia.Sharon paced in front of the fireplace like a prosecutor building a case.“You have to go,” she said for the third time. “Cyrus's wedding is the perfect opportunity.”Andrew tilted his head, voice lazy. “Perfect for what? Spend four hours watching Cyrus pretend he knows how to love anoth
CHAPTER 23: A Spittle On The SidewalkSophia The interior of Miss Aria’s cottage was a masterclass in cozy clutter.The air was a thick, comforting blend of lavender sachets, mismatched throw pillows, paperback glue, stacks of knitting magazines, yarn in every color imaginable spilling out of baskets and the faint, sweet smell of Vanilla.It was a space that didn't just welcome you, it hugged you until your ribs cracked.Miss Aria was ensconced in her throat—a high-backed rocking chair that rhythmically creaked against the hardwood like a ticking clock.At seventy, she was as sharp as the knitting needles currently clicking away at a bright blush-pink sweater.Her glasses were perched on the edge of her delicate nose, making her look like a particularly scholarly owl.I stepped onto the porch and gave a quick knock.“Sophia, dear, come in before you catch a draft,” Aria called out, and I entered.“There’s my girl,” She set the needles aside and opened her arms.I crossed the room and






Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.