LOGINELENA POVI had barely left Emma’s office when I found myself thinking about everything we had just discussed. My mind was already running through the things that needed to be arranged before the launch, but I pushed those thoughts aside as I drove back to Moretti Designs.There was still something I needed to finalize before I could leave for the day. By the time I returned to the office, the sun had already begun to disappear, leaving the city outside my windows covered in a soft orange glow. I worked through the last few documents, signed what needed my signature, checked the shipment details one more time, and finally leaned back in my chair with a tired sigh. I reached for my phone, intending to call Adrian and tell him I would be home soon, but before I could, the phone suddenly rang.“Mama…” My hand froze around the phone. It was Adrian. But his voice sounded low. Too low.“Adrian?” I immediately sat upright. “Are you okay?”“I… I don't know.”My heart dropped.“What do you mea
ELENA POVI stood frozen.My back was pressed against the wall as the sound of heels slowly approached from the other side of the door.Click. Click. Click.Each sound seemed to grow louder.“Elena Moretti.” Calista’s voice.My fingers tightened around the glasses resting on my face. For a moment, I didn't move. Maybe it was time. Time to finally face her. I took a slow breath, then nodded to myself.Yes. I turned, letting my hair fall over my shoulder as I faced the door. The moment Calista stepped inside, her eyes searched the room.Her face was confused. Then her gaze landed on me. “Elena Moretti?”I said nothing. Slowly, I reached for my glasses. I took them off.Calista stared. Her lips parted. Her entire body seemed to freeze.“Selena…” The word barely left her mouth.I watched the realization spread across her face.First confusion. Then disbelief.Then fear.“Selena…” she whispered again. “You are Elena Moretti?”Her voice dropped to almost nothing. Horror slowly crossed he
LIAM POVI sat behind my desk, staring at the documents in front of me.For the past thirty minutes, I had been looking at the same page without reading a single word.My mind was somewhere else. Actually, it was with someone else. I leaned back slowly.“Wait…” I frowned at myself. “Did I just say yes?”The memory came rushing back.Liliana standing in front of me in that simple dress, her eyes widening when I told her I accepted. The way she had stared at me as though she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.I’ll be your boyfriend. I covered my mouth, then chuckled. “I must be crazy.”Fake dating. I had actually agreed to fake dating a woman I barely knew.A woman who had walked into my office without an appointment, threatened to hit my receptionist, embarrassed herself in my bathroom, and somehow managed to turn my entire day upside down.And yet, I couldn't bring myself to regret it.I remembered the way she had looked at me when I said yes.“Really?” Her voice had carried so m
ELENA POV I glanced at the clock on my desk and sighed.I had promised Adrian that I would take him out today, and somehow, my work had decided to fight me every step of the way.There were documents scattered across my desk, emails waiting for my approval, and several things concerning the California launch that still needed my attention. I rubbed my forehead before looking at the last file in front of me.“Just one more,” I muttered.I quickly signed the document and pushed it aside. I had barely reached for my phone when it beeped.A message from an unsaved number appeared on the screen.I smirked.It was definitely Kelvin. Who else would it be?I opened the message. ‘Remember our lunch. One hour.’A small chuckle escaped me. He really thought I was excited about this.I typed my response. ‘I’ll meet you there.’I sent it with a smile and dropped the phone into my bag.One hour. That was enough time to finish everything. And I did. By the time I closed the last file, the office w
LILIANA POV“What?”The word came from Liam’s mouth, and I immediately bit my lips. My hand moved to my hair as I suddenly became aware of how crazy I must sound. I had walked into this man's office, barely knew him, and now I was asking him to be my boyfriend. Even I would think I had lost my mind if I were standing in his position.Then he laughed.My face squeezed. Why was he laughing?Was I a joke?Yeah, right. You sound like a joke, my mind answered immediately.I glared at him, but perhaps my expression made him realize that I wasn't joking because his laughter slowly faded. He looked at me again, this time more carefully.“Wait.” He paused. “You're serious?”I nodded.He stared at me for another moment. “You want me to be your boyfriend?”I nodded again before quickly lifting a hand. “Don't misunderstand. I know you're handsome, and you just got your heart broken, and let's not forget the rich part.” I chuckled awkwardly. “But I'm not saying dating, dating. I mean… be my fake b
LILIANA POV Two days.It had been two whole days since I saw that cute guy at the club, and somehow, I was still thinking about him.I sighed as I wiped down the counter and looked at the clock. My shift was finally over. “Too bad,” I muttered, grabbing my bag. “I probably won't see him again.”Then I remembered something.I smiled. Well, maybe I would. I still had his card. I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at it for a second before quickly putting it away.I had no idea why I was smiling like an idiot.“Get yourself together, Liliana.”I finished closing up and headed home on my bicycle.I wasn't exactly the type of woman who dressed to impress. Most days, I wore whatever was comfortable. Tonight was no different. I had on baggy black pants, a loose T-shirt, and a hoodie thrown over it. My hair was tied messily behind my head, and my sneakers were old enough to have their own history.My one-room apartment wasn't exactly a place anyone would call impressive either.It was tin
SELENA'S POV "Do I know you from somewhere?" My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. For one terrifying second, I thought I had been caught, that he had remembered, that he would suddenly recognize the woman who had shared a night with him and disappeared without a word. I forced my face to rema
SELENA'S POV "Let's go." Kelvin didn't wait for my response before turning away, but I didn't bother replying either. Something inside me had already gone quiet, A quietness that comes after the last thread finally snaps. I knew it was over. Completely. The desperate wife of Mr. Hale was gone. I
SELENA'S POV My eyes slowly opened as the warmth of the morning sun brushed against my face. For a moment, I didn't move. My head was heavy, my body sore in places that made memories of last night rush back like a sudden wave, the club, the drinks, the stranger. My heart skipped. Slowly, I turne
SELENA POV I stood frozen. Tears poured down my cheeks, my body shaking violently. I wanted to go there, to tear them apart with my bare hands, to scream until my lungs gave out, but I couldn’t move. My husband… fucking my best friend. My best friend… I could barely breathe. I turned to leave,







