Chapter 2

Christopher POV

“I’m not marrying her,” I said. “Not Rebecca. Not now. Not ever.”

He slammed his palm on the table. “You will marry her!”

“Make me,” I dared him.

“You think this is about you? You think you get to choose? That girl’s father has saved this family’s company more times than you can count!”

“And that is supposed to make me her reward?” I shot back. “What am I, a thank-you package?”

His face turned red. “Watch your mouth, Christopher!”

“No!” I barked. “You have controlled every damn thing I do — what school I went to, what job I took, how I live, and the reason I lost Joanne. I’ve had enough of it, and you won’t decide who I marry.”

“Christopher!” My father’s hand was already raised. For a moment, I thought he would hit me. Instead, he pointed sharply at me. “You have no right to talk to me that way.”

“I have every right,” I said, stepping closer. “You want me married to Rebecca because it makes you look good because it fixes your stupid image. You don’t care if I hate her or why I don’t want to get married to her.”

My father sighed as he looked at me, shaking his head as he crashed into his chair, as if knowing arguing with me would be futile.

“I won’t force you to marry Rebecca, but I won’t hand over my company to a man who knows nothing about responsibility. The only way you can take over from me is by getting married and that is final.”

I smirked, looking him square in the eyes. I sure wasn’t one to be given an ultimatum.

“Give me a month. I’ll bring a wife home,” I said confidently.

My father looked at me in shock; I knew he hadn’t expected that part. “Don’t be silly, boy.”

“Just a month,” I repeated.

“And if you don’t?”

I shrugged. “Then you can have your way. I’ll marry Rebecca.”

His eyes narrowed. “One month.”

I nodded.

“Deal,” he said with a wide grin.

I nodded again as I made an excuse and left his office confidently, as if I had a plan cooked up.

The moment I left the office, I felt like the biggest fool.

“What the hell did I just do?” I muttered under my breath.

A month. A wife. I couldn’t even remember the last time I dated — not after what Rebecca did to me. She was the reason Joanne left me, because of that stupid stunt she pulled about being pregnant for me.

“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. This was sure going to be harder than I thought.

I slid into the car, slamming the door hard as if that would drive away my anger.

I loosened my tie and stared out the window.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. It was Lewis, my secretary. I picked it up.

Sir, the investor has agreed to invest,” my secretary announced almost immediately as I answered his call.

There was a short pause before Lewis cleared his throat again, and I knew what that meant. “But there is a small problem I think you should be aware of, sir.”

I checked the time, sighing. “This better be worth the interruption.”

“It is. Sterling Holdings is on the verge of collapse. Numbers are down, board members are threatening to pull out, and the woman leading the project hasn’t been seen in three days.”

My brows furrowed. “Three days?”

“Yes, sir. No calls, no emails, no sign of her at the office. Up until this week, she was flawless. Then suddenly… nothing.”

“Schedule a visit,” I ordered. “If she’s not capable of handling a simple project, I’ll deal with it myself.” I raked my hand through my hair.

“Yes, sir,” he said. Then I cut the call.

As soon as I ended the call, I heard a bang — a car had just scratched mine.

“What the hell?” I snapped.

“Someone bumped into us, sir,” the driver said, glancing at the rearview mirror. “And it looks like the person is trying to get away.”

I strained my neck to see, and I spotted a small silver car speeding off.

My patience was already paper-thin, and now some coward wanted to play hit-and-run? Well, he messed with the wrong guy. I needed somewhere to dump this anger, so this was more like an opportunity.

“Follow the car,” I ordered.

“Sir?”

“Now.”

My driver moved at full speed. The silver car ahead swerved desperately, trying to lose us. Too bad. When I wanted someone, I always got them.

“Cut them off,” I said, leaning forward.

With a sharp turn, our car blocked the silver car. Before the driver even stopped fully, I was out.

“Get out!” I barked, hitting the car.

“You hit my vehicle and tried to run. Now get your ass out of that car!”

The door opened slowly.

And then everything stopped.

The person who stepped out was nothing like what I expected — messy hair, lips trembling as she wiped at tear-stained cheeks. And those eyes… wide, startled, and vulnerable.

I looked at her in awe.

She wasn’t wearing anything extravagant, just a simple dress clinging to her curves — but damn, she was sexy. Something about her made every sane thought disappear.

“Are you—” I stuttered, barely able to get a word out of my mouth.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t watching.”

I stepped closer, invading her space. I should’ve been furious. But God, the way her pink, poised lips moved — I couldn’t help but imagine how nice it would be to kiss them. Her face alone made my heart react in a way I couldn’t explain.

I never believed in love at first sight. But right then, staring at this stranger who had crashed into my day, I thought otherwise. Maybe she could be the wife I wanted.

“Marry me.” That was the only thing I could blurt out.