Chapter 005: The RULES

I had always believed that if I was going to make a terrible decision, I should at least make it look expensive.

Which was exactly why William Carrington was sitting across from me in a private room at one of my father’s favorite restaurants while I explained the terms of our very questionable marriage.

He looked at the papers in front of him.

Then at me.

Then back at the papers.

“You actually wrote rules.”

“Of course.”

“You made a list.”

“I make lists for everything.”

“You’re planning a thirty-day marriage like it’s a business meeting.”

“It is a business meeting.”

William leaned back in his chair.

“You’re insane.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“I’m sure.”

I smiled. He was already getting on my nerves. Which, strangely enough, made me like him. I pushed the papers toward him.

“Rule number one. No falling in love.”

William stared at me for a second.

Then he laughed.

“What?”

“You’re worried about me falling in love with you?”

“I’m worried about everyone falling in love with me. It happens.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It is.”

He shook his head.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Safe from what?”

“From me falling in love with you.”

I gasped dramatically.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m saying you’re not my type.”

I leaned back.

“Everyone’s type is me.”

“That confidence is almost impressive.”

“Almost?”

“Don’t push it.”

I smiled and moved to the next rule.

“No unnecessary touching.”

William raised an eyebrow.

“What exactly qualifies as unnecessary?”

“Anything we don’t need to do.”

“That clears everything up.”

“Holding hands in public if necessary. Hugging if necessary. Kissing if necessary.”

He stopped me.

“Kissing?”

I shrugged.

“We’re supposed to be married.”

“You seem very prepared for that one.”

“I’m prepared for everything.”

“I’m starting to understand why Miles ran.”

The smile disappeared from my face.

William noticed immediately.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

I looked down at the papers. That name still had a way of getting under my skin. Miles Three years of my life. Three years of believing that the man I loved actually loved me. Three years of ignoring every warning because I thought I knew him better than everyone else.

Apparently, I didn't know him at all.

I pushed the thought away.

“Next rule.”

William didn't argue.

“No interfering in each other’s personal lives.”

“Agreed.”

“No asking unnecessary questions.”

“Define unnecessary.” He asked.

“Anything I don't want to answer.”

“That sounds convenient.”

“It is.”

He smiled.

I pointed at him.

“Don't get too comfortable.”

“I’m sitting in a chair.”

“You know what I mean.”

He nodded.

“Fine.”

I continued.

“You don't embarrass me publicly.”

He looked offended.

“You mean I can't tell people my wife threatened me with a contract?”

“You can.”

“Really?”

“Nobody will believe you.”

He laughed again. I hated how easily he did that. It was too comfortable. Too normal. I had met this man less than two days ago, and somehow sitting across from him felt easier than sitting across from most people I'd known my entire life.

Then came the final rule.

“Separate bedrooms.”

“Obviously.”

“If there’s only one room, you sleep on the floor.”

William stared at me. “You’re very romantic.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn't a compliment.”

“I accepted it as one.”

He sighed. “Fine. My turn.”

I crossed my arms.

“Go ahead.”

“Rule one. No lying to me.”

I frowned slightly.

“If we're going to be married, even for thirty days, I need to know what I'm walking into.”

I nodded.

“Fair.”

“Rule two. You don't treat me like hired help just because you're paying me.”

I blinked. “ I’m only compensating you for agreeing to marry me on very short notice.”

“That’s a very rich-person way of saying paying.”

“You're welcome.”

He shook his head.

For a second, neither of us said anything. There was something in the way he looked at me. Not pity. Not fear. Something else. Respect, maybe. And I wasn't sure I liked it.

Before I could say anything, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen. It was an unknown number. I almost ignored it. Then it rang again and this time I answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then a voice I knew too well.

“Hilary.”

My stomach tightened.

I didn't speak.

William watched my face.

“Miles.”

“I need to talk to you, Hilary.”

“I don't think we have anything to talk about.”

“We do.”

“No, we really don't.”

“Please.”

That word almost made me laugh.

Miles Morales begging.

Interesting.

“I made a mistake,” he continued. “A terrible one. But it doesn't mean everything between us was a lie.”

I looked away.

“You cheated on me.”

“I know.”

“With another woman.”

“I know.”

“In our house.”

“I know, Hilary.”

“And you expect me to what? Forget it?”

“No.”

His voice softened.

“I expect you to let me explain.”

I should have hung up.

Instead, I said, “Where?”

“Come to the office.”

“No.”

“Then somewhere private.”

I looked across the table at William.

He was watching me carefully.

“I'll send you the address.”

I ended the call.

William didn't ask who it was.

He didn't need to.

“Miles?”

I nodded.

“And you're going?”

“I don't know.”

“You probably shouldn't.”

“I didn't ask for your opinion.”

“I know.”

That annoyed me.

Mostly because he was right, twenty minutes later, I was sitting across from Miles in a private room at Morales Enterprises.

He looked terrible.

Good.

His suit was still expensive, his watch was still worth more than most people's cars, but his eyes were tired.

He stood when I walked in.

“Hilary.”

“Sit.”

He sat.

I remained standing for a moment before finally taking the chair opposite him.

“You have five minutes.”

He swallowed.

“I love you.”

I almost laughed.

“That's your opening?”

“I know you're angry.”

“Angry doesn't even begin to cover it.”

“I was stupid.”

“Yes.”

“I don't have an excuse.”

“Correct.”

“I don't want to lose you.”

I stared at him.

“You already did.”

He leaned forward.

“What happened between us doesn't have to destroy everything.”

There it was.

The business.

I knew it.

“Our companies are connected now.”

I said nothing.

“Our agreement has already been made public. The merger plans, the joint projects, the future partnership between Morales Enterprises and Banks Unlimited—people are expecting this.”

I folded my arms.

“You're worried about your reputation.”

“No, I'm worried about both of us.”

“Don't.”

“Hey Hilary, listen to me.”

His voice became softer.

“If you walk away from me, you could damage both our companies, everything we’ve built, you know that.”

I hated that he was saying something I had already considered. He knew exactly where to press. My father had spent years teaching me that business was bigger than feelings.

Miles knew it too.

“If we end everything publicly now, investors will panic. The markets will react. Our competitors will take advantage of it.”

He reached across the table.

I pulled my hand away before he could touch it.

His expression fell.

“I don't want to lose you,” he said again.

For a moment, I let my face soften.

Just enough.

“What do you want me to do?”

His eyes immediately brightened.

“Give me another chance.”

I looked down.

Maybe Miles really believed he still had a chance. Maybe he thought I was still the same woman who would forgive him because I loved him. Or that one apology was enough to erase three years.

He had no idea.

I slowly looked back at him.

“Okay.”

He froze.

“Okay?”

“I'll put the past behind us.”

A smile spread across his face.

Relief.

Victory.

He actually thought he'd won.

“I knew you'd understand.”

I smiled back.

Of course I understood. I understood exactly what he was trying to do. And now I knew exactly what I was going to do to him.

Miles reached for my hand again.

This time, I let him take it.

“I'll make this right,” he promised.

“I know.”

“We should get married as soon as possible.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“That fast?”

“I don't want to give anyone a reason to doubt us.”

There was something desperate underneath his words. He was afraid. Afraid I'd change my mind. Afraid he'd lose control again.

That made my smile widen.

“Fine. So what do you suggest?”

Miles stood and came around the table. I watched him carefully. Then he dropped to one knee.

My eyes widened. “Miles…”

He reached into his pocket, and for a moment my heart stopped. I couldn’t help but cuss inwardly as my heart still fluttered like the first time he told me he loved me. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me now.

He opened the box. The same ring. The same radiant diamond ring. The same man, yet somehow, everything felt completely different now.

He looked up at me.

“Marry me, Hilary Morel Banks.”