Chapter Two

Moving In

Alexander's Pov

"She's perfect, Alexander. So timid and forgettable. Your grandmother will never suspect this is fake."

Cassandra traced her finger down my chest as she spoke. We were in my office, door locked, an hour after Lily Morgan had left.

"She signed. That's all that matters." I moved away from Cassandra's touch to pour myself a drink.

"Did you see her face when I introduced myself in the elevator? She looked like she might cry." Cassandra laughed. "This is going to be easier than we thought."

I downed the whiskey. "Just keep the embezzlement quiet until the contract ends. Two years, then we're free to do whatever we want."

Cassandra's smile faltered. "Two years is a long time to pretend, darling."

"You'll manage. The alternative is prison for stealing from my company." I set down the glass. "Or did you forget I have the evidence?"

Her eyes flashed with anger before she masked it with sweetness. "Of course not. I'm just saying, living with some pathetic nobody under the same roof might be harder than you think."

"She'll stay out of the way. The penthouse is big enough that I'll barely see her."

"And your grandmother?"

"She's declining fast. Six months, maybe less. Then this ends and Lily Morgan disappears back to whatever hole she crawled out of."

Cassandra moved closer again. "And we can finally be together publicly. No more hiding."

I didn't answer. Something about this whole arrangement sat wrong in my gut, but I ignored it. Feelings were weakness.

"I need to go. Board meeting in twenty minutes." I grabbed my jacket.

"Dinner tonight?"

"Can't. I'm meeting with the wedding planner. Need to make sure Saturday looks convincing."

Cassandra's mouth tightened, but she nodded. "Fine. Tomorrow then."

After she left, I stood at my window looking down at the city. Somewhere down there, Lily Morgan was probably crying about her pathetic life.

Good. Emotional women were easier to control.

My phone buzzed. David Chen.

"We need to talk about Cassandra's numbers. Something's not adding up in the quarterly reports."

"Handle it."

"Alexander, I'm serious. I think she's still—"

"I said handle it, David." I hung up.

David had been suspicious of Cassandra for months, but he didn't understand. I needed her right where she was until I could quietly remove the evidence.

My father's voice echoed in my head. "Never let anyone have power over you. Control everything or lose everything."

I was in control. Of my company. Of Cassandra. Of Lily Morgan.

Everything was going exactly according to plan.

******************

Lily's Pov

Friday evening came too fast.

I stood outside the penthouse building with one small suitcase. Everything I owned fit inside it. The doorman looked at me like I was lost.

"I'm... I'm Lily Morgan. Mr. Hunt is expecting me."

His expression changed instantly. "Of course, Mrs. Hunt. Right this way."

Mrs. Hunt. The name felt like a costume that didn't fit.

The elevator rose to the top floor. The doors opened directly into the penthouse.

I stepped inside and forgot how to breathe.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city. Marble everything. Furniture that probably cost more than my entire apartment building.

"Miss Morgan. Welcome."

An older woman appeared. Kind face, warm smile. She wore a simple uniform.

"I'm Elena, the housekeeper. Let me show you to your room."

She led me down a hallway past several closed doors. At the end, she opened one.

"This is your bedroom. Mr. Hunt's master suite is on the opposite side of the penthouse. You have your own bathroom, closet, and sitting area."

The room was bigger than my entire apartment.

"The closet has been stocked with appropriate clothing for your new position. Mr. Hunt's stylist selected everything." Elena's voice was gentle. "Dinner is at seven when Mr. Hunt is home. He usually isn't. I'm here Monday through Friday, eight to six."

"Thank you," I whispered.

Elena's expression softened. "I've worked for the Hunt family for fifteen years, dear. If you need anything, you can find me. Understand?"

Her kindness made my throat tight. I nodded.

"Good. I'll let you settle in. Mr. Hunt won't be home until late tonight." She paused at the door. "His grandmother is a wonderful woman. You'll meet her tomorrow before the wedding."

After she left, I unpacked my small suitcase into the massive closet already filled with expensive clothes. Designer labels I couldn't pronounce. Shoes that cost more than my monthly rent.

I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out my phone. A text from Sophie.

"How's the new job? Is your boss nice?"

I typed back. "It's different. I miss you already."

"Miss you too! But I'm so proud of you, Lily. You deserve good things."

I stared at those words until they blurred.

A noise made me look up. Alexander stood in my doorway.

"Settling in?" His voice was flat.

"Yes. Thank you."

He looked around the room like he'd never seen it before. "This was my mother's room before she died. Hasn't been used in years."

"I'm sorry. About your mother."

"Don't be. It was twenty years ago." His eyes finally met mine. "Ground rules. Stay out of my way. Don't go into my office or bedroom. Don't ask questions about my schedule. Don't expect me at dinner. We're strangers who happen to live in the same space. Tomorrow we get married, then Sunday you meet my grandmother. After that, you're on your own unless I need you for appearances."

Each word felt like a slap.

"I understand."

"Good." He turned to leave, then stopped. "And Lily? Don't fall in love with me. Women always do, and it's pathetic."

He left before I could respond.

I sat there in his dead mother's room, wearing his ring, about to take his name, and I'd never felt more alone.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number.

"Payment received. Your sister is safe. For now. But debts have a way of coming back, Miss Morgan. Enjoy your new life. -VS"

Vincent had the first installment Alexander's lawyers sent. But his message was clear. This wasn't over.

I walked to the window and looked out at the city lights. Somewhere out there, Sophie was safe and happy, believing I'd found a good job.

That was enough.

It had to be.

Tomorrow I would marry a man who would never love me.

Tonight, I would cry myself to sleep one last time.

Then I would become whoever I needed to be to survive this.

I was good at surviving.

I'd been doing it my whole life.

I closed the curtains and tried to forget that in twelve hours, I would say vows that meant nothing to a man who saw me as less than nothing.

My phone rang. Alexander.

"Tomorrow. Wear something simple. My grandmother likes modest women. And Lily?"

"Yes?"

His voice was as cold as winter. "Don't embarrass me. It's the only thing I'm asking of you.”