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Ameila POV

“Attention, passengers. Flight 208 is expected to commence boarding shortly. Please proceed to your designated boarding gates when instructed.”

I sat on an empty bench, clutching the wedding invitation so tightly that its edges had begun to bend beneath my fingers. After a while, I opened it again, my attention settling on the names printed across the front.

Aurora Hart weds Sebastian Whitmore.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. My sister's wedding. To my ex-boyfriend. The man she had stolen from me.

I stared at the invitation, wondering how two names printed on a piece of paper could still make me feel so uncomfortable after all this time. I had spent years trying to put that part of my life behind me, yet here I was, holding an invitation to watch them get married.

I closed my eyes, but the memories came back anyway.

I remembered how Sebastian had suddenly ended our relationship, the same man who had once promised me forever. I had been completely blindsided. One moment, we were together, and before I could even make sense of the breakup, he was announcing his feelings for my sister.

I had confronted him, hoping there was some explanation I hadn't heard. Some reason that would make the whole thing less humiliating. But my parents had stepped in, and instead of asking what he had done to me or how I was coping, they had asked me to let him go, to give Sebastian to Aurora.

I could still remember how easily they had said it, as though I was being unreasonable for wanting to keep the man I loved. Nobody seemed concerned about what I had lost. They only wanted me to step aside so Aurora could have what she wanted. That was my breaking point.

I left the city shortly afterward, distancing myself from the people who had made me feel worthless for so long. A few years had passed, and suddenly, they wanted me back in their lives. I couldn't help wondering why. Had they genuinely missed me, or had they simply forgotten how badly they had treated me? Perhaps they wanted another opportunity to remind me that I would always come second to Aurora.

Whatever their reason, I wasn't the same girl who had left.

My best friend, Annie, had suggested that I attend the wedding with a fake fiancé. I had rejected the idea immediately. If I was going to face my family again, I would do it alone, with my head held high.

Unfortunately, Annie was stubborn. She spent days trying to convince me, insisting that I didn't have to walk into that wedding looking like a woman who had lost everything.

After countless arguments, I gave in.

I wasn't seeking love, and I certainly wasn't interested in another relationship. I simply needed someone to stand beside me for three days, someone who would make my family believe I had moved on. That was all. Once the wedding was over, we would go our separate ways.

My phone beeped, interrupting my thoughts. I pulled it out of my handbag and glanced at the screen. Amelia, your fake fiancé is already at the airport.

I immediately raised my head and scanned the airport lobby. My attention moved from one group of passengers to another, but I couldn't identify anyone who looked as though he was waiting for me.

With a sigh, I slipped the invitation back into my handbag and stood up. I took a few steps, surveying the seating area until I spotted a man sitting a short-distance away.

He had his legs crossed, his posture straight and composed. His dark, perfectly tailored suit fitted his broad shoulders, while the crisp white shirt underneath gave him an effortlessly polished appearance. A wristwatch rested against his wrist, and his neatly styled hair complemented the sharp angles of his face.

There was something commanding about him. Even sitting quietly among the busy passengers, he seemed like someone who wasn't accustomed to being overlooked.

I brought out my phone again, checking the description Annie had sent me.

That had to be him. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my handbag and walked towards him.

“Daniel Hayes,” I muttered as I stopped in front of him.

He lifted his head, and our eyes met.

For a second, I forgot what I wanted to say. He was handsome, undeniably so. His dark eyes were striking, his jaw sharply defined, and his expression carried a sternness that made him look rather unapproachable.

I quickly pulled myself together and cleared my throat.

“Thank goodness, I finally found you.” I glanced at my phone, then back at him. “Listen, my family is quite complicated right now, so whatever drama happens, don't get involved. I don't want unnecessary trouble.”

His eyebrows drew together. “I…”

“Before you say anything, let me brief you on what you need to know,” I interrupted.

I reached into my handbag, retrieved the envelope, and held it out to him. He glanced at it before accepting it, his fingers closing around the paper. He studied my face long enough to make me shift uncomfortably.

“Miss, are you really sure you know who you're talking to?” His voice was deep and smooth, but there was an unmistakable firmness beneath it. He spoke without raising his voice, as though he expected people to listen whenever he opened his mouth.

I paused. What was that supposed to mean? I rolled my eyes, already growing impatient. I was sure that Annie had briefed him about the arrangement, so why was he behaving as though he had no idea what I was talking about?

“Aren't you Daniel Hayes?” I asked, my irritation creeping into my voice. He held my eyes for a second before giving a brief nod.

“I am.” His answer came in that same deep, controlled voice.

“Good.” I gestured towards the envelope. “Everything you need to know is in there. I don't want any mistakes when we're around my family.”

He said nothing. Instead, he opened the envelope and began going through its contents. I watched his eyes move across the pages before continuing.

“We're engaged, and I expect you to behave like a devoted fiancé whenever we're around my family. Smile, be attentive to me, and, most importantly, don't make it obvious that we're strangers.” He turned another page without responding.

“I've included a backstory about how we met. When you're telling my family, make it sound romantic. We need them to believe we're genuinely in love.” I paused, watching him as he continued reading.

“Also, no kissing and no unnecessary hugging. You can hold my hand or show a little affection in front of my family, but don't take it too far. Remember, we're only pretending.” I folded my arms. I didn't want him getting the wrong idea about what I was paying him to do.

“As for your payment, I'll transfer twenty-five thousand dollars to you right now. Once the wedding is over and we've completed the arrangement, you'll receive the remaining twenty-five thousand. Are we clear?” He raised his head from the envelope. His attention settled on me, and for a second, I found myself holding my breath beneath its intensity.

His lips parted as though he wanted to say something, but I suddenly remembered something important.

“We need to get going now,” I said, turning away impatiently. I took a few steps, expecting him to follow, but when I glanced behind me, he was still standing beside the bench, adjusting his suit without a hint of urgency.

I frowned. “Come on! We're late.”

He walked towards me at last, stopping a few inches away. I had to tilt my head to see his face properly. He was much taller than I was, and the difference was impossible to ignore.

“Where are we going?” I stared at him.

For a second, I wondered if he was deliberately making this difficult.

“Where else? New York!” I replied, struggling to keep my frustration in check.

He looked down at me, his expression unchanged. “I haven't booked a flight yet.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

I waited for him to explain. Surely, he wasn't telling me he had been sitting there all this time without booking his flight.

“What the hell have you been doing all this while? Sitting here waiting for me? Is that how your organization works?”

I dragged a hand over my forehead. We were already running late, and now I had to deal with this.

“Do I still have to book your flight?” He didn't argue or offer an explanation. He simply watched me, his expression as composed as ever.

I shut my eyes for a second. Getting angry wouldn't make us move any faster, and I didn't have an opportunity to stand there arguing with him. Reaching into my purse, I brought out my bank card and held it towards him.

“Here. Go book a flight. Let's leave.” His attention dropped to the card before returning to my face. He seemed taken aback by my impatience, but eventually, he accepted it.

“Are you serious?” he asked, his deep voice carrying a hint of disbelief.

“Yes!” I gritted out. I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the booking counter. He followed without resistance, and after a short while, we managed to secure our tickets.

Before long, we were aboard the plane and settling into our seats. I released a relieved breath, glad that we had made it. At least one thing had gone according to plan. Just as I was about to switch off my phone, a message from Annie appeared.

Amelia, have you seen him yet? He's been waiting. I narrowed my eyes and quickly typed a reply. I have. We're already on the plane, waiting for departure.

Her response came almost immediately.

Are you sure, girlie? Send me his picture.

I rolled my eyes. What was she so worried about? I turned towards the man sitting beside me and lightly tapped his arm.

“Let's take a picture.” He shifted his attention to me, his eyebrows lifting slightly. For a second, he seemed to consider my request before moving closer without saying anything.

I raised my phone, captured a quick picture of us, and sent it to Annie. Satisfied, I was about to switch off my phone when another message appeared.

I opened it, and the moment I read the words, the smile disappeared from my face.

AMELIA!! THAT'S NOT DANIEL HAYES!