Chapter 1

Fiona's POV:

I sit on the bed in my room, waiting for my husband, Rowan Carson, to arrive.

Two nights have passed since Rowan left our home. His words echo in my mind: "Fiona, I'm going to welcome my friend, so I might not be home early. You should take care of the house."

I grip my phone tightly as I dial his number once more.

"Why isn't Rowan answering?" I mutter, anger surging through my veins.

My eyes sting with unshed tears as the flat-screen television in my room interrupts my thoughts.

"Breaking News! Billionaire CEO Rowan Carson was spotted in a luxury five-star hotel last night with the love of his life, Sage Andrews. Rumors confirm that Rowan kept his commitment to wait for Sage, his true love since high school."

My jaw drops in shock. My phone slips from my hand as I reread the news.

"Rowan's true love is back?" I whisper in utter disbelief.

"Is this why he ignored my call?" I sob, hearing my phone ring on the floor.

I bend down, pick it up, and hope to see Rowan's name on the screen. Instead, it shows a call from my best friend, Mary Silas.

I wipe my tears with my left hand, slide to answer, and press the phone to my ear.

"What's up, Mary?" I say, glancing at the clock: 8 p.m.

"Fiona, did you see the news?" Mary asks, her voice urgent.

"Yes, I'm watching it now. Rowan's true love is back. Our marriage contract must be over," I say, though I doubt Rowan will end it.

"I told you, Fiona. I warned you not to fall for that man. Men like him are out of your league," Mary says, her voice thick with anger. She never supported my acceptance of Rowan's proposal.

Rowan Carson is my boss; I work for Carson Group, a multi-million-dollar company.

It was two years ago. I remember that day clearly, when Rowan invited me to his office. I served as his personal secretary.

I had known about his affair with Sage Andrews even before she left for a modeling shoot in New York.

Sage rejected marriage to Rowan because Carson Group was still underdeveloped then. She never imagined it would grow to this level.

I was more than Rowan's secretary. As his project expert, I provided market ideas and suggestions to boost profits and elevate Carson Group.

I remember the morning Rowan proposed marriage.

He wore a black suit and sat in his office chair as I served him coffee.

"Fiona," Rowan said after clearing his throat. "I know this may surprise you, but I need your help with something."

The naive 22-year-old me, secretly crushing on my handsome boss, smiled like a woman in love. "What is it, sir? I'm eager to help."

Rowan met my eyes with his shining blue ones. "My grandfather's will requires me to marry before I turn 28 to inherit his wealth."

"Oh," I said. My jaw dropped as I stared at his handsome face.

"What do you want me to do about this, boss?" I asked, unsure of his direction.

"You're aware I'm in love with Sage Andrews. I want to marry her, but I'll turn 28 next weekend. Sage left for modeling work that pays ten million dollars, and she can't delay for the wedding."

"Sir, I don't understand. Sage could have registered the marriage before leaving and helped you. How could she ignore your situation?" I asked, reluctant to leap into marriage with him.

Rowan shut his eyes and lowered his head.

"That's the issue," he said. "The modeling company won't approve her if she's married. They want a single woman to represent them, not a Mrs."

My jaw dropped further as I faced my boss's handsome features.

"So how can I help you, sir?" I asked. My voice quivered.

Rowan swallowed hard, as if the words pained him. He met my gaze. "Fiona, I know you might be in a relationship, but please—we'll sign a marriage agreement for two years. After that, once Sage returns, you can move on. We'll divorce."

My jaw dropped as my eyes widened in shock.

"Mr. Carson, are you asking me to marry you?" I asked my boss. Shock etched my face, and my voice trembled.

"Yes," Rowan replied without shame.

"Just for two years, Fiona. After that, you can move on."

"Sir, aren't you afraid I might develop feelings for you? Will we have sex, or just coexist in one house and pretend we're married? We won't do anything intimate like real couples. We'll live together, then divorce after two years?" I asked, seeking clarity from my boss.

Mr. Carson's jaw clenched. His fist tightened around the file he held as he lowered his head.

He raised it to meet my gaze and smirked, sending my heart racing. "Fiona, how could we avoid sex? We're legally married, so it's inevitable."

"But..." My cheeks flushed.

"If you can't help, I'll find another woman. The agreement will state no love involved. You won't catch feelings for me, and I won't for you. Once signed, you'll fulfill all wife duties except falling in love. Do you agree or not?" Mr. Carson demanded. His voice turned cold, and I lowered my head.

I harbored a secret crush on him, though I'd joined Carson Group less than six months earlier. "Yes," I replied.

"Good. We'll sign the marriage agreement tomorrow morning—Saturday. Be ready by 9 a.m. We'll get the license, and you'll move into my house," Mr. Carson said. Relief washed over him as he checked his wristwatch.

"Okay, sir. I'll prepare," I said. He nodded and dismissed me.

"You can leave."

------

That Saturday morning, my heart raced as I prepared for the marriage registry office. From a humble family, I had kept the marriage hidden from my parents.

I held a business management degree and saw no need to tell them I was marrying my boss.

That morning, I wore a white dress that fell past my knees. To feel like a real bride, I styled my hair in a simple bun with hairpins and applied light makeup.

When I stepped out of my room at 7 a.m., my oldest brother, Sunny, asked, "Fiona, where are you going so early?"

Smiling, I replied, "I'm meeting a business partner with my boss."

Seeing my flushed face, Sunny asked, "So early? Where?"

"Don't worry. I'll tell everyone when I return." I slipped out quickly. As the only daughter with two older brothers, Sunny and Max, I moved fast.

To my surprise, as I left the house, Rowan stood in a black suit by my parents' black gate.

"Sir, you're here," I said. My eyes widened as I rushed to his black Audi sports car.

"Yes. Since we're getting married, shouldn't I inform your family? You'll be moving in with me," Mr. Carson said.

"But it's a fake marriage. I don't think I should tell my parents," I replied, but he shook his head.

"Fiona, for clarity, we can't hide this from your family. They might misunderstand it as just a contract with an expiration date," he reminded me.

"But..." I pursed my lips, knowing my Christian family.

"My father won't accept. Let's register first, then inform them," I said firmly.

Mr. Carson studied my sullen face and agreed. "Fine."

Relieved, I climbed into his car, and he drove us to the marriage registry building.