Chapter 7

Liliana’s Point of View

I sat across from him, staring straight into the eyes of the man who owned the company I worked for. I couldn’t believe what he was saying— that the two of us were already married.

On the polished desk between us lay two rings. Only now did I notice how stunning they were: one was a large diamond solitaire; the other, a plain band circled by tiny diamonds, clearly expensive. Unbelievable.

“My wife…”

My eyes flew wide. I snapped my gaze to him.

“O‑Oh? I mean— Mr. Asher, don’t call me wife. We are not married. That’s impossible.”

His shoulders fell as though I had struck him, and guilt pricked the edge of my heart. I cleared my throat softly, hoping to ease the tension.

“Do you need water?” he asked at once.

I shook my head. “Please, explain how you can claim I’m your wife. Where is our marriage certificate, hmm?”

He glanced at his right‑hand man, Caleb.

“About the certificate,” Caleb said carefully, “you receive it fourteen days after the ceremony. When we get it, we’ll show you immediately.”

My hand flew to my forehead. “So you’re really not joking.”

I shot to my feet. Mr. Asher exhaled, closed his eyes for a second, then looked up at me.

“Calm down and sit, wife.”

I dropped back onto the chair, rubbing my temples. “Good grief…”

I ransacked my memory, desperate to recall what had happened last night.

“Are you ashamed because you married someone like me?” he asked quietly.

His words startled me. Honestly, any woman lucky enough to be with him would never want for anything; her future would be secure. But that wasn’t the point. We barely knew each other— and he was my boss. This could never work.

“Wife…”

I shot him another warning look.

“I said, don’t call me that. I won’t believe any of this until I see the certificate.”

“And if you see it? Will you accept me as your husband?”

“No.”

The room froze around us.

“Why? Explain.”

“Why should I?” I demanded. “Yes, I’m grateful you rescued me from my disgusting ex‑fiancé. Yes, thank you for taking care of me at the club… but I don’t remember anything after that. I was dead drunk.”

He sighed, leaning back, fingers brushing his lips while his eyes never left me.

“But you took my virginity.”

His confession hit me like cold water. Guilt flooded my chest.

“Like you told me that night,” he went on, “only the man I’d spend my life with was allowed to have it. Yet you took it.”

“W‑What? I lost something, too!” My own voice cracked. Tears pushed at my eyes; I hugged myself, shaking.

I’d meant to give that precious first time to my ex‑fiancé— never to my boss. What a cruel twist of fate. Whoever writes my life story, you’ve outdone yourself.

“Don’t cry.” Suddenly he was beside me, wiping tears I hadn’t noticed had fallen.

“We’re even,” he said softly.

That only made me sob harder. What was done was done; there was no undoing it.

“You can use me, darling.”

I blinked, stunned. “H‑Huh?”

He smiled and nodded slowly. “Use me against your ex‑fiancé. And against your ex‑best friend.”

My breath caught. “Why would you help me? What’s the price?”

He met my gaze. “Let’s just say I’m doing it for my wife. Isn’t it good? I helped you with your ex, and now you’ll get your inheritance through me.”

Reality snapped back. My parents’ last will stated I had to be married for at least one year before I could claim my inheritance. I must have told him that.

So, he wants my inheritance, too. That’s why he married me.

“I won’t take a single cent of your money,” he said, as though reading my mind again.

“You’re weird, you know that? Is this your hobby?”

“Why? Don’t you like my hobby, wife?”

“I said stop calling me that.”

“Fine. I’ll wait until you see our certificate. After that I’ll call you wife, baby, honey, sweetheart— every name I want— for the next fourteen days.”

I glared at him, but his offer echoed in my mind. A person who willingly lets himself be used— and he seemed sincere. Maybe this was my chance.

“Alright,” I breathed. “I accept. I’ll use you. You’re fine with that, right?”

“Not a problem at all, sweetheart.”

So many pet names!

“When I confirm we’re truly married, we draft a contract,” I declared.

His brows lifted. “Why would we need that?”

“When I’m done using you, the game ends. The contract lasts one year— long enough for me to get my inheritance. I’ll give you a percentage as compensation. Understand, Sir?”

Caleb looked horrified, but Mr. Asher lifted a hand to stop him.

“Are you absolutely sure?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Hm. Okay.”

“S‑Sir!” Caleb protested, disbelief plain on his face.

“It’s settled,” Asher said.

I stood and offered my hand. “We’ll meet again in fourteen days.”

“Alright, my wife.” Instead of shaking, he lifted my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. My eyes widened. A jolt of electricity shot through me; I yanked my hand away, cheeks burning.

“I’ll watch over you every day, my wife. Don’t go looking for another man.”

My brow furrowed at that, but he only smiled— then kissed my forehead.

“I—I’ll leave now,” I stammered, and hurried out of the office before he could say anything else.

I couldn’t understand him at all, yet my heart had been racing the entire time we talked, especially whenever he showered me with those endearments.

I’m probably just nervous, I told myself. Never mind!

******

LMCD22