ログイン“You’re not supposed to be here,” Mateo said, standing.“I’m not supposed to be a lot of places, and yet.” Desmond’s smile didn’t waver as he crossed the room and extended a hand toward Mia. “Desmond Moore. I’d say it’s a pleasure, but let’s be honest with each other from the start.”Mia shook his hand out of reflex, immediately wishing she hadn’t.“She doesn’t need to hear anything from you,” Mateo said.“Relax. I only came to congratulate the happy couple.” Desmond’s gaze lingered on Mia a beat too long. “Two weeks to a wedding. That’s fast, even for you, Mateo. Almost like you’re hiding something.”“We’re in love, Desmond. Try to contain your excitement.”“Of course you are.” Desmond turned to Mia. “Tell me, Ms. Scott, how exactly did you two meet? I’d love the story for the wedding toast.”Mia’s pulse spiked. “We met through work.”“How romantic.” Desmond’s smile sharpened into something colder. “I do love a good origin story. I’ll be sure to look into it, since I’ll be a guest wh
She walked inside without looking back, shut the door, and let her body sag against it, eyes closed, every muscle heavy with the weight of the day.Then the light clicked on.Kessia was standing in the hallway, arms folded, staring at her with an expression that made Mia’s stomach drop all over again. She hadn’t heard her come in. Which meant she’d been standing there a while, listening to more of that goodnight exchange through the door than Mia would have liked.“So,” Kessia said slowly, “when were you going to tell me you’re getting married?”Mia’s mouth opened and closed twice before anything came out. “I was going to tell you tonight. I just needed a minute first.”“A minute.” Kessia’s arms stayed folded. “You’ve been gone three hours and you come back engaged. Forgive me if I need more than a minute to catch up.”“It’s not what you think.”“Then tell me what it is, because from where I’m standing it sounds like the billionaire you robbed just bought you.”The word landed harder
"I want you to marry me, Mia. Not for real, a paper marriage. I need you to give me a baby within a year, and then we file for divorce and go our separate ways," Mateo said, eyes fixed on hers."We'll sign a contract, just us and a lawyer. To everyone else, it'll look like a real marriage. In return, I'll pay you fifty million dollars. Thirty upfront, twenty when it's over."She couldn't breathe. She pushed the car door open and stepped out.They were parked by the bridge. She walked to the rail and stared at the water, letting the wind hit her face. She needed air. She needed to think.A marriage. A baby contract. Fifty million dollars.It sounded insane, and also, God help her, tempting. One year of her life. One year with a man she didn't love, though she was attracted to him, sure, but was that enough to say yes to sharing a home, a bed, her own body with him?Could she actually give him a child?Mateo came to stand beside her in silence, waiting, not pushing.She stared at the wa
Mateo dropped her off, watching until she was safely inside before he drove away. Mia leaned against the door once it shut behind her, eyes closed, breathing hard.A marriage contract. One year. And with Mateo, who she was starting to find unfairly charming despite everything. It felt too strange to be real."Well, well, welcome back."Kessia was on the couch, arms crossed, clearly delighted to have caught her off guard."Oh, hey. I didn't see you there.""Of course not. You expected me back tomorrow.""It's your place. You can come back whenever you want," Mia said, dropping into a chair."So where are you coming from, dressed like that?""Somewhere.""You're seeing someone?"Mia didn't answer right away."I figured, when the guy dropped you off outside.""Are you tracking my movements now because I live with you?" Mia said, shaking her head."Never said that. It's fine if you don't want to share, I'm not prying.""Sorry.""Okay, then."Mia exhaled. "I stole from this guy at a club."
Mia rang the gate bell after the cab dropped her at the address Mateo had given her. The gate alone was bigger than her entire apartment building."I have an appointment with Mr. Moore," she told the security guard who came to open it."Mia Scott?""Yes.""Come in. That door there is the entrance, he's expecting you," he said, motioning her forward.She nodded and followed the path he pointed out. As soon as she stepped inside, Mateo came down the stairs to meet her."Ah, Mia. You made it," he said. At least he didn't sound angry."Hello," she managed."This way," he said, leading her to a table set for two. "Let's get down to business."She nodded, nervous, and took her seat."I'm Mateo Moore, CEO of Emeralds Group, only son and heir of Chairman Emeralds Moore, who is very eager to finally meet the woman in my life."He explained that his father was expecting them for a simple dinner, that she would be introduced as the woman he was seeing. He gave her a quick rundown of details she
"Next." The attendant stepped out and gestured toward her.It was finally Mia's turn. She smoothed the crease from her bodycon dress, figuring that if her résumé didn't impress the interviewer, she would.She rose from the plush waiting room sofa, leather bag on her shoulder, folder in hand, and walked toward the door with as much confidence as she could fake, heels clicking against marble.The moment she stepped inside, her eyes found the two men in the room, and her stomach dropped. She recognized him instantly."Have a seat," Felix said, gesturing to the chair across from him.She forced herself to breathe normally. Mateo, at least, seemed absorbed in the paperwork in front of him."You're Mia Scott?" Felix read from her folder.She nodded, her eyes flicking toward Mateo, half expecting her name to mean something to him already."Fresh graduate, I see," Felix said."Yes.""Great. But we need to make sure you understand what the role actually involves."She nodded again."As the CEO







