35

Nina's POV

Nina's POV

I stumbled into the bar, numb with disbelief, the pain in my chest throbbing like a fresh wound. Jordan’s words still echoed in my head, sharp as a knife: *“I never loved you, Nina. I was just faking it.”* After two years together, he betrayed me with my own stepsister, Alexa. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know who she was. He knew she was my sister—and he still chose her.

I found an empty table near the corner, away from the loudest part of the bar, and slumped into the seat. My heart felt heavy, my mind blank, and tears threatened to spill over. I needed to forget, to numb myself, even just for a few minutes.

“Waiter!” My voice came out rougher than I expected. “Three glasses of your strongest drink.”

The waiter gave me a wary glance but didn’t question me. Soon enough, he placed three tall glasses of amber liquid in front of me. I didn’t waste any time—I gulped down the first glass in one go, feeling the burn as it went down my throat. Good. Maybe it would burn away some of the pain too.

Halfway through the second glass, a dull warmth started spreading through me. But as I reached for the third glass, a hand gripped mine, stopping me in mid-motion.

I looked up, my vision blurred, and saw a man—a tall, well-dressed stranger with intense, deep-set eyes. He looked refined, his features sharp, almost as if he were carved from marble. His gaze held mine, unwavering, yet there was a softness there that I didn’t expect.

“You don’t need to do this,” he said, his voice low and calm. “Sometimes it’s better to let yourself cry.”

I felt a bitter laugh bubble up inside me. *Cry?* He thought that would help? I pulled my hand away, grabbing my glass again. “Who are you to lecture me?” I slurred, narrowing my eyes. “Men are all scum.”

He didn’t flinch at my words, his gaze steady. “Fine. Think of me however you want. But don’t drown yourself in alcohol. It won’t make you forget.”

I shot him a defiant glare. “Why do you care? You don’t even know me.”

He took a seat across from me, his expression thoughtful, almost amused. “Actually, I do know a little about you. I followed you from that office building. Judging by the scene there, I assume that man was... your boyfriend?”

I scoffed, the bitterness thick in my voice. “Husband. Or he was.” I pushed the words out, barely holding back the tears. “I caught him cheating with my own sister.” My throat tightened as I spoke, but his calm gaze urged me to continue. “He served me divorce papers right there in his office. And then he had the nerve to give me money to... disappear from his life.” I swallowed, blinking back tears. “So, yeah. That’s probably why I’m here.”

The stranger’s expression softened, though his eyes glinted with something I couldn’t quite read. “And what will you do now?” he asked, his tone calculated, his gaze piercing. “If drinking yourself senseless won’t make you feel better, then what will?”

I laughed bitterly. “What else is there for someone like me? No college, no career, nothing.” I looked down at the empty glass in my hand, feeling the weight of my own words. “I’m just... a cleaner in a fancy office building, and an assistant cook at a restaurant. That’s all I’ll ever be.”

He leaned back, studying me with an intensity that made me squirm. “I think there’s more to you than that. And I think you know it.”

I blinked, taken aback. “Who are you to say that?”

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Mark Santiago,28 years old. I graduated from Oxford University with a PhD degree and the CEO of Mark’s group of companies, which is the most richest company in this city New York City and over there outside is one of my new ride that I just got this morning. His voice dropped to a smooth, almost teasing tone. “And a man who just got into town looking for... someone interesting.” He nodded toward the glass window beside us, where I saw a Rolls-Royce gleaming under the streetlights. “If you want to make him regret what he did, you might need someone like me.” Did hr just say he's Mark Santiago? Mark is the top richest man in the city.

I felt a jolt of surprise, followed by a spark of curiosity. “Great! Nina, 23 years old, as I said before, no college no degree no PhD I am just a cleaner in this city and also assistant cook.And how do you propose I do that?”

He smiled—a faint, calculating curve of his lips. “Marry me.I'll give you whatever you want ”

Marry him?

My eyes widened, and I felt my heart skip a beat. “Excuse me?” I stammered, trying to keep my composure. “Are you insane? How did you expect me to marry you,just like that? Out of the blues and Marry a stranger who I don't even know? is that how you culture is?”

He chuckled, his expression as calm as ever. “ I introduced myself already. Not in the way you’re thinking. This would be... a contract marriage. You get paid handsomely, and I get a wife to help me fulfill a family obligation. It’s a business deal, Nina. Nothing more, nothing less.Please don't waste my time. I have other things to do.”He sounded so charismatic or rather arrogant but I don't mind there was a stake of money!

I stared at him, his words sinking in slowly. A contract marriage? Could this really be happening? Part of me wanted to laugh, to brush him off as a madman, but another part of me—the part still smarting from Jordan’s betrayal—couldn’t resist the idea. Revenge. This could be my way to show Jordan and Alexa that I didn’t need them.

“Fine,” I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. “ You want to get married? Let’s get married.”

Mark’s smile widened, though it was as cold and calculated as ever. “Good. But remember, this is a contract. Don’t expect any affection from me, and I won’t expect any from you.”

“Believe me,” I replied with a scoff, “love is the last thing I’m interested in right now.”

His gaze hardened slightly, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he added, “There is one small condition. You’ll need to take care of my daughter, Tina.”

I blinked, taken aback. *He has a daughter?* “You were married before?” I asked, feeling a sudden pang of doubt.

Mark’s lips curled into a smirk. “No. Tina’s my dog. She’s been with me since I was five, and I consider her family. She’s my priority, so if you’re in, she’ll be part of the deal.”

I fought the urge to laugh. Only a man like him would treat a dog like his daughter. But I swallowed my laughter, knowing I had my own reasons for agreeing. “Fine. I’ll take care of Tina.”

Mark’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he stood up and offered me his hand. “Then let’s go. City Hall is still open for another hour.”

I took his hand, my heart pounding as I got up. The weight of what I’d just agreed to settled over me, and yet, a strange sense of liberation bubbled beneath it. If nothing else, this was my chance to prove to myself—and to everyone who ever doubted me—that I wasn’t just a doormat.

As we left the bar, Mark’s face remained cold and detached, yet something in his gaze hinted at his own hidden motives. Maybe he needed me just as much as I needed him.

The car’s leather seats were smooth under my fingers, and as we drove off toward City Hall, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, wondering what I’d just gotten myself into.

Getting married To a stranger!