Chapter 1

There was a two-second pause on the other end of the line before Diana Conway's voice came through, laced with impatience. Mingled in the background was the hearty laughter of a man.

She said irritably, "This again. Are you really that desperate to get married? The company's cash flow is about to dry up, so can you stop adding to my problems?"

I stood in the evening breeze, phone in hand, my voice so flat that it carried no ripple at all.

"I'm not adding to your problems. I'm really getting married."

Diana let out a scoff, as if she'd just heard the most ridiculous joke.

"You don't even have a woman around you to flirt with, so who are you marrying? Thin air?"

I was just about to say Arlene Townsend's name when Diana rushed to end the call.

"Enough already. I've got another call coming in. Steven and I only registered our marriage because we lost a game of truth or dare. Don't overthink it."

The busy tone droned in my ear.

I stared at the disconnected screen, my fingertips cold and stiff.

Diana and I had been together for eight years now, and that was still her answer for everything—to not overthink it.

The next day, I walked into the office carrying two boxes of imported wedding favors.

The workspace was buzzing. Steven Riley stood surrounded by a crowd, his face flushed bright red with embarrassment.

"Steven, you're really something! I can't believe you locked down someone as cold as Diana in just three months!"

"You're going to be our big boss from now on. Do look out for us, yeah?"

Steven chuckled, his voice pitched just loud enough to carry across the entire office.

"It's not what you guys think. We just got married because we lost a game. Don't go spreading it around, okay?"

I let out a cold laugh.

He'd already broadcast it to the world on his Instagram, yet he was asking others to keep it quiet?

He spotted the wedding favors in my hand and strode over to me in his sneakers.

"Walter, are these the wedding favors Diana asked you to prepare for us? I really appreciate you going to all the trouble."

I was just going to tell him otherwise, but he snatched the favors right out of my hands. Then, he tore the packaging open and started giving them out to our coworkers.

"Everyone, dig in! These are imported chocolates Diana had specially picked out."

The crowd erupted in thanks, showering Diana with praise for being so romantic and thoughtful.

Right at that moment, Diana stepped out of the elevator. Everyone burst into cheers, shouting, "Thanks for the wedding favors, Diana!"

Steven glanced up at her sheepishly, a hint of bashful charm in his eyes.

Diana froze for a split second, then smiled and said, "I'm glad you all like them."

"Those are my wedding favors."

The moment the words left my mouth, the entire office fell deathly silent.

All eyes locked onto my face at once.

Diana's expression darkened instantly, a flicker of panic bleeding into her eyes.

"Walter, this is an office—not a place for you to cause a scene."

"I'm not causing a scene." I lifted my eyes to meet her gaze. "The wedding favors are from me. I'm getting married next Saturday."

Her face turned as dark as thunder. She marched up to me and hissed through gritted teeth, "Must you force my hand like this?"

Someone nearby let out a mocking laugh. "Walter, we've never even seen you bring a girlfriend around, so who are you marrying? Don't tell me you're just jealous out of your mind because Steven landed Diana?"