A RUTHLESS PROPOSAL

Lily saw Liam, her breath got stuck in her neck. The morning sunlight flowed through the huge windows, but all she felt was cold. His words echoed in his ears so harsh, unforgiven, ​​and final.

"You have pulled my name in this dirt. And now you are going to fix it."

Her fingers trembled around the crumpled newspaper. "Fix it? How?"

Liam stepped even closer, above him. his fragrance -mahing colon and cold steel - influenced her senses, causing her dizziness. His silver-gray eyes were rigid, unmatched.

"By marrying me."

The room seemed to be inclined.

Lily stumbled back. "Marry you?" Her voice exploded with mistrust. "You can't be serious."

His lips became curved, but there was no heat in his smile. "Deadly serious."

"But I - I don't even know you!"

"You know a lot." Liam's gaze was swept over to her, cool and calculated. "You know my name, my wealth, and now you are putting the scam in danger that I have created. The media believes that you are my lover. The world expects a marriage. and Will give them one. "

Lily nodded her head. "No. This is crazy. I have not planned any of it - I will never do -"

"Do you think I care about your innocence?" Liam bites, cut his tone through his words. "My reputation is at stake. My company's future." you will loose everything. Your family name, your sister's health, your mother's job. The media will separate you. The sponsors will sue for defamation. You will be ruined. "

Lily's knees became weak.

Emily.

Her mind raced back to her sister’s fragile smile, to the hospital visits, to the nights spent working extra shifts to help cover medical bills. If this scandal destroyed her, it would destroy her family, too. Emily wouldn’t survive that kind of stress.

"You wouldn’t," Lily whispered. "You wouldn’t let that happen."

"Wouldn’t I?" Liam’s gaze darkened. "You’ve known me for five minutes. Don’t assume you know what I’m capable of."

Tears welled in Lily’s eyes. "But a marriage? That’s insane."

"It’s just a contract," Liam said coldly. "Six months. We play the perfect couple, the media forgets, my company stabilizes, and your family walks away untouched. After that, we divorce, and you disappear from my life."

Lily’s breath hitched.

A contract marriage.

Cold. Calculated. Loveless.

Her pulse hammered in her ears. Six months of living with this man—this ruthless billionaire who looked at her like she was nothing but a problem to solve. But if she refused…

Emily’s face flashed in her mind again. Pale. Fragile. Her life hanging by a thread.

"Why me?" Lily’s voice was barely above a whisper. "You could have chosen anyone. Why force me?"

Liam’s expression flickered. For a second—just a second—something soft flashed in his eyes. Regret? Pain? But it vanished just as quickly.

"Because the world already believes the lie," he said flatly. "And I don’t have time to replace you."

Lily looked down at the newspaper again. Her face, plastered beside his. The headlines screamed scandal. She could already imagine the reporters at her mother’s door, the questions, the shame.

Her heart twisted.

This wasn’t just about her. It was about Emily. About saving her family from a nightmare they didn’t deserve.

Her eyes lifted to Liam’s cold, unforgiving gaze.

"And if I say no?"

Liam leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Then your family falls with you."

The words punched the air from her lungs.

Silence stretched between them.

Lily closed her eyes. She could almost hear Emily’s voice in her mind. "You’re always protecting me, Lily. You always do what’s best."

When she opened her eyes, there was no more hesitation. Only steel.

"Fine," she whispered. "I’ll do it."

Liam’s expression remained unreadable. "Smart choice."

"But on one condition," Lily added, lifting her chin. "You help Emily. If I’m going to ruin my life for this, you’ll make sure my sister gets the best medical care. No stress. No hospital debts. You keep her safe."

For the first time, something flickered in Liam’s eyes. Approval? Respect?

"You have my word."

Lily stared at the hand Liam extended toward her. Strong. Steady. Dangerous.

This was the hand that held her future.

Her fingers hovered in the air, trembling.

The moment she took it, her freedom would be gone. Her life would no longer be her own.

But Emily’s life depended on this.

With a deep breath, Lily placed her hand in his.

The moment their skin touched, Liam’s fingers tightened around hers—a grip that felt more like a chain.

"Congratulations," Liam said, his voice smooth and cold. "You’re now the future Mrs. Montgomery."

Before Lily could respond, the door burst open.

A man stood there—tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and eyes blazing with fury.

"Cancel everything, Liam," the man growled, his gaze flickering to Lily. "You can’t marry her."

Lily’s heart stopped.

Liam’s grip tightened. His silver gaze turned glacial.

"Why not?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.

The man’s eyes darkened.

"Because she’s already engaged."

Lily gasped, her head whipping toward the stranger.

"What?"

Liam’s expression froze. The air thickened with tension.

"To who?" Liam’s voice dropped, deadly calm.

The man looked at Lily, his gaze cold and accusing.

"To me."

The room spun.

Lily staggered back, pulling her hand from Liam’s.

"No… this can’t be—"

But Liam was already turning toward her, his gaze narrowing, his expression unreadable.

"Care to explain, fiancée?"

The accusation in his tone hit harder than any headline.

Lily’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Her world had just turned upside down again.

And this time, there was no easy escape.