CHAPTER 4 - HARPER’S POV

The following day, I stayed in bed. Didn't go into the office, didn't move from under my blankets. I just slept until my body physically couldn't produce any more dreams. When I finally dragged myself out of bed and got ready for this ridiculous "husband audition," I planted myself in front of the mirror and really went all out.

Perfect skin. Smoky, dramatic eyes. Bold red lips. My natural hair flowing loose, catching the light and practically glowing like flames. When I angled my head just right, I caught myself thinking, 'Damn. If he saw me looking like this, the man would probably drop to one knee and propose on the spot.'

Then reality hit me like ice water.

No. This was way too easy.

I wasn't trying to win anyone over here. I was here to test him. Evaluate whether he was even worth my time, my secrets, my actual self. And honestly... wouldn't it be entertaining to watch him completely underestimate me?

I grinned at my reflection, grabbed a makeup remover wipe, and systematically destroyed the masterpiece I'd just created. Off came the lipstick, the shimmer, the smoky eyeshadow. On went the prosthetic mole, the oversized glasses, and my reliable disguise wig, the one that made me look like an awkward librarian with zero social skills. I swapped my outfit for something completely shapeless and boring that screamed "please don't look at me."

Perfect.

When I finally emerged from my room, Mom's face looked like I'd just told her I was dropping out of life entirely.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" she groaned, genuinely distressed. "I specifically told you I was arranging for a makeup artist and stylist to come over. You promised you'd let me help you look stunning. Now you look... exactly the same as always."

I flashed her my sweetest, most innocent smile. "Come on, Mom. I wanted to impress you, remember? But you're always saying... true beauty comes from within, right? If this guy actually likes me for who I am, that's amazing. If he doesn't, well, then we know he's only interested in surface-level stuff."

She sighed deeply, mumbling something about me "completely missing the point" while still managing to look like I'd personally offended the entire concept of dating.

The car ride to Veronica's house was silent until we pulled up to the driveway. Right as we arrived, Dad called. Mom answered and handed me my mission.

"Head inside, sweetheart. I need to talk to your father for a minute. I'll be right behind you."

Fine. Let's just get this disaster over with.

A housekeeper led me into the living room. It sat empty... for approximately five seconds. Then I heard footsteps approaching.

And there he was.

The universe apparently had a twisted sense of humor. Standing in the doorway was none other than Mr. Arrogant himself. Mr. I'm-So-Attractive-Everyone-Wants-Me. Mr. I-Would-Pay-a-Billion-Dollars-to-Meet-Scarlet-Rose-But-Also-Insult-Random-Women-To-Their-Face.

Out of every single man in this entire city, my mother had somehow chosen this one.

His expression lit up like I'd just walked in wearing a sign that said "Please Mock Me."

"You? What are you doing here? Who gave you permission to enter?" He moved closer, his voice absolutely dripping with contempt. "I can't believe you actually followed me to my own house. What's your plan here? Try to trap me? Blackmail me? I

already told you yesterday, you're not attractive..."

"Oh my God, you're here!" a voice interrupted from behind him.

His head spun around. And there stood Veronica, his mother, beaming at me like I was her long-lost favorite person in the universe.

"Oh, Harper, sweetheart!" she exclaimed warmly.

His jaw literally dropped. Mine almost did too, but for entirely different reasons.

This was going to be absolutely hilarious.

I stood up and wrapped Veronica in a hug like she was my favorite aunt I hadn't seen in years. I could practically feel Donovan's eyes boring holes into the side of my head. Oh yeah... suffocate on that realization, Mr. High-and-Mighty.

Then my mom came through the door, and she and Veronica immediately started squealing and embracing each other, rocking back and forth like they were reliving their teenage years.

Veronica pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, how wonderful! It looks like you two have already met each other. Perfect! Since you're both already familiar, why don't you head outside for a bit? Have a conversation, get to know each other better, and then come back inside to share the good news with us."

Donovan gave a stiff nod and walked out first. No "after you," no courtesy glance backward. Typical. I followed behind him, crossing my arms.

The moment the door clicked shut behind us, he whirled around, his jaw clenched tight. "You've got to be joking. Marry you? Absolutely not. Not in this lifetime. Do both of us a favor and turn this down right now."

"Right back at you," I fired back instantly.

His eyebrows shot up. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I said deliberately, "that I wouldn't marry you even if you were the last living man on this planet and the only other option was a houseplant."

He let out this harsh, mocking laugh. "Please. Stop with the performance. I'm in love with someone else. Even if you were the last woman standing anywhere on earth, I'd... take a hard pass." His gaze swept over me with pure disdain. "And you honestly believe this..." he gestured vaguely at my outfit, "...would be appealing to me? Don't delude yourself."

I leaned in closer, dropping my voice to something sweet and venomous. "Oh, you poor thing. Too terrified to admit the truth to your mommy? Aren't you a little old to be hiding behind her skirt?"

His face went dark immediately. "Be very careful what you say about my mother. I have zero problem taking this conversation somewhere you won't like. And trust me, you'll be the one regretting it."

I tilted my head, smirking. "And I have zero problem filing assault charges if you try anything."

We stood there glaring at each other, neither one backing down.

"I refuse to marry you," I stated flatly.

"That makes two of us," he snapped. "So when we walk back in there, you tell your mother you're done. I never want to see your face again..."

"Sweetheart!" Veronica's voice rang out cheerfully from the doorway.

We both slapped on fake smiles so quickly it was almost funny.

I walked back inside and slid into the seat beside my mom, who was staring at me with literal stars in her eyes.

"So," Veronica said brightly, looking directly at Donovan, "what do you think, honey?"

He flashed that practiced, golden-boy smile. "Obviously my answer is yes. Harper is exactly what I've been looking for, Mom."

Oh, I understood the game now. Make me look like the bad guy so he came out looking like the dutiful, perfect son? Adorable. Well, two could absolutely play.

Actually, come to think of it, maybe this situation wasn't so terrible after all. He despised me. I despised him. He wouldn't interfere with my life, and I could live mine in total peace while keeping my mom content. Perfect setup. A complete win.

"What do you think, Harper?" my mom asked gently, leaning forward like she was waiting for me to announce I'd won the lottery. Both mothers stared at me expectantly.

I beamed my brightest, sweetest smile. "Of course, yes. I'd be absolutely honored to marry Donovan. I can't wait to become Mrs. Knight, Mom."

Both mothers completely lost it.

"Oh my goodness!" Veronica clapped her hands together. "You're going to have the most stunning wedding. I can already picture everything... white roses everywhere, a massive ten-tier cake, the city's grandest ballroom..."

"And grandbabies," my mom added dreamily. "Beautiful, chubby little babies. Oh, I just know your first child will have Donovan's strong features. Or maybe Harper's gorgeous hair! Wouldn't that be stunning?"

"Twins!" Veronica gasped. "One boy, one girl. We'll be the happiest grandmothers in the entire world!”

They left for the wine counter for a toast.

Donovan walked towards me and whispered in my ear, “You want to marry me? I will make sure you never enjoy every single second of your remaining life spent with me.”

I smiled at him with confidence. “Looking forward to this epic movie, My Husband.”