CHAPTER 005

Chase cleared his throat, adjusting his cuffs as if this were any ordinary negotiation.“You need money that badly?” he said coolly. “Fine. I have a proposal.”

Isabella swallowed, nodding slowly. “What is it?”

“A marriage proposal.”

The words landed like a slap.

Her eyes widened. “You have to be joking.”

“I’m not.” His gaze never left her face. “One year. You marry me, play the role convincingly, and when I get what I need, we divorce. Cleanly. I’ll compensate you generously. Anything you want.”

Silence swallowed the room.

For the first time in her life, Isabella was certain she had slept with a dangerous man. Not reckless. Not impulsive but calculated.

She walked away an hour later, the night air cool against her flushed skin. Marry Chase Connor for one year? It sounded absurd—insane even.

Yet the promise of money clung to her like a lifeline.

Enough to pay Santiago.

Enough for her mother’s surgery.

Enough to save Yugo.

She hated herself for considering it but desperation didn’t care about pride.

And then there was Chase.

The man who had touched her like she mattered.

The man who now treated her like a transaction.

The audacity burned.

She needed a second opinion. She needs someone to advise her and set her head straight. 

Gina’s apartment smelled like vanilla candles and freshly popped popcorn, a stark contrast to the mess of clothes and magazines scattered across the couch.

“So let me get this straight,” Gina said, plopping onto the couch with a wine glass in hand. “The guy you had a one-night stand with? Turns out to be your boss. Who, by the way, didn’t even know you existed until last night. And now he’s offering you a deal—marry him for a year in exchange for more money than you’ll ever see in your lifetime?”

Ella groaned, throwing a cushion at her. “You make it sound even crazier than it already is.”

“Because it is crazy,” Gina said with a laugh, catching the cushion. “But, babe, let’s be real. You need the money.”

Ella sighed. “I know.”

“And let’s not forget that you wanted to jump his bones in his office.”

Ella’s cheeks burned. “That’s not the point.”

“Oh, but it is,” Gina teased, wiggling her eyebrows. “You wouldn’t be this conflicted if he wasn’t sinfully hot. Be honest. You felt something when you saw him again, didn’t you?”

Ella hesitated before muttering, “Maybe.”

Gina clapped her hands. “Then it’s settled. Say yes.”

Ella chewed on her lip. “But it’s not just about him. If I do this, I have to pretend to be his wife. Attend events. Be around his family. What if they see through the act? What if they find out that iam fake. What if chase pretends he never knew and leave me to take the fall?”

Gina shrugged. “Then act your ass off, babe. It’s just a year. A small price to pay for saving your brother’s life, your mother too.”

Ella inhaled deeply, nodding. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am,” Gina said smugly. “Now, call Mr. Billionaire and tell him he just got himself a fake wife.”

Ella was halfway home when she pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Chase’s number.

The phone rang twice before his deep voice answered. “Connor.”

She rolled her eyes at his cold tone. “It’s me. Ella.”

Silence.

Then, “Have you made a decision?”

She swallowed hard, staring at the dark street ahead. “Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll marry you.”

There was a pause, as if he was assessing her words, then, “Be at my office first thing in the morning.”

The line went dead.

Ella huffed. The man didn’t even say thank you.

Shoving her phone back into her bag, she crossed the street when the sudden screech of tires made her blood run cold.

A black sedan skidded to a stop beside her, and before she could react, the car door flew open. Hands grabbed her, yanking her inside.

She barely had time to scream before the door slammed shut, sealing her fate.

The air inside the car was suffocating.

Ella’s breath came in short, panicked gasps as she struggled against the grip holding her down. A cold, sharp voice cut through the darkness.

“Stop struggling, sweetheart. You’ll only make this harder for yourself.”

Her heart pounded as she recognized the voice.

Santiago.

She forced herself to sit still, her fists clenched as the man in the passenger seat turned to face her. His smile was slow, calculating. “There’s been a change of plans.”

Ella swallowed the lump in her throat. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve been watching you,” Santiago said, tapping a cigarette against his palm. “And imagine our surprise when we saw you sneaking out of Chase Connor apartment. Not to talk about what you both did last night around the bar.”

Ella felt her stomach drop.

“You didn’t think we’d let that slide, did you?” Santiago leaned closer, his dark eyes gleaming. “You slept with our enemy. One of the most ruthless men we’ve been trying to destroy for decades. That gives us a golden opportunity.”

Ella’s pulse roared in her ears. “What do you want from me?”

Santiago smirked. “You’re going to do what we say. You’re going to get close to him. Gain his trust. Find out everything about his business, his weaknesses—anything we can use to destroy him.”

She shook her head. “I can’t—”

Santiago snapped his fingers, and a phone was shoved in front of her. The screen lit up with a live video feed.

Her brother, Yugo. Bound to a chair, he's bruised and a gun pressed to his temple.

Ella’s breath hitched. “No...”

“Then make the right choice,” Santiago said, his voice turning deadly. “Spy on Chase, everything about his family. Give us what we need. Or watch your brother die.”

Tears stung her eyes as she looked at Yugo’s battered face. She had no choice. Her voice shook as she whispered, “I’ll do it.”

Santiago grinned. “Good girl.”

The car halted and a strong hand pushed Isabella out of the car as she fell to the ground. Her cheeks wet with tears, her entire body trembling. Isabella couldn't sleep throughout the night. She thought she has it figured out already. Now she has to be a spy for the mafias?

The next morning, Ella stood outside Chase Connor’s office, her stomach twisting in knots. She could feel her hands suddenly cold and trembling.

She had barely slept, the weight of her decision crushing her from the inside. But she had to do this. For Yugo. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door. For her mother. For herself.

Chase sat behind his desk, his piercing grey eyes locking onto her the moment she stepped in. “You’re late,” he said, his voice cold.

Ella forced herself to stay composed. “I’m here now.”

Without another word, Chase grabbed a thick folder from his desk and flung it toward her. The papers spilled out slightly, revealing a contract.

“Read it,” he ordered. “Then sign.”

Ella stared at the papers, her heart pounding. She looked at Chase. He's not looking at her.

She was about to sign her life away to a man she barely knew. And betray him in the process. She picked up the pen. To chase, she signed for one thing; His fake wife.

But to Isabella She signed two:- His fake wife and a spy.