Chapter 2

"How did I not see the warning signs?" I yelled as soon as the elevator closed.

"I gave him three years of devotion, left the comforts of my father's mansion just to stay with him, hoping he'd see me for who I am, but all along he just saw me as a burden!" my vision blurred with unshed tears. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of anger, betrayal, and humiliation boiling inside me.

I don’t know where I’m going, only that I need to escape before I completely break down.

Immediately, the elevator came to a halt and opened up; I took to my heels again. 

Then, suddenly, I slam into someone.

A firm and solid force.

Before I could fall back, I felt large hands catch my arms, steadying me before I could stumble backward. A sharp scent of expensive cologne fills my senses, and when I look up, I find myself staring into cool, unreadable gray eyes.

The man before me was tall and intimidating. His tailored suit hugged perfectly to his powerful frame. His face is a masterpiece of sharp lines and refined elegance, but his expression is boring as if he couldn’t care less that I just crashed into him.

"In a hurry?" His deep voice is smooth but indifferent.

I barely have time to react before another voice makes my blood turn cold.

"Sophia."

I froze.

Fucking Ethan Carter.

I didn't have to turn around to know he was standing there, watching me like I was an inconvenience rather than a woman he once claimed to love.

When I finally do, I see the irritation in his eyes, the way he straightens his disheveled shirt as if my presence is something he needs to shake off.

"Sophia, let’s talk... "

"No," I cut him off, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I have nothing to say to you."

I clench my fists, my mind racing. The image of seeing him with her still burns through me, but more than that, I refuse to let him see me as weak.

And then, a reckless thought takes over me, one I wouldn't normally harbor in my sane moments.

Before I can stop myself, I spin back to the stranger, the man who’s still watching me with mild curiosity, and vomits the most insane thing I’ve ever said in my life.

"Marry me." hurriedly, I searched through the gift bag in my arm, pulling out the ring box and flipping it open.

A gasp echoes through the lobby. A couple of employees had stopped in their tracks, whispering.

The stranger tilts his head slightly scanning the ring in my hand, but his face remains unreadable.

Ethan lets out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You’re joking, right? You think a man like my boss would even look at a low-life bitch like you, let alone marry you?" His voice drips with disdain. "You’re embarrassing yourself and worst of all, me."

Pain lances through me, but I refuse to let it show. I keep my head high, even as my heart hammers.

Then, the unexpected happens.

"I do."

Silence.

Ethan stiffens beside me, his face draining of color.

"Wait what? Boss, you can't be serious." Ethan said half expecting the man to laugh with him. 

I blink, barely processing what I just heard. Did he just agree?

Before I can even react, the man scoops me up into his arms bridal style, lifting me effortlessly as if I weigh nothing.

Gasps rippled through the lobby.

"Where to, my dear fiancee?" His tone is amused, but his grip is steady, possessive.

Still stunned, I force out, "Lancaster Hotel. VIP suite."

His lips twitch in what might be amusement. "Perfect."

And just like that, he strides out of Reid Industries, carrying me in his arms... leaving Ethan standing there, speechless and humiliated.

The moment the suite door closes behind us, I collapse onto the plush sofa, my hands shaking as reality crashes over me.

What the hell did I just do?

Across the room, my husband, or whatever his status is now, leans against the bar, watching me with sharp gray eyes.

"So do you always propose to strangers?" he asks, his voice laced with dry amusement.

I snap my head up. "I..." I hesitated, struggling for an answer. "I was desperate."

He hums. "I could tell."

Tears burn the back of my eyes, but I blink them away. "You don’t even know me. Why would you agree?"

"Because, as it turns out I’m in need of a wife," he replies smoothly, like we’re discussing a business deal rather than a marriage.

I frown. "For what?"

"Personal reasons." He takes a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "And you... you needed to prove a point to that bastard boyfriend of yours. So all I see is a win-win situation, don’t you think?"

I bite my lip, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Ex-boyfriend... This is insane."

His gaze sharpens. "You’re just realizing that now?"

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. He’s right. I proposed to a total stranger... How much more insane can this get?

"By the way," he adds casually, "I never introduced myself, did I?"

I shook my head.

He steps closer, extending a hand. "Alexander Reid."

My breath catches.

The name slams into me like a freight train.

Alexander... Reid.

The Alexander Reid?!

The Faceless billionaire CEO. The man who owns one of the most powerful conglomerates in the country. The man my father once tried to arrange a meeting with, but he never showed up. 

Oh... My... God.

He notices the change in my expression, and something flickers in his eyes. "Judging by that look, I’m guessing you’ve heard of me."

I stare at him, speechless.

I was already in deep trouble. Now I’m drowning.

After a long silence, Alexander leans against the bar again, crossing his arms.

"Since we’re already engaged, let’s make it official," he says smoothly.

I blink. "What?"

"A contract marriage," he clarifies. "One year. You’ll be Mrs. Reid in public, and in return, you’ll get whatever you need to settle things with your ex."

I stare at him. "Why the hell would you need a fake wife?"

He smirks. "I have my reasons and you don't need to know."

I hesitate, my mind spinning. 

One year with this man? A man I barely know?

But then I think of Ethan... the betrayal, the shame.

I lift my chin. "Fine. One year."

Alexander extends his hand. "Deal?"

I take a deep breath, then shake it.

"Deal.”