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Todos os capítulos de The CEO’s Temporary Bride: Capítulo 11 - Capítulo 20

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Chapter 11

Ethan POVAnother declined call.I exhaled slowly, tapping a finger against my desk. Seven times.She wasn’t just ignoring me—she was avoiding me, and instead of irritation I was intrigued.Riley Bennett didn’t strike me as the type to run from anything. She had sat across from me at dinner, bold as ever, challenging every word that left my mouth. And now, suddenly, radio silence?That wasn’t how this worked.I leaned back in my chair, rolling my phone between my fingers. If she thought avoiding me would end things, she was mistaken.I wasn’t chasing her.But I would find out why she was running.David barely glanced up from his laptop. “Let me guess—still no answer?”I didn’t respond.David smirked. “Ah. Ghosted already. That has to be a record, even for you.”I ignored him. “Look into her.”David arched a brow. “You want me to investigate Riley Bennett?”I nodded.He sighed but started typing. “Alright, let’s see what we can find… Business contacts first, then personal.”A few minu

Chapter 12

Riley’s POVOh.Oh.So this was Ethan Reynolds?I didn’t know what I was expecting, but definitely wasn’t this.Harper had described him as an arrogant, overbearing control freak. Some stiff, no-nonsense businessman who probably had a spreadsheet for how his wife should behave.But the man in front of me?Tall. Broad-shouldered. Warm brown eyes that held just a hint of curiosity. And his voice—low, smooth, careful.I swallowed.Wow.This… this wasn’t what I was prepared for.He was supposed to be some nightmare in a designer suit. Instead, he looked like he belonged on a magazine cover for Most Eligible Billionaire Bachelors.My pulse picked up slightly.Harper had met this man and rejected him?I mean, sure, I’d made a fuss about the engagement, but looking at him now, I had to wonder… was it really that bad of a deal?He exhaled lightly, adjusting his cuffs, “I thought it would be better to speak in private” he said smoothly. “Rather than keeping you out here.”I bit the inside of my

Chapter 13

Harper’s POVI let out a slow, tired sigh resting my forehead against the cool surface of the wall."So, a double date? What do you think?"Eric’s words still echoed in my head.At first_ I hadn’t even processed the question, He had flashed me that eager grin, practically bouncing with excitement, eyes gleaming like he had just come up with the perfect plan."Come on, it'll be fun! You and your guy, me and my girl, it’s perfect!"Fun? For who?I had forced a polite laugh, my brain scrambling for an escape route. "I don’t know… he’s usually pretty busy."Which was technically true. But even if he weren’t, I still wouldn’t subject myself to that kind of torture.Eric had pouted like a child who had just been told Santa wasn’t real. "Oh, come on. Just one night? We could go somewhere nice. Have some drinks. It’ll be like a test run before the wedding!"I had nearly choked on my own spit. A test run?Then—by some miracle—BRRRRRR. BRRRRRR.My phone vibrated in my pocket. A work call.Salv

Chapter 14

Harper POVDING.The elevator doors slid open, and standing before me were Ethan Blackwood and David, his assistant.I wanted to throw myself out the nearest window.My brain short-circuited for a second, then rapidly considered my options:Turn on my heel and bolt.Pretend I forgot something and slowly back away.Fake a dramatic faint and hope they step over me.Option three had some merit."Come in," Ethan’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.Oh, come on. Haven’t I suffered enough today?His gaze was impassive but there was something vaguely expectant about it—like he was waiting for me to move.My grip tightened around my phone. “I… beg your pardon?”“It seemed like you were about to... bolt”, His tone was unreadable, but there was the faintest flicker of amusement in his gaze. “Something wrong?”Oh, nothing much, sir. Just experiencing the worst stroke of luck in my entire existence.I quickly schooled my expression. “Not at all, sir. I was just—”BZZT.Then again.And again

Chapter 15

Riley’s POVI sat by the window of Fiorenza, one of those quiet luxury places tucked near the Upper East Side — dim lighting, velvet chairs, the kind of place you booked two weeks in advance unless your last name opened doors.Luckily, mine did.I was early, which almost never happened, but this felt different. I hadn’t even told Harper yet — I wanted to wait until after the dinner. After I confirmed what I already knew:That he was smart. And funny. And weirdly down to earth, despite being Ethan freaking Reynolds.That maybe — just maybe — this whole arranged marriage thing wouldn’t be such a disaster after all.I checked my phone again. No messages. No missed calls.I didn’t even know why I was nervous. We'd only met once. A brief conversation outside my office, a strange spark I hadn’t expected, and then I’d done the unthinkable.I had called him.I had asked to meet.And he’d said yes.I smiled, brushing my fingers over the rim of my wine glass. “Relax” I whispered to myself. “He

Chapter 16

Harper's POVMy phone rang at exactly 11:03 p.m.I was half-asleep, halfway through an episode of a show I couldn’t remember the name of, and fully committed to doing absolutely nothing for the rest of the night. So when I saw Riley’s name flash across my screen, I almost let it go to voicemail.Almost.Because something about Riley calling this late? That felt... ominous.I answered on the third ring. “If this is about another blind date, I swear—”“Harper. It’s a disaster. A full-on, Chanel-burning, trust-fund-cancelling disaster.”I sat up instantly. “What happened? Did your dad find out? Did Ethan—”“Ethan’s not Ethan.”Silence.I blinked. “Come again?”She sounded like she was hyperventilating. “The man I went on a date with? The one I thought was Ethan? That wasn’t Ethan.”“…Huh? You’re not making sense.”“I went to Fiorenza tonight to meet who I thought was Ethan, but when the real one walked in, I didn’t recognize him. Because I’ve never seen him before in my life!”Oh. Oh no.

Chapter 17

Riley’s POVIt’s funny when I think about it…If he cared so much about time, about image, about doing things the proper way—he could’ve just married someone else by now. Had his secretary book a chapel, flown in a model from Paris, called it a day. But he didn’t.Why?I sat at my desk, rearranging papers for the fourth time, and then froze.Oh my God.My jaw dropped, pen clattering to the floor.Could he have fallen in love with Harper?!I pictured the two of them—Harper and Ethan—walking down some high-society aisle. Her in one of those sleek, backless dresses she pretends not to like, him looking like a Bond villain who’s never smiled in his life.Ugh. No. No, no, no.He definitely did not seem like the type to fall in love. Let alone with someone who made him talk about sex over steak tartare. That man didn’t even seem human. The stare? The way he said, “You’re not Riley,” like it was a death sentence?He was probably planning her destruction right now.I grabbed my phone in a pan

Chapter 18

Harper's POVThe restaurant was beautiful.Dim lighting shimmered off gold-accented chandeliers. A live pianist played something elegant and probably French in the corner. Crystal glasses sparkled. Silverware looked like it belonged in a museum. Definitely the kind of place where salads cost more than my monthly grocery bill.I adjusted my jacket, stepping inside. My eyes swept the room—until they landed on a familiar tornado of jewelryAcross the room, I spotted Riley waving wildly at me, her jewelry flashing under the chandeliers."Harper! Over here!" she called.I made my way over, trying not to trip on the fancy carpet."What's the occasion?" I asked, sliding into the booth. "Did you finally land the deal you were working on?"She flinched."Uh, well... not exactly." She shoved a menu into my hands. “I just thought I owed you. Y’know. For everything.”Her voice cracked halfway through the sentence.My eyes narrowed."Thank me? For what? I already paid my dues — remember the last b

Chapter 19

The silence between us was oppressive. Like that moment right before the dentist drills your tooth. Or a movie villain says, "I’ve been expecting you." I stared at my fork. Ethan Reynolds sat across from me, looking exactly like the kind of man who’d build a private bunker for fun. Or file a restraining order because someone breathed too loud. And now, I was stuck here. Again.My phone vibrated against the table. Once. Twice. Then it wouldn't stop.DING. DING. DING.Ethan raised a brow. “You seem to be receiving a lot of messages. Feel free to respond.” His tone was neutral, but I heard it. That subtle, clipped sharpness like he was two seconds from tossing my phone into a vat of lava.“I-I’m fine,” I said, clutching it like a lifeline. Which, ironically, it wasn’t.Another ping. Then another.Drama Queen: Sorry, Harper. Drama Queen: Your CEO said he had to see you again. Just apologize for everything. The makeup’s perfect. HE WON’T recognize you’re his employee!My blood pressur

Chapter 20

“Why me?” I asked, arms crossed and brow twitching. “Out of every woman in Manhattan—why me?”Ethan didn’t even flinch. “Because I’ve seen your acting. Up close.”My mouth fell open. Was that… praise?“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I asked, glaring at him.He blinked once. “Interpret it however you like.”Oh, I was interpreting it all right. I pressed my palms together muttering an internal prayer for patience.“You don’t want to marry me” he said, tone matter-of-fact, “and I don’t want to waste time. So, here’s the deal. Pretend to date me in front of my grandfather, and in return, I’ll pay you.”“I can’t believe you just said that!” I burst out, staring at Ethan like he’d sprouted twenty extra heads. “You want me to... to pretend to be your girlfriend? What, like fake holding hands? Fake kissing? Fake everything?”He didn’t blink, his nonchalant gaze met mine, a hint of a smirk playing on those lips. “Yes, Riley. That’s usually how fake dating works.” Sarcasm dripping with

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