MARRIED BY MISTAKE

efore. Everybody had. The way it caught the afternoon sun and threw light across the city like a challenge made it impossible to m

and in his pocket and the other still gripping his phone, Leon stood stiffly next to he

or numbers. The spot on her wrist where he had grabbed her outside the marr

ed-the touch of a man who never questioned his right to

d floor. "

llway lined with abstract artwork that likely cost more than her c

re turning back to her computer right away. Intelligent woman. Leon pushed open dou

rk. In the middle was a huge desk that was so spotless it

of two leather couches. With his hands in his pockets, a

e emergency?" He looked at Aria. His eyes widened slightly. "This is not Ariana Hale." "Bri

r... I'm sorry, you're what?" "Wife." Leon drained half the glass in one swa

ing. Marcus's expression was halfway between amusement and shock as he glanced between them. Ask her, "How does someone marry the wrong person?" Ask her, Leon's eyes were so piercing that they co

words burst out before Aria could stop them. "I'm her sister. Her younger sister. Who was doing her a favour by delivering docum

shaking hands and held up the text message-the one with n

r a runaway bride." "She didn't run," Leon said. "She sent her

at that stupid office, but someone had to deliver the papers, and as usual, I'm the one who has to clean up eve

"Avoid apologizing. Marcus took a step closer, his face soft. "You are perfectly entitled to feel a

're fixing this. Today." Leon

p an annulment. "What doesn't qualify cannot be ex

ounds for an immediate annulment, no fraud, and no coercion. Then we'll get divorced. "I

oth cooperate. Six months is more realistic. And that's assuming no one contests it

urned on Aria, his eyes blazing. "Her sister disappears a

w you're telling me I'm stuck with her for six months?" "Why would I want to marry you? I don't even

ting married to me is the key to a life that most people can only ima

ored, disregarded, and treated as if she were unimportant for her entire life. She had come

"You can believe anything you want. I am aware of the reality. That's sufficient. "She faced the door. Leon's voice broke like a whip as he as

ame motionless. She could feel the heat radiating from his body because he was so close behind her. "Let me go. She was certain he

onsequences. Rule

resembled broken mirrors with silver flecks. "I'm not following your rules," she declared. "You'll worsen this situation

identify it. Marcus spoke from across the room. "Leon. Let her breathe." Leon didn't move. "Do you

other looked through her instead of at her, her father only noticed her long enough to as

b," Aria declared, though she wasn't sure how long that would last. "I am capable of looking aft

married a stranger and is unsure of what will happen

e. "You will move into my penthouse. While my attorneys work to put an end to this

and done, you'll have enough money to begin any

ts money." "Not everyone is Vanessa." Th

d to claim half of his company as part of the settlement. Leon's expression froze. Aria raised her chin and asked, "What did you say?" I said I

e observation was too accurate, too sharp. After less than an hour of getting to know her, how did he notice that? "My life is none of your busines

writing. "Rule one: Separate bedrooms. We may be married on paper, but this is purely transactional." Aria's stomach twisted. Transact

to be any confusion

n." Her legs felt unsteady, so Ar

en required. Smile. Play the role of devoted

ked. "Because I'm currently closing the biggest deal of my professional life. My investors must think I'm married,

nts, you created an obligation that you are expected to fulfil. "You are jus

ana Hale. "Maybe if you'd listened when I tried to explain-" "Maybe if yo

three separate times!" "A

was torn between amusement and worry as he observed them like he was watching a tennis match.

"Leon ruined his flawlessly styled hair by running a hand through it. "All

ouples live together. If we don't, it looks suspicious. And if my investors get suspicious-" Your deal t

tems to be relocated tomorrow. "You can't just tell me what to do!" "When you

eal. We'll both leave as if nothing had happened when the six months are up. "And if I refuse?" Leon asked with a

You'll be remembered for the rest of your life as the girl who tricked Leon

for her. You can't fight him. No resources to match his wealth, power, a

said fine. I'll move in. I'll follow your

ed his hand. "Then, we have an agreement. "Aria gazed at his exten

option did she have? Warm, consequential, and utterly certain, his fingers closed around hers. "Welcome