Fake Marriage
She stood there, unsure of how to respond. Part of her wanted to demand more clarity, more emotion, something real from him
she said, her voice bar
unce it soon. I'll have my lawyers draw up th
sitation in his voice, no uncertainty. He treated this like a b
all happening so fast. Are we really
better to make it official quickly. People will talk, but I'll handle
ossible outcome. But Isabelle wasn't sure how she fit into this cold, calculated strate
e firmer now. "What will this look like, day-to-day? I mean, w
nd you'll be introduced as my wife. We'll maintain the appearance of a married couple. Privately..." He paused, his expression hardening slightly. "We'l
un down her spine at the realization of what she was stepping into. This was the
'll think this is real. How do we
gh it was fleeting. "We'll prepare him. When the time comes, we'll explain that thing
past-by shutting off his emotions and building a wall around himself. Was
n pressed down on her. "Fine. But we need to do this in a way
Alex said, his voice softer now. "That's why
the one thing th
he still felt uneasy. "Al
have the papers ready for you to sign by the end of
etending to be in love while the world watched, made h
t just as she reached the do
abe
the doorframe, glancin
st gentle, as if he were offering a small concession. "I may
. It wasn't much, but it was something.
eft the study, her hear
ract ready for her by the end of the week. It was an airtight agreement, detailing everything from the fin
t came with it. Signing her name on that line would mean she was agreeing to live this lie, to become Mrs. Alex Hale
he mansion, just close friends and associates. Isabelle's stomach churned with nerves as she stood
d earlier, trying to boost her spir
nything, but she had nodded, know
elle turned to see Alex standing in the doorway, impeccably dressed in a tailo
though there was no warmth behind the complimen
red, smoothing the
the space between them. "We'll go downstair
best to prepare herself for this moment, but now that it was he
nything but the dozens of eyes that would soon be on them. When they reached the bottom o
you all for coming today," he began, his deep voice steady and confident. "
the air as the guests processed the news. Alex's closest business associates and thei
ng. Alex's grip on her arm tightened sl
a split second before turning back to the crowd. "Isabelle has become a part of our family, and I'm grateful
incere, and yet she knew they were carefully chosen, each
ed through the crowd to greet the guests, she felt the w
lle excused herself for a moment, slipping out onto the terrace for a breath of fresh air.
g gardens, trying to remind herself why she
the quiet, and Isabelle turned to see him st
she shook her head, though her voice
gaze steady. "You're doing the right
e wasn't sure she entirely
sabelle, this arrangement-it's not just for Ethan.
ere was something more behind his words. But just as quickly, he closed himself off
party," Alex said, his to
ebration, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginnin