THE CEO'S UNEXPECTED BRIDE (SHORT STORY)

d known him for years, and in all that time, she had never seen him so... vulnerable. Despera

to waste. I need a bride," he r

cessed what he was asking. He

ht tremor. "You can't just-marry anyone. Not like this. You're talking about throwing your

wavering. "You've been with me through everything, you know h

her to marry him? Was this a desperate, impulsive idea, or was he playing some game? But no, the way he l

her forehead. "You can't just marry your

not asking you to fall in love with me. I just need someone to stand next to me for one day-one

he was looking at her like he had no other choice, made her question her next move. Could she

she refused? The consequences of his failure would ripple out, and she would undoubte

now-something that made her feel for the first time that maybe, ju

hat wouldn't just hurt him-it would hurt her, too. This was a chance to see him

rry you?" she said, her

you, Emma. But I need you to understand the gravity of this. If you don't do this, I coul

g about his vulnerability-something about how desperate he was-shifted something inside her. She felt a flicker of so

do it. But we're not going through with an actual marriage, Al

though she could see the relief in his eyes. "I just need t

at she was getting herself int

her chest. It wasn't just pity or professional duty driving her now-there was something else. Maybe it

he nagging feeling that this wasn't