The Billionaire's Temporary Bride

er portfolio tighter, hoping no one would notice the trembling in her hands. Tonight was supposed to be her breakthrough, the night her ar

shed, more famous, more bankable. Charlotte stood near her display, an uneasy smile plastered on her face, trying to mask the sting

Mrs. Dalton, the gallery owner, her face pulled into a tight expression. "B

as her chance. Following Mrs. Dalton across the gallery, she

r supposedly stood, she found no one. Char

h, it seems they've moved

ed her for years. Next time, her art would sell. Next time, her bills wouldn't pile up.

not because of his height or the sharpness of his tailored attire, but because of his stillness. Wh

the energy to deal with another critic or, worse, a pat

ling it out, she saw her sister's n

led on the other end. "Just checki

tone. "Oh, you know, schmoozing, dazzl

fighting her own battles for too long. "Listen, I hate to bring this up, but the lan

of it," Charlott

putting yourself last, Char

etting her tone immediately. "Sorry. I'll

wering. "Okay. Just... do

wn on her. Crazy? That was her life now. Every day, she had to make

n the dark suit. He was even more imposing up close. His sharp jawline

his voice rich and deliberate.

ously, unsure if it was a comp

at inspires such

ut he seemed genuinely interested. "Life, I guess," she said after a moment. "The stru

quite reach his eyes. "Messy, indeed. Tell me, Miss Reed, have y

admitted, "but it's in the

e turned and walked away. Charlotte watched him go, puzzled and slightly irritated. Who

Dalton approached her again, her expressi

, Mrs. Dalton handed her an envelope. "T

check far smaller than she'd hoped. It wasn't enough-not f

ot unkind. "Your work is brilliant, but buyers

murmured, though bittern

he hurried toward the subway, her mind racing with half-formed plans. Maybe she could take o

amiliar voice, stoppi

from the gallery. He stood beneath a black umbrella,

an help each ot

n, but desperation rooted h

d, extending a hand. "I hav

and. It was warm, firm, and unsettlingly

is just over there." He gestured toward a

w you," she said,

e disarming. "But I believe t

nd desperation battling in her mind. Once inside, she was greeted by the sc

sture relaxed but his gaze intense. "

hiver down her spi

"Your resilience. You're.

ed?" she asked, her voice s

he said

reeze. Charlotte blinked, sure

orarily, o

is ins

e to appear settled, family-oriented. You need financial stability. I'm offering you

was absurd, unethical, and completely out of

agrees to something like this,"

ay a role. For one year, you'll have everything you need-financial freedom

ldn't ignore the gravity of the offer. It was a li

laughing bitterly.

aning closer, "crazy is

In his eyes, she saw something unexpected-a fl

with his number. "But don't take too long. O

ng in her mind. It was madness. But with the weight of her sister's needs and h