The Pretend Bride's Unexpected Path To True Love

ia's

a few months ago. Before that, I worked as a se

Paying for college tuition and my brother, Max

o look after him so I could come home to him each night. Losi

be the hardest money I ever earned. Turning down the job never felt like an option. Debt buried me, and my little brother needed me to take care of him. After our par

y introducing me to the owner of

in. Things changed when child protection services threatened to intervene. I realized I coul

would not always have to sleep with clients. If a client expecte

hoose who we wanted to meet an

r easy. Still, I started making enough money. I paid for my college tui

carlet Angels. I had broken one of Liza Schmidt's rules. She owned the agency. The worst part was that I never even cared for the guy. He made a big scene, telling Liza that he was qu

n turned out to

snapping me out

el

for a few more months. But let's say for

p would take place in Portofino, Italy. When she named the payment, my heart nearly stopped. That amount could pay for

left sex out of the arrangement. He

promise of all that money witho

ext day to shop for everythin

ect you not to disappoint me. It's his first

ecifically did not want sex. It felt like a stro

rything I can not

od. A traditional family man who will probably marry someone in his circle but still wants

he have any sp

sex. He wanted secrecy, of course. He would pay for everything-clothes, luggage, and travel expenses. He wanted me to rea

the money and the hope of finally escap

by email. I have to forward them for th

tomorrow. Thank you

n, but he picked you. He insisted that it had to be you, or he would not make the deal. He's paying three

nk you. See y

. He picked me. He insisted it had to be me. I

to dwell on it, since the next day Liza planned

breath, needin

t him know about the trip. To him and to anyone close, I said I work

ll's school. After I spoke with the se

m so happy

wanted to hear your vo

p, and I made it to the school Olympi

I'm so proud of you. We'll see each oth

you flying

stand the truth about my work. In a way, this

s soon as I come back, I'll hurry to

. I like the presents, bu

worked. But first, I needed to clear all our overdue bills and find another job. Only the

h and tried to soun

t boy. I can't wait to see y

els, Thalia. I'm off to play

And remember, I love you more than

nd hung up. I wiped the tears from my face

ract seemed reasonable, I would be leaving for It