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