"We'll say it happened during a weekend trip. Something private-romantic,

ght. Not only are we telling people we've been secretly seeing each other

d smoothly, unbother

roposes on a 'weekend trip' anymore? This whole thi

gleaming with amusement. "Do yo

she didn't. No matter how contrived this situation felt, Seb

n't expect me to pretend I'm some swooning

intensity that made her squirm. "You'll do fine

r arms across her chest. "Wh

of something unreadable. "Because, Grac

entirely of glass. The morning sun reflected off its sleek surface, giv

, peering up at the towering struc

ian replied casually,

marble floor. Every detail of the lobby screamed wealth, from the minimalist art inst

e doors slid open. The silence between them was suffocating as the e

xury penthouse than an office. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoram

aid, gesturing for her to follow h

ssed woman with striking features and an older man

Evelyn Marks, my head of PR, and Robert Langston, my legal counse

and toward Grace. "Ms. Parker, it's a

ing the weight of Evelyn's

a polite nod. "

eat. As they settled in, Evelyn opened a sl

toward Grace. "We'll need to craft a story that resonates with both personal and

ent, her stomach churni

with a practiced smile. "The more cohesive yo

d to memorize the key points. Our timeline, significant milestones-how w

" Grace admitted,

irmly. "If either of you falter

hich is why we're doing this

matter of the contract." He pulled out a st

ugh the document. "A contract? You'r

erms of your arrangement, including confidentiality clauses

canned the legal jargon. "

be compensated for your time and effort, of course

anger. "This is my life,

e," Sebastian said cool

tances silenced her. She'd come to him because she w

she picked up the pe

rved into a faint s

signed her name on the dotted line. When she set the pen

Grace. You're of

down her spine. There w