The shrill sound of Aeisha’s phone ringing broke the silence, dragging her out of the light daze she had fallen into. She glanced at the screen: Zeus. Her chest tightened as his name glared back at her. Not long after, another call came through—this time from her parents.

Why now? Why were they looking for her when they had made it clear time and time again that their precious Daisy was their priority?

Aeisha sighed, letting the phone fall silent as her mind replayed their voices. Daisy’s soft manipulations, Zeus’s betrayal, and her parents’ cold distance swirled together in her thoughts, a relentless storm she couldn’t escape.

“You look gloomy for such an early morning.”

The voice startled her, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. She turned to see Elliot standing in the doorway of his penthouse living room. He looked better than he had the night before—pale but steady, with a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Are you okay now?” Aeisha asked, ignoring his comment.

He chuckled softly as he moved toward the couch. “I’m fine, thanks to you.” He sat down, leaning back with an air of ease that contradicted the events of the night before. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me.”

She shook her head, brushing off his gratitude. “There’s no need to thank me. Anyone would’ve done the same.”

His smirk widened, amusement flickering in his gray eyes. “You’re wrong. Not everyone would have stopped for a bleeding man in a dark alley. I was lucky you were there.”

Aeisha didn’t know how to respond, so she stayed silent, her fingers fiddling with the wrinkled hem of her dress—a reminder of the chaos from the day before.

“I should go,” she said finally, rising from her chair.

Before she could take another step, his voice stopped her. “Wait.”

She turned back to him, finding his intense gaze fixed on her.

“I still haven’t paid you back,” he said.

Aeisha frowned, shaking her head again. “I told you, I don’t need anything. I just did what anyone would have.”

Elliot’s expression didn’t change, and for a moment, he seemed to be weighing his next words carefully. Then, his face shifted, showing a mixture of seriousness and hesitation.

“Can I ask you something?” he said.

She hesitated, but finally nodded.

“Were you supposed to get married yesterday?”

The question caught her off guard, the weight of everything she had tried to forget rushing back. Her chest tightened, but she answered quietly, “Yes.”

Elliot’s brow furrowed slightly as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I need a favor,” he said, his voice steady but low.

Aeisha blinked, unsure of what he was leading to. “A favor?”

He nodded, his cold features softening just enough to reveal a hint of vulnerability. “Marry me.”

Her heart stopped. “What?”

“You heard me,” he said, his tone calm yet firm. “I need to get married—and stay married—for a year. I’m willing to pay you five hundred thousand a month. After the year is up, I’ll give you five hundred million in alimony.”

Aeisha stared at him, the words barely registering. “Marriage isn’t a game, Mr. Cane. It’s not something you just... do for convenience.”

“I know that, but a lot of people do marry for convenience,” Elliot countered, his gaze unwavering. “I need your help, and you’re in a situation where you could use mine too.”

She wanted to argue, to call the proposition ridiculous. But the way he looked at her—desperate despite his composed demeanor—made her pause.

“Why?” she asked finally. “Why me?”

“Because I trust you,” he said simply. “You saved my life last night when you didn’t have to. That tells me all I need to know about your character.”

His words left her speechless. She wanted to believe this was a cruel joke, but the intensity in his eyes told her otherwise.

“I don’t have anywhere to go,” she murmured, the weight of her reality sinking in. Zeus, Daisy, her parents—they had all turned their backs on her. She was utterly alone.

“Then let me help you,” Elliot said, his voice softer now. “You’ll have a home, financial stability, and safety. In return, you’ll help me by being my wife—for a year. After that, you’ll be free.”

The offer sounded too good to be true, and yet, the sincerity in his tone made it hard to dismiss. Aeisha searched his face for any sign of deceit but saw only a man who seemed as lost as she felt.

“Why do you need to get married?” she asked, her voice still hesitant.

He exhaled sharply, as though the question was one he had been dreading. “It’s… complicated. But I promise I’ll explain everything in time. For now, all I can say is that I need you.”

His words hung heavy in the air, full of unspoken meaning.

Marriage. It was not something Aeisha had ever considered lightly. But her world had already fallen apart. Here was someone offering her a chance—not at love, but at stability and a fresh start.

Against every instinct urging her to walk away, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Elliot’s lips curved into a faint smile, relief softening his features. “Thank you,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

In that moment, Aeisha couldn’t tell who needed saving more—Elliot or herself.

Elliot Cane moved with a sense of urgency, his sharp gaze flickering between his phone and the open space of his penthouse. The tension in the air was palpable as he spoke into the device with the precision of a man used to giving orders.

“We’re going to the court,” he announced matter-of-factly. “A court wedding is simple and efficient. No point in delaying.”

Aeisha, sitting quietly on the couch, could only stare at him in disbelief. Before she could voice her thoughts, Elliot was already instructing someone on the other end of the line. “Bring a stylist and a few white dresses. Something elegant but not over the top.”

His cold, calculated demeanor left no room for protest. This man, who only hours ago had been bleeding in an alley, was now orchestrating a wedding like it was a business transaction. The efficiency with which he moved hinted at a life accustomed to control, leaving Aeisha no choice but to follow along.

An hour later, the penthouse door opened, and a small entourage entered. Two striking men led the way, followed by two women and a team of assistants wheeling in racks of white dresses. The surreal scene felt ripped from the pages of a glossy magazine.

The taller of the two men immediately approached Elliot, his expression one of thinly veiled concern. “We’ve been worried sick,” he said, his tone sharp.

“You disappeared without contacting us,” the other added, his eyes scanning Elliot’s frame.

“I’m fine,” Elliot replied curtly, but Aeisha couldn’t hold her tongue. “He’s hurt,” she blurted out, her voice tinged with worry.

Both men froze, their gazes snapping to Elliot in alarm. “Hurt?” they said in unison, their concern palpable as they began fussing over him like overprotective siblings.

Elliot sighed, his patience clearly waning. “If you two don’t stop, I’ll dangle you outside the penthouse for 24 hours,” he threatened, his tone icy.

The threat worked instantly. Both men fell silent, though their wary glances lingered.

Turning to the women, Elliot issued his next command. “Help her find a suitable dress for the wedding.”

One of the women looked startled. “Wedding?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in surprise. “Who’s getting married?”

Elliot’s icy glare silenced any further questions. He then looked at Aeisha, his expression softening ever so slightly. “Take your time choosing,” he said. “I’ll deal with these two.”

With a hesitant nod, Aeisha allowed the women to guide her into another room, leaving Elliot to handle his business.

Elliot led the two men, Lance and Ace, into his office, the air around him colder than usual.

“Who’s the woman?” Lance asked the moment the door shut. “The one staying with you?”

Elliot leaned casually against his desk, though his tone was anything but relaxed. “She’s the one who saved me last night. I’ve asked her to marry me.”

“Marry?” Ace raised an eyebrow, his tone edged with suspicion. “I know you need someone to marry, but… what if she’s a spy?”

Elliot’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “If she is, she’ll be dead by the end of the day,” he replied, his voice chillingly calm. “That’s why I want you two to find everything there is to know about her. No mistakes.”

Ace nodded reluctantly, though a flicker of doubt remained in his eyes. “And your wound? Is it okay? Do we need to take you to the hospital?”

“The woman took care of it,” Elliot said dismissively, his gaze drifting briefly to his side where the faint ache lingered.

Lance tilted his head, his expression a mix of curiosity and exasperation. “Do you even know her name?”

The question hung in the air, the silence stretching as Elliot hesitated. Instead of answering, he waved them toward the door. “Get moving. I need results by the end of the day.”

Meanwhile, the women worked quickly, dressing Aeisha in a simple off-shoulder gown that fell just above her knees. They adorned her with a delicate wreath, a soft veil cascading lightly over her hair.

“Perfect,” one of them said, stepping back to admire their work.

But Aeisha didn’t feel perfect. She felt like a stranger in a story she didn’t belong to. Yet she couldn’t deny the beauty of the dress or the skill of the women who had crafted her transformation.

When she emerged from the room, Elliot was waiting. His gaze landed on her and lingered, his usually guarded expression softening for a moment too long.

“You look… stunning,” he said, his voice sincere despite the coolness of his demeanor.

A faint blush crept up Aeisha’s cheeks, and she glanced away. “Is it okay?” she asked hesitantly.

“It’s more than okay,” he replied, a faint smile touching his lips.

Elliot stepped closer, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, a surprising contrast to the coldness of his exterior. “Let’s go,” he said, leading her toward the elevator.

Lance and Ace followed, their sharp eyes watching everything, while the silent men in black trailed behind. As the elevator descended, Elliot turned to Aeisha, his expression unreadable.

“What’s your name?”

The question surprised her. “Aeisha,” she said quietly.

He nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Just Aeisha?”

“Just Aeisha,” she replied, her voice steady despite the strangeness of the moment.

For a man so commanding, his silence after her response felt unexpectedly intimate. As the elevator continued its descent, Aeisha couldn’t shake the question that loomed in her mind—what, exactly, had she agreed to?

The judge’s voice resonated in the quiet courtroom. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Aeisha stood still, clutching the signed contract, the ink of her signature barely dry. The weight of her decision hit her with full force—she was now married to Elliot Cane, the second-richest man in the city.

Behind them, Elliot’s entourage broke into polite applause, their congratulations echoing through the room. The enthusiasm of the moment felt strangely out of place to Aeisha, who could barely process the surreal and detached nature of what had just transpired. She sighed, forcing herself to accept the reality she had willingly stepped into.

Elliot’s calm voice pulled her from her thoughts. "We’ll celebrate at Château, the five-star Michelin restaurant."

Aeisha blinked, startled by his nonchalant declaration. "Château?" she repeated, incredulity lacing her tone. "We don’t need to celebrate in such an expensive place."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, his expression betraying mild amusement at her protest. "And why not?"

She hesitated, feeling the weight of her discomfort. "The cost of a meal there could buy a car," she said finally, her voice soft.

A faint smirk played on Elliot’s lips, his gaze unwavering. "It won’t make me bankrupt, Aeisha. Let it go."

Realizing the futility of arguing with him, Aeisha sighed and relented. "Fine," she muttered, her resignation clear.

The car ride to the restaurant was a quiet one, Elliot seated beside her, exuding his usual composed authority. When they arrived, Aeisha’s breath caught as she took in the grandeur of the restaurant. Its elegant exterior was impressive, but the interior—lavish furnishings, sparkling chandeliers, and polished marble floors—was nothing short of opulent.

The staff greeted them with practiced warmth and efficiency. The manager approached swiftly, a polite smile gracing his face. "Welcome, Mr. Cane, Mrs. Cane. Congratulations on your marriage."

Aeisha froze for a moment at the sound of “Mrs. Cane.” The title felt foreign, and she struggled to respond, managing only a polite nod.

The manager gestured toward a private area. "Please, allow me to escort you to your private room."

Elliot nodded in acknowledgment, ready to follow, but their path was interrupted. A sudden tug on Aeisha’s hand made her turn sharply, and she found herself face-to-face with Zeus.

Her chest tightened at the sight of him. His once-familiar face, now unwelcome, was a stark reminder of betrayal.

"Aeisha," Zeus said, his voice a mixture of confusion and urgency. "Where have you been? Why are you just appearing now?"

Anger flared in her chest, and she yanked her hand from his grasp. "Why do you care, Zeus? You were ready to cancel the wedding for Daisy and her baby."

Shock swept across Zeus’s face, draining the color from his cheeks. "You know about that?"

Before she could respond, Elliot stepped closer, his frown deepening as he placed a firm hand on Aeisha’s waist. His voice was calm but edged with authority. "Is there a problem here, babe?"

The unexpected endearment caught Aeisha off guard, but she quickly caught on. Two could play this game. Smiling sweetly, she wrapped an arm around Elliot’s, her voice light. "No, honey, everything’s fine."

Zeus glanced between them, his confusion now tinged with disbelief.

Elliot’s piercing gaze didn’t waver. "We’re heading to our private room. Excuse us."

Without waiting for a response, Elliot guided Aeisha away, his hand firm and steady against her back. Aeisha kept her gaze forward, refusing to glance back at Zeus. She didn’t need to see his expression to know it was filled with questions she had no intention of answering.

Once inside the private room, with the door securely closed behind them, Aeisha exhaled a long sigh of relief.

Elliot observed her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Who was that?"

She hesitated, debating whether to explain, but it seemed pointless to hide the truth. "That was Zeus," she said finally. "The man I was supposed to marry yesterday."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, but his silence prompted her to continue.

Her voice wavered slightly as she admitted, "I found out he’s been in a relationship with my sister. She’s pregnant with his child."

Elliot’s lips pressed into a thin line, but his tone remained even. "And what do you want to do about him?"

The question surprised her. She stared at him, unsure of his meaning. "I don’t want to do anything. He’s not worth my time."

Elliot nodded once, as if her answer was enough. "Good."

The simplicity of his response threw her off. There was no judgment, no probing questions—just quiet acceptance. For the first time in days, Aeisha felt a faint sense of relief. Elliot’s presence, though detached and often cold, seemed to offer a strange kind of steadiness, like an unyielding wall against the chaos of her life.

"Let’s eat," Elliot said, motioning toward the table.

As they sat down to dine, Aeisha couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind her life had become. Yet, amid the chaos, a thought lingered in the back of her mind—perhaps, in Elliot Cane, she had found an unlikely ally.