Stepping out of the city clerk’s office with the freshly issued marriage certificate in hand, Julissa Greene still couldn’t quite believe it. Somehow, she’d ended up with a husband—a 6’2” man with strikingly gorgeous features.

“You’ve memorized your husband’s name?” A rich, magnetic voice beside her cut into her thoughts.

Julissa instinctively snuck another peek at the certificate, just to double-check. She nodded, confident now. “Yeah, I’ve got it.”

“I’ve already texted you our home address and the apartment number. Here’s the key. You can head over on your own—I need to get back to work.”

Flynn Greene pressed a set of keys into her palm without so much as a second glance and turned to leave. Julissa called after him, “Um… when do you usually get off work?” She wanted to time dinner just right for him.

Flynn paused. His tailored slacks emphasized those long legs of his, and the black shirt he wore radiated a quiet, understated confidence. Even just standing there, silent and still, his flawless, handsome features turned heads. Without looking back, he replied, “I’m not sure. I have to swing by the hospital.”

Realizing just how swamped he was, Julissa decided not to keep him. She waved as he caught a cab. She knew all too well that people in his line of work were basically on call 24/7 for their clients, and she respected that.

As she watched him disappear, her gaze drifted down again to the name on the marriage certificate—Flynn Greene—and a soft smile curved her lips. Just twenty years old and already a married woman.

Even though she’d only met Flynn twice—the first time at the hospital after her parents’ tragic car crash, and the second just yesterday when she donated blood for his little sister—circumstances had forced her to find a spouse fast.

In Flynn, she saw someone who’d lived through a similar nightmare, losing his own parents that very same day. Both of them were now left caring for a young child. He carried himself with this calm sense of responsibility, and his age suggested a maturity she hoped would translate into kindness.

And, okay, he was undeniably easy on the eyes. When she’d impulsively proposed to him yesterday, she never dreamed he’d actually say yes. Yet here they were, officially married.

The reality of their whirlwind wedding felt way less dramatic than she’d expected. Taking a steadying breath, Julissa tucked the marriage certificate into her bag and headed to the bus stop to pick up her little brother from preschool.

As she climbed onto the bus, her phone rang. Her aunt’s name, Savanna Russell, flashed across the screen. She hesitated for just a second before answering. Savanna’s razor-sharp voice sliced through immediately. “Julissa! I’ve been telling you to get home earlier. We’ve got important guests today. Where the hell are you? When will you be back?”

Julissa knew exactly what her aunt meant by “important guests”—she was scheming to marry her off to some unappealing, over-three-hundred-pound deadbeat for a fat dowry. But they were in for a rude awakening. Now that she was married, her aunt’s schemes had no hold on her. She replied, cool and steady, “Aunt Savanna, I’m married now. So you can stop lining up those dates for me. I’ll be moving out with my little brother and won’t be troubling you anymore.”

“What did you just say?! Say that again, you ungrateful brat!” Before Savanna could unleash her fury, Julissa ended the call and blocked both her aunt’s and uncle’s numbers. It was time to pick up Abel. She was done being their doormat. Every single dollar of her hard-earned salary—roughly seven hundred bucks a month—had gone toward supporting Abel, and still, they wanted to sell her off like livestock.

At least her new husband was kind, had a stable job, and being older, seemed to have some common sense. She wouldn’t miss that parasitic family one bit. Best to leave them behind for good.

After scooping Abel up, Julissa kissed his chubby cheek. “Hey, little man, we’re going somewhere Aunt Savanna can’t push us around anymore. We’re gonna live there now, okay?”

Abel, only five but already scarily wise for his age, beamed and hugged her tight. “Really? We never have to go back to Aunt Savanna’s?”

“That’s right. We’re going to our new home now.” Taking his hand, Julissa led Abel to the bus.

When the siblings arrived at their new apartment complex and gave their unit number to the security guard, they were buzzed right in. The building was nothing fancy—just an older high-rise on the outskirts of town—but to Julissa, it felt like a sanctuary.

Once inside their cozy apartment, Julissa was thrilled to discover it was around eight hundred square feet—small, but thoughtfully furnished. It already felt like a real home. She set Abel down, and he eagerly explored the space, eyes hunting for toys.

“Don’t mess with anything, got it? Remember, we’re not the only ones living here,” she reminded him.

Abel obediently yanked his hand back from the toy he’d been eyeing and continued poking around more carefully.

Julissa took a moment to really soak in the apartment. Two bedrooms, a tiny living room, a kitchen, one bathroom, and a balcony. Perfect for a family of four. Remembering that Flynn’s little sister was still stuck in the hospital, she headed to the kitchen to start cooking.

Meanwhile, at Greene Corporation, in the CEO’s suite, Flynn’s assistant, Dalton Williamson, was delivering a briefing. “Sir, as you instructed, a standard sedan has been delivered and is parked downstairs.”

Without lifting his eyes from the documents on his desk, Flynn asked, “What’s the price range?”

“Around ninety thousand,” Dalton replied, thinking a modest car like that would be more than sufficient for Flynn’s purposes.

Earlier, when he’d been tasked with finding a suitably low-key apartment, Dalton had nearly lost his mind. In his eyes, anything that matched Flynn’s stature would still cost a small fortune. And yet, Flynn had handpicked a charming—if cramped—apartment. Dalton couldn’t wrap his head around why someone like Flynn, accustomed to the absolute best, would willingly choose such a humble setup—even if it was to keep a low profile with Julissa.

“Do you honestly think your average person in this city is driving a ninety-thousand-dollar car?” Flynn’s voice was laced with thinly veiled impatience. “Maybe you need a little taste of ordinary life yourself. Should I get you a unit next door?”

Dalton nodded hastily. “Yes, sir, I’ll swap it out immediately. How about fifty thousand instead?”

“Cap it at twenty-five,” Flynn ordered, his expression stern. “And remember, when you pick me up, you’re just a friend of a friend. I’m in sales.”

Dalton bowed slightly. “Understood.”

Flynn checked his watch and rose from his chair. “Let’s head to the hospital.”

The Hospital.

Julissa had packed a lovely, home-cooked meal and brought her little brother along to the hospital. As they neared the door to the room, pitiful sobs spilled out into the hallway.

"Waa waa waa~~~ Brother, I want my brother… waa waa waa waa…"

"Quick—call Mr. Greene. If she keeps crying like this, the wound won't heal."

Julissa shot a quick glance at her brother, standing obediently beside her. "Abel, when we go in, try to cheer up your little sister, okay? We can't let her keep crying."

Abel nodded eagerly and bolted into the room ahead of her. Julissa followed, her voice soft but bright as she called to the tiny three-year-old squirming in the nurse's arms. "Kori, your big sister's here to see you."

The little girl was mid-sob, but the familiar voice cut through her tears. Her glossy, tear-filled eyes lit up the second they landed on the equally adorable boy at the foot of her bed.

But the pain hadn't gone anywhere. Tears rushed back all over again, and she stretched her little arms toward Julissa, whimpering, "Sissy… hug…"

"Okay, sweetie, I've got you." Julissa set down the insulated food bag and gently gathered the frail girl into her arms.

Kori Greene—Flynn's half-sister—was only three years old. Barely two when she'd been in the car accident that took her parents' lives. Five people died in that wreck, including both Kori's and Julissa's parents. Kori was the sole survivor, shielded by her parents' bodies. The crash left her fighting for her life, and she'd stayed in this hospital for an entire year before finally waking up.

Julissa held her close, murmuring soft reassurances until the crying faded. Once Kori quieted down, her big eyes shifted to Abel. Julissa smiled and introduced him. "Kori, this is your brother, Abel. You can call him Abel or just brother—whatever feels right. He's two years older than you, and he's gonna be here to look after you every day, okay?"

Kori didn't say a word. She rested her cheek on Julissa's shoulder and stared at Abel with quiet intensity. Abel reached up and touched her bandaged forehead with the lightest fingertips. "Does it hurt? You want me to kiss it better?"

Still silent, Kori didn't flinch away from his touch. That alone was huge.

Just then, Flynn appeared in the doorway. Even in casual clothes, his elegance was impossible to miss. He stood there, motionless, taking in the scene. The doctor noticed him and moved to greet him, but a single hard glance from Flynn stopped the man in his tracks.

Blood ties or not, Flynn felt nothing for his three-year-old sister. They were half-siblings—their father had remarried some younger woman, and Flynn had cut ties right then and there. Who knew their marriage would be so short-lived? And who knew they'd leave behind a two-year-old daughter for him to deal with?

At twenty-nine, the whole situation felt like a bad joke. A two-year-old sister? Especially one who woke up refusing to ask for her dead parents and only ever cried for him. Flynn didn't have time for childcare. He'd thrown money at the problem—nanny after nanny—but Kori hated every single one. Crying fits, tantrums, the works.

Yesterday, her screaming had ripped her wounds right back open. That forced Flynn to track down Julissa, the woman who'd once volunteered to donate rare blood for Kori. He'd noticed then that Kori went calm around Julissa. So he'd started toying with the idea of hiring her as a caregiver. But before he could even make the offer, Julissa threw a marriage proposal at him instead.

Flynn assumed she saw dollar signs. Refined looks, expensive taste—she clearly thought he was loaded. He hated gold diggers. But it was a deal that worked both ways: she wanted financial security, and he needed someone to keep his sister quiet. So they got married.

Now, he was honestly curious. Would she still want this marriage once she realized he was drowning in debt? And that, legally speaking, that debt was half hers now?

He strode into the room with purpose. "How's everything today?"

Kori lifted her head, her voice small and weak, begging, "Brother… hug…"

Julissa's eyes darted to Flynn, and something about his presence settled her nerves in a way she didn't quite understand.

Flynn ignored Kori's outstretched arms and focused on the doctor. The doctor quickly briefed him. "As long as she stays calm, she's doing well. It's a good thing Ms. Greene was able to soothe her. It would really be best if she could visit more often."

"She'll be visiting frequently," Flynn said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He dismissed the medical staff with a nod and walked over to Julissa. "I appreciate your help."

Julissa smiled and shook her head. "It's no trouble, really."

She nudged her brother lightly. "Abel, say hi to your brother."

Abel tilted his head and beamed up at Flynn. "Hi, brother! I'm Abel Greene. I'm five!"

Flynn's gaze dropped to the boy, then flicked back to Julissa. "Brother? Shouldn't it be brother-in-law?"

Julissa's cheeks flushed pink as she hurried to correct Abel. "Call him brother-in-law, honey."

Abel's eyes went wide with curiosity. "Why do I have to call him brother-in-law? Is it like a brother?"

"Well… kinda. You can almost call him either," Julissa fumbled.

Not getting it, Abel just shrugged it off and turned his attention back to his adorable little sister, determined to make her smile.

Flynn watched Kori's calm expression for a long moment, then shifted his focus to Julissa. "I need to talk to you," he said, motioning her toward the window.

He stood in front of her, and at six-two, he towered over her five-three frame, making her look impossibly small. Up close like this, Flynn couldn't help thinking that if he hadn't seen her ID with his own eyes, he'd swear she hadn't even finished middle school. Petite. Baby-faced. And somehow… his wife. It stirred a weird, uncomfortable guilt he didn't want to name.

Looking down at her, he spoke plainly. "I'm closing a major deal. Once the payment comes through, I'll take care of all the medical bills. After the mortgage and car loans are cleared, I'll add your name to the property deed. In the meantime… would you be willing to quit your job and help look after my sister for a few days?"

Julissa blinked in surprise. "You're still paying off a mortgage and a car loan?"

Knowing his sister relied on him for everything, the weight of that stress finally clicked.

"Yeah," Flynn said flatly.

He watched her face carefully, waiting. The moment she heard how broke he really was—would she regret saying 'I do'?

Savvy women know better than to get tangled up with a man drowning in debt. Julissa was no exception.

Yet, she glanced at the two kids playing quietly nearby and voiced her worry. "If I quit my job, won't that just pile more stress on you? I can manage looking after Kori and still work."

Flynn narrowed his eyes, caught off guard by what he saw as fake concern. "Kori needs someone there the second she wakes up, and you're the only one who can keep her calm. Trying to juggle work and Kori will run you into the ground. It's best if you quit. Don't sweat the money; I can take care of the three of you—unless, of course, you're used to living large."

Julissa quickly shook her head. "No, that's not me. I keep my expenses low. The only new cost would be enrolling my brother in the local preschool."

"Supporting the three of you won't be a problem," Flynn assured her, handing over a bank card. "I'll deposit money into it every month. You can leave your job and focus on Kori."

Julissa hesitated, eyeing the card he offered. She wasn't the type to lean on a man for support. But she couldn't ignore the fact that Kori needed care, and Flynn's demanding sales job left him no choice but to leave the little girl alone in a hospital. Once Kori was better, she could enroll her in preschool alongside Abel, and Julissa could go back to work. Taking the card, Julissa agreed, "Alright."

"I have a meeting to catch. I'm counting on you to look after Kori," Flynn said, already heading for the door.

Julissa suddenly remembered something and quickly tried to hand the card back. "You're still short on medical bills, right? Why not use this for the hospital? I've got some cash that should cover our living expenses."

Looking around the upscale hospital room, Julissa suggested, "We don't need such a fancy room for Kori. Maybe a standard room would be easier on the wallet."

Flynn paused, frowning slightly at the card. After a moment, he pushed it back toward her, his expression resolute. "Kori doesn't do well with crowds. If it weren't for my dad's passing and this financial mess, I wouldn't be in this situation. But I'm not cutting corners on Kori's care. I'll earn enough to pay off the loans and take good care of you all."

Turning to his sister, who was now giggling at Abel's antics, Flynn called out, "Kori, stay with your sister-in-law and brother, okay? I'm off to earn your medical bills."

With Abel keeping her company, Kori didn't miss Flynn as much. She nodded and went back to watching Abel do magic tricks.

Once Flynn was gone, Julissa reluctantly tucked the card away and pulled out the packed meal she'd brought for Kori. According to the doctors, Kori would be discharged within a week. Julissa couldn't just up and quit her job. Her salary was crucial—especially after shelling out $700 a month to live with her uncle's family, which left her with next to nothing.

If she quit, she'd be without any income, unable to depend entirely on Flynn. They were married now, and that meant facing challenges together.

After feeding Kori, Julissa pulled out her phone and called her manager to request a week off. Her manager, understanding and flexible, approved it.

Throughout the week, Julissa rarely went back to the apartment she shared with Flynn, careful not to disturb his work, keeping contact to a minimum. Flynn, for his part, had left the bank card with her and didn't ask for updates, rarely visiting the hospital. Yet, he kept a close watch on everything happening there.

A week later, at Greene Corporation Tower, in the CEO's office, his assistant Dalton placed surveillance footage from the hospital room on Flynn's desk. "Sir, I believe Ms. Greene is genuinely dedicated to caring for Kori."

Flynn sneered, his eyes fixed on the screen showing Julissa's image. "It's all part of her act. She's trying to win me over."

Dalton looked puzzled. "But as far as Ms. Greene knows, you're broke. Why bother trying to earn your trust?"

"She thinks I'm only pretending to be broke," Flynn speculated. What kind of young woman proposes marriage after just two meetings unless she thinks the guy is loaded? He was dead set on uncovering her true motives.

Dalton considered, "Could it be Ms. Greene was drawn in by your looks and felt a connection since you both share a similar tragedy?" Their parents had died on the same day. Julissa had her brother, and Flynn had his sister. Together, they'd formed a family, sharing each other's burdens.

Flynn shot Dalton a sharp look. "Good looks don't pay the bills."

"Uh, but those high-society ladies are all dying to marry you because of your handsome face," Dalton countered. "If I were living in a cramped apartment eating instant noodles, you think they'd still want me?" Flynn refocused on the screen. "Mark my words, she won't last a month before asking for a divorce."

His plan was to hire her afterward on a contract to take care of Kori. Once divorced, she'd no longer entertain any fantasies of being Mrs. Greene.

Noticing Kori's discharge time was approaching, Flynn instructed Dalton, "Arrange for us to go pick up Kori from the hospital." Dalton nodded. "Yes, sir."

At the hospital, after giving Kori breakfast, Julissa left Abel to watch over her. She grabbed the discharge paperwork and stepped out, only to spot her aunt, Savanna Russell, at the nurses' station asking questions. Instinctively, Julissa turned to leave, but Savanna, directed by a nurse, spotted her right away.

"Julissa Greene!" Savanna called out, quickly closing in on her. Julissa considered ducking back into the room and locking the door, but knowing Savanna wouldn't just go away, she decided to face her.

Agitated, Savanna grabbed Julissa's arm, fuming, "You think you can hide and I won't find you? Blocking your uncle's and my numbers—is that how you become independent?"