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?"

"Just spit it out," Julissa Greene snapped, barely masking her impatience. Anything to end this conversation fast.

Savanna Russell remembered she was in a hospital. No need to make a scene—yet. Tilting her head, she painted on a thin, fake smile. "What brings you to the hospital? Abel sick or something?"

Julissa almost laughed at the hollow concern. "Would you care if he were?"

Of course Savanna didn't. Everyone knew she had only come for the thirty-thousand-dollar bride price she'd been scheming over. Julissa was ready to crush that hope.

"Where are your manners? Did I raise a brat who talks back to her elders?" Savanna's voice pitched higher, her hand darting forward to grab Julissa's arm.

Julissa's jaw locked, her patience fraying to a thread. "If you've got something to say, say it."

"Bring Abel out here and come back home with me. He's in that room, isn't he?" Savanna knew that if she got her hands on the boy, Julissa would have no choice but to fall in line. Without waiting for an answer, she tried to barge past.

Heart lurching for her little brother, Julissa stepped in her way. "We're not going anywhere. I told you on the phone—I'm married. Abel and I are doing just fine without you meddling."

"What?" Savanna whirled, her glare sharpening. "Married? To who? Who in their right mind would marry a broke girl with a kid in tow?"

"You're coming home with me. I've got a man lined up who's ready to drop thirty grand on a bride price for you. You should be down on your knees thanking me."

Ignoring Julissa's objections, Savanna shoved her aside and stormed into the room, searching for Abel. Terrified for him, Julissa rushed right on her heels.

They had no idea two men had been watching from a distance.

Dalton Williamson drew a sharp breath. "Boss, that woman's out of line. Want me to shut her down?"

Flynn Greene stood rigid, his brow deeply furrowed and temper clearly darkening.

Inside, Savanna froze at the sight of a little girl on the hospital bed instead of her nephew. Abel, spotting his aunt, bolted behind the curtain.

Savanna ignored the girl entirely, her voice ringing toward the curtain. "Abel, stop hiding. Come on, let's go home with Aunt Savanna."

Abel pressed himself against the wall, pretending to be invisible.

Julissa planted herself in front of him, meeting Savanna's glare. "We're not going back. Get used to it."

"You think you get a choice?" Savanna lunged, trying to shove her aside and snatch Abel, when suddenly a towering figure moved in, blocking her path.

She eyed Dalton with a sharp look. "Who the hell are you? Stay out of my business."

Julissa had no idea who he was, but the second she spotted Flynn at the door, an unexpected calm washed over her.

From behind the curtain, Abel peeked out. The moment he saw Flynn, he launched himself across the room and clung to his leg. "Brother-in-law, help! I don't wanna go with that wicked witch. She's evil."

Savanna's head snapped toward Julissa. "So you seriously went and got married?"

Julissa didn't deny a thing.

Savanna's gaze skittered to Flynn, thrown off by his sheer presence—tall, cold, and radiating an aura that made her stomach tighten. Then the truth clicked: Abel called him brother-in-law, and the little girl on the bed was obviously his. "Well, well. You shackled yourself to a man with kids from another marriage. How pathetic. I hand you a shot at a real marriage, and you settle for playing stepmom?"

"Watch your mouth and get out. Now," Dalton warned, his glance darting to Flynn, whose face was now carved from stone.

Savanna dismissed Dalton with a flick of her wrist and stepped right up to Flynn. "Really knotted that tie, huh?"

Flynn didn't blink. "Is that a problem for you?"

Seeing she was outmatched by these two men, Savanna switched tactics fast. "Look, since you went and married my niece, you'd best know our customs—especially since you're carting around baggage from a past relationship. Let me spell it out for you: taking a young thing like Julissa and sticking her with stepmom duty? You owe us at least thirty thousand dollars in bride price. Otherwise, I don't recognize this marriage."

"This has nothing to do with you. How dare you demand money from a total stranger?" Julissa's face burned, mortified by her aunt's sheer gall.

"It has everything to do with me—I'm your guardian," Savanna shot back, her eyes locked on Flynn, shameless and waiting.

"Thirty grand. Take it or leave it."

Dalton smoothly stepped between them, nudging Savanna toward the exit. "Why don't you come with me and we'll settle this bride price right now?"

Confident she was about to cash in, Savanna went willingly, pelting him with questions. "You his brother? You got the authority? I want the full thirty thousand plus gifts. He got a house? A car?"

As soon as they were gone, Julissa turned to Flynn, her cheeks flaming. "I'm sorry about her. She's my aunt. After my parents died, I lived with her family for a year. We don't owe them a cent. Please, just ignore everything she said."

Flynn didn't seem fazed at all. He ruffled Abel's hair with a casual hand. "Get your things. We're going home."

Julissa glanced at the discharge papers. "I haven't even filed the discharge yet."

"Already handled it." With that, Flynn scooped Kori up with one arm and took Abel's hand with the other, leading them out.

Julissa gathered up their bags and hurried after them, searching for her aunt and Dalton in the hallway. But the pair had already vanished.

Inside the elevator, she finally asked, "So, that guy—was he your brother or just a friend?"

“Buddy,” Flynn said, tossing the word out like it was nothing.

The family of four filed out of the hospital and climbed into a modest sedan. Julissa was still wondering why Flynn had slid into the front when she saw his friend hurrying over and sliding behind the wheel.

Dalton shot Flynn a glance, then turned that easy grin on Julissa. “Hey, I’m Dalton Williamson—Flynn’s buddy. Got things squared away with your aunt.”

Julissa’s smile came instantly, warm and genuine. “Hi, I’m Julissa Greene. About what happened back there… I’m so sorry. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Dalton said, starting the engine and pulling away from the curb.

The drive home stayed mostly quiet. The two kids entertained themselves, little murmurs and giggles filling the back seat as they sat on their best behavior. Julissa stole a few glances at Flynn, who sat stiff in the front, never once looking back. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. What was she supposed to say, anyway? Flynn’s silence only made the knot in her stomach tighter.

Thankfully, the hospital was close to their apartment complex, and they got there fast. Dalton walked them right up to the elevator, hands jammed into his pockets and a smirk dancing on his lips. “I’ve got some stuff to handle, so I’m not gonna come up with you guys.”

As the doors started to slide shut, Julissa blurted out, “Why not stay for dinner? After everything today, I kinda owe you.”

“Can’t do it,” Dalton said, already pressing the button to close the doors. “Rain check?”

The elevator hummed and sealed them inside. Julissa gave up pressing and risked a glance at Flynn beside her. She swallowed hard, then offered tentatively, “Um… your friend drove us home. You should probably thank him.”

Flynn shrugged off his jacket like the whole conversation bored him. “He didn’t do anything worth thanking.”

“He drove us home.”

“It’s my car,” Flynn shot back. He scooped his little sister into one arm, grabbed the luggage with the other, and strode out of the elevator like he owned the floor—which, honestly, he probably did.

For a split second, Flynn froze in the hallway, like he’d blanked on which apartment was theirs. Julissa rushed ahead, fumbling with the key before swinging the door open.

Inside, the two kids broke free, racing hand-in-hand toward the sofa, their laughter bright and carefree. Julissa checked the time. Still early.

“You hungry?” she asked Flynn. “Should I cook something? I mean, I haven’t been back in days—might not be much in the kitchen.”

She opened the fridge and stopped dead. It was fully stocked with fresh groceries. She spun around, finding Flynn hanging up his coat. “Did you buy all this?”

Flynn hadn’t had time to shop—he’d sent Dalton to do it. He tossed his jacket onto a chair and followed her into the tiny kitchen. “Who else would’ve done it?”

Julissa nodded slowly, piecing it together. She watched him wash his hands at the sink, and suddenly the kitchen felt too small. They were standing so close she could almost feel the heat radiating off him. Her heart jolted, speeding up for no reason she could name.

From where she stood, Flynn looked devastatingly handsome. But there was a hard edge to his jaw, a tightness around his eyes. Was he still pissed about what her aunt had said at the hospital?

Probably.

She opened her mouth to apologize, but Flynn had already turned to face her, something softening in his expression. “You know how to cook?”

Julissa nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“Never mind, then. Go hang out with the kids. I’ll cook.”

Even though he’d married a girl barely into her twenties, Flynn wasn’t about to treat her like some kind of household servant. He wasn’t the type to let his wife carry all the weight.

Julissa blinked. “Wait—you can cook?”

“No,” Flynn admitted flat-out.

She hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. Flynn caught her eye. “Go. Be with the kids. I might not cook much, but I’m not gonna feed you raw food.”

Cooking was just another problem to solve. He’d pull up recipes, figure it out. There wasn’t a challenge in the world he couldn’t handle.

Still wavering, Julissa tried again. “I can cook, really. Maybe I should just—”

“I said go rest.” His voice came out like a command, sharp eyes pinning her in place.

Startled by the steel in his tone, Julissa scrambled out of the kitchen. Then something occurred to her and she snatched an apron from beside the fridge. She stepped in front of Flynn, rising onto her tiptoes to loop the strap around his neck.

“At least wear this. So your shirt doesn’t get ruined.”

Flynn towered over her; she had to stretch just to get the apron behind his back, fingers brushing against his sides as she tied it.

Flynn went quiet, completely caught off guard by the gesture—so warm, so almost… affectionate. Was she trying to reel him in that fast? Ha!

Like he’d fall for cheap tricks. That whole scene at the hospital with her aunt? It reeked of a scheme to squeeze money out of him.

Fine. He’d play along. Let her show her true colors—he’d see how long it took.

Once the apron was secure, Julissa didn’t linger, busying herself elsewhere. She couldn’t ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach whenever Flynn got close.

But even while she kept her hands busy, her eyes kept drifting back to the kitchen. A tiny, traitorous part of her hoped she’d actually get to taste a meal cooked by her husband tonight. After her parents died, she and Abel had stayed with their uncle’s family. She’d never once been on the receiving end of a home-cooked meal. She was always the one in the kitchen, day after day.

Right here, in this modest apartment, she finally felt the warmth of a home that was hers. Once she’d tidied the bedrooms and found nothing left to do, she joined her brother and sister in the living room, her heart still quietly humming.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Flynn had been at it for a couple of hours, eventually setting a family dinner on the table—several dishes, a pot of soup. The presentation wasn’t half bad. The taste? He hadn’t tried it yet.

He pushed the kitchen door open, carrying the food over, and cut a glance at the little crew in the living room. “Come wash up and eat.”

Julissa quickly scooped Kori off the couch, herding Abel toward the sink before they all settled at the table. When she saw the spread, she could barely believe it was Flynn’s first attempt.

It actually looked… good.

Abel licked his lips, eyes wide as saucers. “Sis, it looks so yummy. Brother-in-law’s really something, huh?”

Julissa smiled, getting Abel and Kori seated before reaching for the bread basket—only to have Flynn beat her to it, serving them with a smooth, almost practiced motion. “You sit, too. I’ve never really eaten at home before. This is my first time cooking, so I have no clue how it tastes. We’ll just make do.”

He could’ve easily taken the easy way out—had Dalton bring takeout, or just ordered delivery. But with kids in the house, takeout didn’t sit right. And he couldn’t just lean on Dalton to play delivery guy forever.

Looking around the table, the oldest of them was barely in their twenties. At his age, somebody had to step up. A month, tops. That’s how long he’d hold things down. After that, Julissa would get bored of this little simple life and ask for a divorce, releasing him from the whole arrangement.

He pushed a dish toward her. “Go on, taste it. Tell me what you think.”