chapter 5

*Raymond's POV*

Five years had passed, but I still couldn’t erase the memory of that beautiful woman.

The stranger from the bar.

I had spent countless nights trying to recall her face, but all I ever remembered were her deep, sorrowful eyes and the way her body melted into mine that night. She was wild, desperate, and breathtaking. And just like a storm, she had disappeared by morning.

I sent out men after her, using the little information I had, but no one could find her, there was no name, no identity. Just a ghost of a woman who had burned herself into my soul.

But I guess fate had its own plans.

Five years had passed, and everything had changed.

Alexander had moved on and married Rachel. Our father was proud, boasting to everyone about how his "perfect son" had settled down. He even gave Alexander time off from work to enjoy his marriage, while I was left behind to shoulder the entire weight of the company.

I didn’t mind at first, Hard work was all I knew.

Until my mother sat me down and told me the truth.

"Ray, listen to me carefully," she had said. "Your father plans to give everything to Alexander. The company, the estate, the assets, everything. And do you know why? Because he thinks you’re not responsible enough because you are unmarried. You know how your father thinks."

"What?" My grip on the glass tightened, the weight of her words slamming into my chest.

"Your brother plays the perfect son, the perfect husband, and because of that, your father thinks he deserves to run the family empire."

"But I built this company!" I snapped. "I worked my ass off day and night while Alex was out living his dream life! And you're telling me I’m being cut out?"

"Not if you act fast," she whispered.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Marry, Raymond, Find a wife, is it that hard for you? Show your father you’re just as responsible as Alexander. It doesn’t have to be love, just someone to stand by your side and make you look like the family man he wants you to be."

Marry? The thought was ridiculous.

But then I thought about everything I had worked for, Every late night, every deal closed, every sacrifice, every sleepless night, i wasn’t about to let it all slip through my fingers.

I would get married.

No matter what.

...

The Next Morning

I sat in my office, my fingers drumming against the desk as Samantha, my secretary, walked in.

"Sir, the candidates for the job interview are here."

"Good. Send them in, one at a time."

I was supposed to be hiring a personal assistant, but in the back of my mind, I was also searching for something more. Someone suitable, Someone who could be molded into the role I needed.

The first candidate walked in. Dressed in all black, with dark lipstick and a permanent scowl. She looked like an emo.

"No." I dismissed her before she could even introduce herself.

The next woman was beautiful, an Italian with a killer body, but when she started running her hands down her chest, trying to seduce me right there in my office, I was done.

"Out."

She ran out, and I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was a waste of time.

"Next," I muttered.

And then she walked in.

A woman in a red dress, elegant and confident, sat down in a nice position. Her hair was tied back in a sleek bun, her skin flawless, and her lips set in a firm line, as if she had little patience for nonsense.

She met my gaze, her eyes unwavering.

"My name is Erica Smith. I’m 28 years old, and I’m here for the job application."

Something about her felt familiar.

"Do you know what job you’re applying for?" I asked.

"No, sir," she admitted.

"Then why do you think you’re capable of handling it?"

Her lips twitched. "Because there’s nothing I cannot do. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to work for an empire like yours?"

She was sharp, I liked that.

I placed the contract on the table. "Take a look, and if you agree, sign at the bottom."

She quickly skipped through the pages, then grabbed a pen and signed without hesitation.

I leaned back, amused. "Do you know what you just signed?"

She smirked. "A job contract?"

I chuckled darkly. "No, Erica. You just signed a marriage contract."

Her entire body stiffened.

"What? "Her voice barely above a whisper.

"I told you to read through, didn’t I?"

She swallowed, her hands shaking slightly. "You’re joking."

"I don’t joke when it comes to business." I leaned forward, my eyes locked onto hers.

"Here’s the deal. We will be married for two years. In return, you will receive ten million dollars, five million upfront and the remaining five after two years. In public, we will be the perfect couple, behind closed doors, we are nothing more than business partners. No emotions. No expectations."

She stared at me, her breaths uneven.

"Are we clear?" I asked.

Her hands clenched into fists. "But… but there’s something you need to know about me."

I arched my brow. "If it’s not important, skip it."

"It is."

I exhaled impatiently. "Then what is it, Erica?"

She hesitated, then whispered, "I have a daughter."

Everything inside me stilled.

"What?"

"I have a daughter," she repeated, her voice steady. "And if you’re going to marry me, you need to know that she comes with me, she’s my responsibility, and I won’t abandon her for any amount of money."

For the first time in years, I was left speechless.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

A wife I could handle, A fake marriage, I could control.

But a child?

A child changes everything

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