Chapter 4 As my wife

Scarlett stirred up from her sleep, her body sinking deeper into the plush mattress. The bed was too soft...too comfortable. Definitely not hers. She stretched, her limbs heavy, and then it hit her.

Yesterday.

The memory slammed into her. Harry had proposed to her cousin Isabella. While still in a relationship with her. After two years of loyalty, of love, of believing in him. And he'd been cheating for two of those years. With Isabella, of all people out of all the women in Los Angeles.

Harry had always advised her to forgive her family's cruelty. To rise above Isabella's constant humiliation. All the while, he was betraying her and screwing Isabella behind closed doors. The man she trusted most had turned out to be the sharpest knife in her back.

She was so lost in thought, she didn't notice the figure seated across the room until a voice-deep, smooth, and unmistakably male, cut through the silence.

"I see you're finally awake, Miss Brooks."

Spinning around.

Scarlett screamed.

"Ahhhhh!"

She placed her hand on her chest trying to calm her racing heart.

And then it all came crashing back. The kiss. The proposal and the humiliation.

Oh God. I asked Alejandro Moritz to marry me.

She groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"What an embarrassing way to start the day..."

But when she looked up, her breath caught again.

Alejandro Moritz sat on a velvet couch, one hand wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee, the other scrolling through a tablet. He wore a gray suit, the top buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of ink curling along his collarbone. His presence was magnetic with a sharp jawline, slicked-back hair, and a frame that radiated control.

Scarlett's jaw dropped.

Without looking up, Alejandro said coolly, "If you're done staring, get up. We need to talk about our marriage."

Scarlett blinked. "Good morning..." she stammered, then frowned. "Wait...our marriage?"

He finally looked up, his eyes cold. "You proposed yesterday. And I accepted."

She gaped. "I was drunk. I didn't mean it."

Alejandro tapped his earpiece. "David, push the board meeting by two hours. Cancel the rest of my morning schedules."

Then he turned to her fully. "Come here."

Scarlett hesitated. "No. I'll stay right here, thanks."

He arched his brow. "Suit yourself."

Alejandro slid a document across the table. "This contains the rules you are to follow, as my wife. Read it and Memorize it, then Sign."

Scarlett stared at the paper, then back at him. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

She stood, her arms crossed. "Mr. Moritz, I was humiliated yesterday. I acted out. But that doesn't mean I'm actually going to marry you, besides you clearly didn't accept the offer yesterday, so why the change of mind."

"you kissed me," he said. "In front of hundreds of people. Cameras and some stupid Journalists."

Scarlett gasps. Cameras! I don't think I saw any of them or anyone yesterday...

But then he turned the tablet toward her. A video played of her kissing him, the crowd gasping. Headlines were already circulating: Alejandro Moritz's Surprise scandal with a gold digger!

Scarlett's stomach dropped.

"ohh my goodness I'm so sorry, what was i thinking," she said. "I just hope people will forget about it soon."

Alejandro gave a humorless smile. "Forget, I don't think so. Not when my board is calling for answers. Not when my stock dipped three points overnight because of a scandalous engagement to a mystery woman.

Scarlett's mumbles. "So what are we going to do? Do you want to punish me for that?"

"No," he said. "I want to contain the damage. You have two options: marry me and play the part of my wife, or face a defamation lawsuit and breach of privacy claim. You soiled my name, my image, and created a media storm. My lawyers estimate the reputational damage at ten million dollars."

Scarlett's breath caught. "You're threatening to sue me?"

"I'm offering you a way out," he said. "You want revenge on your ex? Fine. I want control of my narrative. We both get something."

Scarlett's mind raced. She could walk away. She could fight this. But the video... the headlines... the power he wielded. She wasn't naïve. A legal battle with Alejandro Moritz would bury her.

Still, she wasn't going to be bullied.

She stepped forward, chin high. "If I agree to this, I have conditions."

Alejandro's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

"No intimacy. No control over my personal life. And I get to walk away after six months. No strings attached and definitely no lawsuits."

He studied her, then nodded once. "Done. But you'll follow my rules in public. You'll attend events. Smile and play your part as a wife."

Scarlett exhaled. "Fine. But I want my revenge on Harry."

Alejandro smirked. "offcurse. As my wife, I'll get your revenge."

She rolled her eyes. "Temporary wife."

He sipped his coffee. "We'll see."

Then he stood. "Get dressed. We're getting the marriage certificate today. A maid will bring your breakfast and something appropriate to wear."

Scarlett's eyes widened. "What...?.Today?"

"Yes, today miss Brooks. Any problem with that?"

She hesitated, then straightened her shoulders. "No. Not at all. Let's get this over with."

With that. Alejandro left the room.

Scarlett watched him go, her eyes trailing the powerful lines of his back, the way his suit hugged his frame. He was easily the most handsome man she'd ever seen. And somehow, she was about to become his wife for six months, at least.

Still processing everything, she was startled by a knock.

"Come in."

And a maid stepped in, bowing slightly, and introducing herself.

"I'm Mila, and I'll be your personal maid, ma'am. This is your breakfast and your outfit. I'll prepare your bath now."

Scarlett opened her mouth to protest, but Mila quickly added.

"Mr. Moritz's instructions."

She moved efficiently, setting the tray and clothes down before disappearing into the bathroom.

Scarlett sat at the table, nibbling on a croissant, her mind spinning. After breakfast, she stepped into the bathroom...and gasped. What the fuck!

Her reflection was a mess. Smudged lipstick. Mascara streaked from tears. Hair tangled like a storm had passed through it.

Scarlett was beyond embarrassed.

To think she had met a charming man looking like she was involved in a fight. She groaned, and quickly slipped into the bath. The warm water soothed her nerves, but her thoughts remained tangled.

This is happening. I'm marrying Alejandro Moritz. Today.

After taking her bath, Scarlett stepped out of the bathroom. And quickly got dressed, Mila helped style her hair to a loose bun, did a simple makeup, helping her dress in the elegant cream dress laid out for her, the dress was beautiful as it hugged her figure like it was made just for her. She looked every bit the woman who could stand beside Alejandro Moritz.

Thanks Mila, she said with a smile on her lips.

And Mila smiled back. "you are welcome ma'am".

With that Mila left and returned a few minutes later, with a soft knock.

"Mr. Moritz is waiting downstairs, ma'am."

Scarlett nodded, nerves fluttering in her stomach like moths. She followed Mila down the grand staircase, each step echoing in the marble-floored foyer. Alejandro stood by the door, scrolling through his phone, dressed in his earlier charcoal suit, his presence magnetic.

He looked up, eyes scanning her from head to toe.

"You look beautiful," he said, voice cool but appreciative.

Scarlett swallowed.

"Thanks."

Without another word, he opened the door and gestured to the sleek black car waiting outside. The ride to the registry office was quiet, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional buzz of Alejandro's phone. Scarlett stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind.

This is happening. I'm marrying him.

They arrived at the government building, where an official was already waiting, clearly pre-arranged by Alejandro's team. The room was minimal, clinical, with a desk, a few chairs, and a registrar who looked slightly stunned to see Alejandro Moritz walk in.

The registrar cleared his throat.

"Mr. Moritz. Miss Brooks. Are you ready?"

nodded.

"Let's make it quick."