Chapter 1 THE PROPOSAL

Isla Hart was never one to believe in fairy tales. She'd learned early that life didn't come with happily ever afters, and dreams didn't pay bills. For the past year, she had been running from one low-paying job to the next, each day blending into the next in a haze of deadlines, empty promises, and a never-ending pile of bills. She had tried everything, waiting tables, temp work, freelance writing, but nothing ever seemed to stick.

She'd been raised with the idea that hard work was the key to success, that perseverance would pay off, that one day she would be able to live the life she had always dreamed of. But at twenty-eight, Isla wasn't so sure anymore. She had a stack of unpaid rent notices on her kitchen counter, a car that was barely running, and a heart that was growing heavier with each passing day. She needed a quick solution.

That's when the email had arrived, like an unexpected lifeline in a sea of drowning frustrations.

"Dear Isla Hart,

I would like to offer you an opportunity to assist me in a highly confidential matter. Please consider this offer carefully. The terms of the arrangement are non-negotiable, but the reward is substantial. If you are interested, I would like to meet in person to discuss further details."

The email was signed with a name that sent a chill down her spine: Lucien Cross.

Isla had heard of Lucien Cross before. Who hadn't? The man was a legend. At thirty-five, he was already the youngest CEO to ever run one of the world's most successful tech conglomerates, Cross Industries. He was known for his ruthlessness in business, his meticulous attention to detail, and his cold, unfeeling persona. There were rumors about him, about how he had destroyed competitors without a second thought, how he had never allowed anything, or anyone, to stand in his way. He was the kind of man who built empires, not relationships.

So why was he reaching out to her?

After some hesitation, Isla had made the decision to respond. The curiosity that gnawed at her was too strong to ignore. If this was some kind of scam, she could always walk away, right? But when she arrived at the sleek, towering glass building of Cross Industries that afternoon, she found herself in a different world entirely.

The lobby was a masterpiece of modern design, polished marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sense of quiet sophistication that bordered on intimidating. Isla could feel her heartbeat quicken as she approached the front desk. The receptionist, a perfectly composed woman in a tailored suit, barely looked up from her screen as she motioned to a sleek elevator.

"Mr. Cross is expecting you. 30th floor."

Isla nodded, her palms suddenly slick with sweat. She had been in high-rise buildings before, but nothing like this. Nothing so... opulent. The elevator ride felt long, too long, as it silently ascended through the floors of the building, each one more impressive than the last. By the time it reached the top, her nerves had transformed into something resembling dread.

When the doors finally opened, she stepped out into a vast office that seemed to stretch on forever. The view from the windows was breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of the city below. But Isla barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on the man sitting at the sleek, minimalist desk in front of her.

Lucien Cross.

He was exactly as she had imagined, and yet, not at all. The rumors about him didn't do him justice. He was tall, well over six feet, with a frame that spoke of power and control. His suit, a custom-tailored piece of dark navy fabric, clung to his broad shoulders and tapered waist with the precision of a man who knew exactly how he wanted to present himself to the world. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his sharp jawline only added to the intensity of his gaze. His eyes, cold and piercing, seemed to see right through her.

"Ms. Hart," he said, his voice low and controlled, "thank you for coming."

He didn't offer his hand. Instead, he gestured to the chair across from his desk, a movement so deliberate that it felt like an instruction, not an invitation.

"Please, have a seat."

Isla took a deep breath and moved toward the chair, trying to ignore the feeling that she was stepping into a different world. She sat down carefully, folding her hands in her lap, her heart pounding against her ribcage. Lucien didn't waste time with pleasantries. He was a man who got straight to the point.

"I'll get right to the matter at hand, Ms. Hart. I need you to act as my fiancée."

Isla blinked, her mouth going dry. She had heard him correctly, hadn't she?

"Excuse me?" she asked, her voice sounding smaller than she intended.

Lucien's expression remained unreadable. "I need a temporary fiancée. Someone who can act as though we are in a committed relationship for a short period of time. It is a strategic move to present to the board and the media."

Isla's mind was racing. "But... why me? I'm not"

"I am aware of your situation, Isla," Lucien interrupted smoothly, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're struggling financially, and I can compensate you generously for your time. The terms are simple. We engage in a public relationship for three months, attend a few events together, and fulfill the role of fiancée without any emotional involvement."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening. "No attachments, no complications. Just business."

Isla's mouth went dry again. Was this some kind of sick joke? Who would sign up for something like this? And yet, she knew she had to consider it. The money he was offering was more than enough to solve all her problems for the foreseeable future. And if she was honest with herself, the thought of stepping into the glamorous world of Lucien Cross-of pretending to be someone important for a while-was incredibly tempting.

"Three months?" she asked cautiously, trying to keep her voice steady.

"That's all," Lucien leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "This engagement is crucial for securing a major merger. Once it's complete, our arrangement will end, and you'll walk away with a generous payment."

Isla's gaze dropped to the contract on the desk, its presence looming before her. The decision was heavy, her mind swirling with doubts. But practicality won out, the part of her that had endured sleepless nights worrying about bills and survival knew this was an opportunity she couldn't afford to ignore.

She inhaled deeply. "What exactly do you need from me?"

Lucien's lips twitched into a barely noticeable smile. "What I've outlined. No emotions. You'll play the role of my fiancée, attend events, pose for the media, and maintain the stable image I need. Nothing more."

Isla paused, weighing her options. "And when the three months are over?"

"We part ways. No strings attached," Lucien replied. "You'll be free to go your own way."

The weight of the decision was very heavily on her chest. Everything inside her screamed to refuse, find another way. But the survival instinct that had carried her this far knew there was no turning back.

"I'll do it," she said, surprising herself with the words.

Lucien gave a subtle nod. "Excellent. I'll send the paperwork over. We need to finalize this quickly, but I'll provide you with all the necessary details. You'll begin immediately."

Isla stood, her thoughts a storm of conflicting emotions. She had just committed to something that could change everything, her identity, her autonomy, even her views on love. Yet, it was also the only solution to her mounting problems. And in the end, self-preservation had always been her priority.

"I'll show myself out," she murmured, barely able to meet his eyes as she moved toward the door.

"Ms. Hart," Lucien's voice stopped her.

She turned back, meeting his gaze.

"You'll need to brace yourself up for what is coming," he said, his tone extremely calm. "What we're about to do will alter everything."

With that, Isla walked out of his office, the weight of her decision settling into her bones, and a realization hitting her: her life had just changed, totally.