Chapter 1 A Proposal That Changes Everything

The skyline stretched endlessly, shimmering against the early morning light. Aiden Thorn stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, his silhouette sharp against the backdrop of the city. The documents on his desk-his grandfather's will-mocked him with their stipulations.

"Marry within thirty days, or the Thorn Estate will be liquidated and donated to charity."

Marriage. The word irritated him. It was unnecessary and inconvenient, but the estate wasn't just sentimental-it was critical to his company's next big move.

He turned as his assistant, Vanessa, walked in. "Elena Reyes is here," she announced, her voice calm and efficient.

"Send her in."

Moments later, Elena entered the room. Her presence hit him like a wave. She wasn't what he expected-a billionaire's polished fiancée-in-waiting. Her hazel eyes glinted with defiance, her dark curls framed a face full of strength, and her jeans and paint-speckled blouse stood out in sharp contrast to the sleek luxury of his office.

Her gaze locked on his, unwavering. "You requested to see me?"

"Please, have a seat," Aiden offered, though his tone made it sound more like an order.

"I'm fine standing," she replied curtly.

He smirked slightly. She had backbone; he appreciated that. "Then let's get to the point."

"That would be great," she shot back.

"I need a wife."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Elena blinked, then frowned. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No," Aiden replied smoothly, his expression unreadable. "It's a business arrangement. You need money to save your father's gallery, and I need a wife to fulfill the terms of my grandfather's will. Six months, no strings attached. You'll be compensated well enough to ensure the gallery's survival and growth."

Elena scoffed. "You're asking me to marry you for money? To lie for six months?"

"It's not lying. It's fulfilling a contract."

"And you think I'd just agree to something so insane?"

Aiden leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "I think you will. You have as much to gain from this as I do."

Her hazel eyes burned with anger. "Why me? Why not one of the women already throwing themselves at you?"

"Because you're not like them," Aiden said simply. "You're not after my money or status. You're here because you care about that gallery. And I need someone I can trust to keep this professional."

Elena froze, caught off guard by the weight of the word "trust."

"I'm not a pawn in your billionaire games," she snapped.

"This isn't a game," he said, his voice lowering. "This is business. And we both know you're smart enough to think about what's at stake."

Elena hesitated, the edges of her resolve cracking under the weight of his offer. She needed to save the gallery. It was her father's legacy, her legacy.

"I'll think about it," she said finally, her voice quiet but firm.

"Take the weekend," Aiden replied. "But I don't have time to waste."

As Elena turned to leave, she paused by the door. "If I say no?"

"You'll lose the gallery," he said without hesitation. "And I'll find someone else. But something tells me you won't walk away from this."

She shot him a look over her shoulder, her mind racing with possibilities.

Later that evening, as Elena returned to her small apartment above the gallery, she checked her phone. A single message from an unknown number flashed on the screen:

"Be careful who you trust. Not everything is what it seems."

Her stomach twisted as she read it again. Something wasn't right. But what?