Chapter 5

Liam generously lent me the upstairs study to draft the contract. "If you need a lawyer, you can call this one."

He slid a card across the table, the creamy paper bearing the name Simon Tate. "One of the firms the Hewitt Group works with. Or if you don't trust it, I can find another."

I kept the card.

Half an hour later, the contract lay before him.

It wasn't long. My main goal was to protect myself and the house.

The agreement stated I'd help Liam prepare for a wedding, posing as a couple in public for no more than three months.

A separate clause ensured the Hewitt Group would abandon plans to demolish the villa or use it for anything else.

Liam read it carefully, then made two suggestions.

First, on the villa's demolition, if the agreement was breached, compensation would be fifty million.

I froze. Past offers hadn't even reached a tenth of that.

Was he out of his mind?

The second point came hesitantly. "Three months feels a bit rushed. Even if the wedding's a strategic move, the Hewitt Group's stock prices could take a hit."

I studied him, wondering about his next move.

His brow twitched, but his eyes were clear when they met mine. "Let's add that if both parties agree, you have the option to extend the contract before the three months are up."

Extend?

Before I could speak, he hurried on, as if afraid I'd back out. "Julia, you're single now. More precisely, you just found out your fiancé cheated. Starting something new could help heal that wound, no?"

I nearly spat my water in his face.

Heal with his cousin? Really?

But Liam looked confident. "I don't have time to meet anyone else. Why not give this a shot? Three months. If there's no spark, we end the agreement peacefully."

The more open he seemed, the less I could figure out his real motives for this deal.

But I had no better options.

I nodded reluctantly, watching him sign and stamp the contract, almost relieved.

He locked it in a safe.

Then I had to voice an awkward request.

Calm now, I faced my grim reality.

Betrayed by my best friend and fiancé, I had nowhere to stay in Riverhaven unless I went back to the villa with the stray cats and dogs.

"Um... can I stay here for a while?" Those few words left me so embarrassed I wanted to curl up and disappear.

"Sure." He answered quickly. "You're my girlfriend now. Of course you stay here."

His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his brow tightening.

It was Cayden calling.

Liam coughed lightly and stepped aside to answer.

In the empty villa, the call was still audible.

"Liam, I was too worked up today. Look, tomorrow I'll have Vivian bring her back. They're best friends, and they've always lived together."

Liam smiled. "Hold on, let me ask her."

Before Cayden could object, he raised his voice. "Darling, do you want to move back with your friend?"

Darling. A shiver ran down my spine.

"No."

Liam nodded. "You heard her? My girlfriend doesn't remember anything, so no need to trouble Vivian."

He paused, then added, "We just had a heartfelt talk and agreed on this marriage thing."

Cayden went quiet, then spoke lower. "Don't go too far. She'll remember eventually, and when she does, she'll come running back to me, crying. I'm not sure about others, but Julia's been with me three years. No parents, no family. I'm the most important thing in her life."

His voice dripped with confidence, even a hint of scorn. "When she remembers, I'll sweet-talk her, and she'll forgive me."

Liam sounded curious. "And your friend? How'll you handle her?"

"Vivian and I are just using each other. She likes my skills, I like the thrill. You wouldn't get it. Just keep Julia steady for me, brother, and I'll owe you big time."

The call ended.

Liam turned back, his eyes holding a trace of pity. "You're crying."

I wiped my tears, turning away stubbornly. "No, just dust in my eyes."

He coughed. "I didn't open any windows."