Chapter 2 Ten-Million-Dollar Compensation For The Sham Marriage

When Shirley Howard arrived with a tray of coffee, she glanced around and realized Kristine was nowhere in sight.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Shirley asked, "Mr. Higgins, did Mrs. Higgins leave already? I see you have a new visitor. Should I prepare a drink for her, or is there something else she'd like?"

Benny looked up at his secretary in confusion. "Mrs. Higgins? She was here?"

The mention of that title sent a visible shock through the three men in the room.

Benny shot to his feet, a scowl settling over his face as he replayed his friends' earlier comments in his head.

Meanwhile, Emilee remained perfectly composed. With a sly grin, she angled her phone so Shirley could clearly see the photo of her and Benny on display.

"I'm Mrs. Higgins now. Let's avoid any more mix-ups," Emilee said smoothly, and then turned to Benny. "Isn't that right, Benny?"

"What..." Shirley's jaw dropped, unable to piece together what had just happened.

After a tense pause, Benny yanked at his tie and, with a forced nod, acknowledged Emilee's claim.

"Of course, Mrs. Higgins. It's a pleasure to meet you," Shirley replied, adjusting quickly to the new reality.

Pleased with herself, Emilee rose from her seat, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with practiced grace. "Please introduce me to the rest of the team. I'm Benny's wife and your new design director."

Fate had a funny sense of timing. On the very day Kristine discovered the truth, Emilee made her grand entrance, laying claim to her role in both marriage and business.

Yet none of that meant anything now.

Kristine had already packed her things and left, placing nothing more than a settlement agreement and her ring on the living room table as she walked out.

With her departure, the villa was left hollow and silent, stripped of everything that once belonged to her.

Kristine refused to leave even a hint of herself behind.

Once she moved out, there was no wandering or feeling lost-she made straight for Rose Manor, determined to reinvent herself.

In her mind, she imagined Benny one day seeing her transformation and feeling nothing but regret.

Benny's call came right after she wrapped up her evening run.

Sweat dripped down her face as she caught her breath, her cheeks glowing pink beneath the studio lights.

Even with a fuller figure, her features still had a distinct charm, and she carried herself with a kind of easy confidence that refused to be hidden.

Steadying herself in front of the mirror, Kristine watched her chest rise and fall, and then picked up the ringing phone.

"I assume you've already looked over the agreement?"

"You were outside my office at noon. You heard everything, didn't you?"

They spoke almost in unison, falling back into that old, uncanny rhythm.

A bitter laugh slipped from Kristine, sharp as glass. Though she felt hollow inside, her eyes gleamed with something cold.

"So what was your goal, Benny? Five years of lies-for what? A joke? I'm simply asking for ten million as compensation for this whole farce. Believe it or not, that's already me being generous."

Benny's answer came with a chuckle that grated on her nerves.

"Kristine, come on. I asked you to marry me for the thrill of it, the same way people hand out party favors. You were the one who clung to the idea and made it a big deal. You kept pushing for that marriage certificate. I just gave you what you wanted-a fake one. Meanwhile, I've been married to Emilee this whole time."

He let the words hang for a moment before adding, "Emilee's all about the DINK lifestyle, so I had a vasectomy years ago to avoid any slip-ups. Still, she said if she ever saw someone loved another enough to throw away their career, to actually change everything just for the chance at a family, then she'd come home and maybe even give me a child. Well, Kristine, you helped make that possible. And now Emilee's back."

As Benny started talking about Emilee, his whole expression softened, missing entirely how cutting his words felt to Kristine.

"I'm not ignoring what you did for me, Kristine. I'll send you the ten million as promised. But I want something in return. Don't get married to anyone else. I can't stand the idea of what's mine ending up with another man after everything between us. If you still want to see me, as long as you leave Emilee alone, I'll keep you on at the company in an admin role. I'll even make time to visit you a couple of days each month. Let's be real, Kristine, you don't have the skills or connections to make it on your own. Letting me take care of you is your best bet," Benny continued, his voice taking on a patronizing calm.

For the first time, Kristine actually listened as Benny rattled on, and it only made her wonder how she could have been so blinded by him before. She realized she had never heard him sound so arrogant and oblivious.

"So those are my choices? What if I want neither?" Kristine snapped, her voice cold. "Who I marry is none of your business."

Benny retorted, "Then try it and see-"

Kristine didn't bother letting him finish. She ended the call, blocking his number with a sharp glare.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. So Benny expected her to pine for him, never moving on, as if she owed him her whole future.

He still had no idea who he was dealing with.

She pulled out her phone, typed out a new message, and sent it straight to her assistant.

Kristine said, "By ten tomorrow, have someone waiting for me at the courthouse. I want to get married."