The Widowed CEO's Contract Bride

Harry's suggestion didn't sit right with Deanna at all. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't come up with something like that.

"What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Did you hit your head before you came here?" she said.

"I know it sounds crazy, but we really need your help. I don't know who else to turn to," Harry replied.

Laura, Harry's fiancée, remained silent. Still, the worry on her face kept growing.

Things had already gotten complicated. They were both still in school, still young, and deeply in love, but they hadn't been careful. Just three days ago, Laura confirmed she was pregnant.

"Trust me, I get it, Harry, but no one will believe this. Your family doesn't even know who I am," Deanna said.

"I already spoke to my brother, and he agreed. Please, Deanna, help us," Harry said.

At that point, Laura gathered her courage and finally spoke, and her eyes filled with tears.

"We wouldn't come to you like this if it didn't matter so much to us. Our families are strict about these things. They won't allow Harry to marry me if his older brother isn't married yet. And my family won't let me keep the baby if I'm not married," Laura said.

Watching how anxious Laura was about her baby made Deanna hesitate.

"I can't believe people still think like that these days. But I've only seen your brother in pictures," she said.

The idea they laid out was straightforward. If Harry and Laura wanted to get married, then Daniel, Harry's widowed older brother, needed to remarry first. As Harry's closest friend, Deanna ended up being their only choice.

"I can't wrap my head around it either. It feels like we're stuck in another era. This was the only way I could think of, and Daniel said he's willing to go through with it too," Harry said.

"How is your family supposed to take this? Do I just walk in one day and tell them I'm your brother's fiancée?" she asked.

"We'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, what matters is getting you married as soon as possible. Once that's done, we'll have our own wedding, and then we can welcome our baby," Harry said.

Somehow, Deanna found herself thinking the same way Harry did. The plan sounded ridiculous, yet it was starting to make sense. She cared too much about her friend, and when she saw how distressed Laura was over her unborn child, she finally made her choice.

"Alright, but-"

"Are you serious, Deanna? This is incredible!" Harry said.

"Hold on, Harry-"

"You really saved us. You're amazing! Laura, we're getting married!"

"Harry! Wait, please... At least let me meet your brother first," she said.

"That works. I'll set up a dinner so the four of us can sit down and meet."

Tears spilled down Laura's face, and she couldn't hold them back. The relief and joy hit her all at once. Harry pulled her into his arms and held her close, pressing soft kisses to her cheeks as he tried to calm her down. Anyone could see how deeply they loved each other. It made everything feel even more unfair, knowing they had to come up with something so extreme just to be together.

The more Deanna thought about it, the more it felt like she was stepping straight into trouble. She couldn't understand how a family could still hold onto such rigid traditions. Even so, turning them down didn't feel right after everything they had shared. She had known Harry since his first days at the Arts University. They became classmates almost immediately, then partners in mischief, and eventually, the kind of friends who stuck by each other no matter what.

Back then, Laura hadn't been comfortable with how close Deanna was to her fiancé. As time passed, though, she realized there was nothing romantic between them. What they had felt more like siblings than anything else. From then on, the three of them spent most of their time together, even if their lives were completely different.

Both Harry and Laura came from families known for producing successful professionals. Deanna's story was nothing like theirs. She grew up with just her mother and grandmother, and she was the first person in her family to make it to university.

To keep things going, she worked part-time at a clothing shop. It helped with her expenses and eased some of the pressure on her mother, who had already done so much just to send her to study in the capital. Singing came naturally to Deanna, a gift she probably got from the father she had never met. Her mother and grandmother gave up a lot so she could chase a better future.

Money had never been an issue for Harry and Laura. Still, Harry had his own struggle when he fought to study music. His father had wanted him to follow a more traditional path like law, medicine, or business, just like his brother Daniel. In the end, things worked out because Daniel had already taken over the family business, so their father loosened up a bit with his younger son.

"My family can't know about this," Deanna said.

"Why not?" Laura asked.

"My family only has the three of us. It's my mom, my grandmother, and me. I don't want them to believe this marriage will last forever, only to see me divorced later. I already promised them I'd finish my degree first," Deanna said.

"Don't stress about it. We'll keep everything as low-key as we can," Harry replied.

Time wasn't on their side. Laura had less than eight months before the pregnancy became impossible to hide. They had to move fast. Once Deanna and Daniel got married, Harry and Laura planned to run off together and begin their life elsewhere. They would come back after the baby was born, and by then, no one would be in a position to question them.

As for Deanna and Daniel, they would simply say things didn't work out and go their separate ways, as if it had all been temporary. It wouldn't raise suspicion. Couples split all the time after realizing they weren't right for each other. No one would get hurt, and Deanna would end up with a niece or nephew to dote on.

"I'll call my brother and tell him the good news. I'll also ask when he's free to meet us," Harry added.

"Does he even know who I am?" Deanna asked.

"He knows I planned to ask a friend from university. There was no point telling him it was you since you two haven't met," Harry answered.

"Alright, I get it."

"Relax, I'm sure he'll like you. He's not as hard to deal with as people make him out to be," Harry continued.

"What exactly do you mean by 'hard to deal with'?" Deanna asked.

"My future brother-in-law can be a little... particular. Still, Harry's right. Once you get used to him, he's not that bad," Laura said, trying to reassure her.

"Why do I feel like I just signed myself up for a disaster?" Deanna said.

A knowing look passed between Harry and Laura. Daniel could be difficult at times, that much was true, but he wasn't a bad person. He was strict, nothing like Deanna's easygoing and lively nature. Even so, he agreed to help for the sake of his future niece or nephew. When he first heard the news, he made a scene, but in the end, he still chose to stand by his brother, his soon-to-be sister-in-law, and the child.

"Oh, and you do know Daniel has three kids, right?" Harry said.

"What?!"

"Yeah. Ethan, Naomi, and Jonathan."

"I thought those were your sister's kids!" she exclaimed.

"No. Susan's still single," Harry said.

"Oh my God," Deanna said.

"You're going to be a great stepmom."

"Keep talking like that, and I might just walk away from all of this," she replied.

"Too late. You already agreed."

"Watch me," Deanna said.

Joy lit up Laura's face, and she couldn't stop smiling. Seeing Harry and Deanna argue like that reminded her how lucky she was. Deanna was willing to go this far for them. She was about to become a mother, and the man she loved was about to marry her. All she wanted now was for everything to go smoothly and for Daniel to act like a proper gentleman.

Later that evening, the three of them headed to the food stall near the university, the same place they always visited. Deanna and Harry ended up drinking more beer than they should have, and by the time they left, Harry had to half-carry her back to her apartment before calling a taxi.

When they finally got inside, Harry dropped "Mighty Dean," as he liked to call her, onto the bed. She sank into the mattress and didn't move, completely out cold. At that moment, Deanna had no clue what kind of situation she had just stepped into, all because she chose to help her friends.

For five long years, Daniel Crusher had lived as a widower. Not long after their son came into the world, his wife lost her life to a heart condition. Since then, he had been left to care for three children, and the house they once shared now carried a silence that pressed in on him.

The idea of marrying again never crossed his mind. People still sought him out, and a few brief relationships came and went, but none of it stayed. He convinced himself that raising his children alone was enough. At least, that was what he chose to believe.

Everything shifted when his younger brother showed up with a request that made no sense at all. Once Daniel learned the reason behind it, his temper snapped without warning.

"Have you completely lost your sense of responsibility?"

Even with his anger, Daniel couldn't bring himself to walk away from his brother and Laura. The thought of leaving them, especially with a child on the way, didn't sit right with him. No matter how distant he tried to be, a part of him still cared more than he wanted to admit.

"Tell me who she is," he insisted.

Harry gave him a name, and that was enough to set him off again.

"Wait. You're saying she studies with you? So she's your age?"

"Yeah. She's twenty-five. Same as Laura and me."

"You've got to be kidding me. That's a fifteen-year gap, Harry."

"I don't have any other option. She's the only one who might actually say yes. I can't think of anyone else who would even consider it."

The situation only grew worse the more he thought about it. He would have to marry a stranger, someone far younger than him. A university student he had never even met. Nothing about it felt right, and every part of him expected it to fall apart.

"You do realize Mom's going to explode when she hears about this."

"You'll deal with her. You always do. When you decide on something, you make it happen, even if they don't agree."

"That's not the same thing, Harry. Do you really think they'll just accept me marrying someone younger, someone they've never even heard of, and who happens to study with you?"

"Then just say I was the one who introduced you to her."

Pulling rank wasn't the issue for Daniel. He knew he could make decisions stick if he wanted to. What troubled him was how it would all come together. The story needed to hold up. A woman that young didn't match what people expected from him, and there were too many questions that wouldn't have easy answers. His brother had cornered him, and every angle made it worse.

Over the years, only two relationships had been serious enough to call official, and even those had happened because his mother pushed the idea that his children needed someone to look after them. One woman had no issue with him having three kids, but he never felt anything for her. The other didn't interest him either, though she made things simple since she never wanted to take on a mother's role. Everyone else had been nothing more than passing moments, nothing that stayed.

"Before anything else, I need to see her in person. Have you even spoken to her about this?"

"Not yet. I'll talk to her later today. I know she'll agree to help us. Thanks, brother. I mean it."

"You'd better step up and act like the kind of father your child deserves. It's time you got your life in order."

"I will. Laura and the baby deserve everything good."

"That's what I expected to hear."

Back when he was with his wife, things had been nothing like this. They married young, just like Harry and Laura, but Daniel had already completed his studies and was working in the family business by then.

From early on, he carried himself with discipline. While others his age chased after games or trips abroad, he spent his time studying languages and attending classes in math and statistics. Responsibility had shaped him long before most people even thought about it.

From a young age, Daniel carried himself with quiet discipline. His conduct stayed proper, his manner stayed reserved, and he followed every expectation set by his family without question. Because of that, his parents rarely stood in his way, and he ended up marrying the girl he loved back in high school while still young.

Life with her had been steady and warm. Where he remained firm and distant at times, she softened him, and together they found a balance that worked. People often saw them as a perfect match. Then their children came along, and the happiness in their home only grew. That was why her death shattered everything he had built.

There was no space for him to break down after that. His children needed him, and so did the family business. With no one else to lean on, he forced himself to keep going. He became the one holding everything together.

During the first year, his sister stepped in to help with the children. Even so, Daniel adapted, just as he always did. He learned how to manage on his own. At times, he stayed firm to a fault, but there was no doubt he cared deeply for them.

"I'll tell you what happens once I speak with Deanna."

"And you're certain she'll say yes?"

"It's Deanna. That's enough."

"That doesn't explain anything."

"That's just who she is. When someone needs her, she shows up. She's that kind of friend."

"I get it..."

"But could I at least ask you for one thing?"

"What now?"

"Try not to be so... intense. You know what I mean. Don't go in there acting all cold and serious. She's a good woman, Daniel, but you might scare her off if you keep that expression."

"That's a ridiculous thing to say."

Despite that, there was some truth behind it. He carried himself like a proper man, but his words often came out too direct, and he didn't always notice it. People around him had even come up with a name, though no one had the nerve to say it in front of him. They called him "Ice-Cold Crusher." In business, that image only grew stronger. He handled matters without hesitation, stayed firm in his principles, and rarely let emotion show. Smiles didn't come easily to him, and when he spoke, he didn't bother softening his words to make others comfortable.

Time was slipping away, and there was no room left for hesitation. Everything depended on this plan coming together. Harry arranged for all of them to meet at his apartment, hoping they could settle the details and build a story that wouldn't fall apart under pressure. With his friend now involved, there was still a slim chance things might work out if luck stayed on their side.

"She already knows about my kids, right?"

"Yeah, I've brought them up before. More than once, I think. Either way, it won't be an issue for her."

"We'll need to set clear boundaries when it comes to them."

Neither of them truly understood what they were stepping into. What started as a simple act would soon tangle their lives in ways they hadn't even considered. The fate of "Mighty Deanna" and "Ice-Cold Crusher" was already shifting, whether they realized it or not. The real challenge wouldn't be the act itself. It would be convincing their parents to accept this sudden marriage without digging too deep.

That evening, Deanna stood in front of the mirror, doing what she could with what she had. A black dress seemed like the safest choice, paired with modest heels that carried a quiet sense of grace. Her wardrobe didn't offer much for making a strong impression, but she wasn't about to show up unprepared. Nerves lingered, though she pushed them aside and held on to a bit of hope before heading out to Harry's place.

Elsewhere, Daniel went for something understated. His clothes leaned toward a conservative style, nothing too formal, yet still presentable. Without realizing it, he adjusted himself for the situation ahead. The thought of meeting someone much younger weighed on him more than he cared to admit. There was a chance she would look at him and see nothing worth staying for.

Harry's earlier comment stayed in his mind. Being less like himself didn't make sense to him. He saw no flaw in the way he lived. His reputation stood firm. His children were well cared for. People respected him. Everything about his life pointed to success and stability. From his perspective, there was no reason any woman would turn him down. Harry had to be exaggerating... didn't he?

Before stepping out, he paused outside Jonathan's room. The child had already fallen asleep. Daniel stepped inside quietly, gathering a few scattered toys from the floor before sitting beside him. For a moment, he simply watched. His thoughts drifted to what his brother's child would have, something Jonathan would never know. The boy had already lost the memory of his mother, and even speaking with him had become a struggle at times. Daniel sat there, unsure of what more he could give his son.

Daniel reached the apartment ahead of everyone else. He had only stepped inside a handful of times over the past few years, yet this visit felt different. Laura's presence showed in the smallest corners of the place, making it obvious the two of them had settled into living there together for a while.

Something about the situation unsettled him. The whole setup pulled him back to those awkward dinners his mother used to arrange, where he had to sit across from strangers and pretend interest. This time, though, no one pushed him into it. What weighed on him was different. For once, he wasn't the one doing the judging. He was the one being measured.

Then the doorbell broke the quiet, and Deanna arrived. The second she stepped inside, Daniel felt the shift. Whatever he expected, it didn't come close to this. Her smile carried across the room with ease, filling the space before she even spoke. Warmth seemed to follow her in, and it settled around everything. Soft waves of caramel-colored hair rested over her shoulders, framing her face as she moved.

Without thinking, Daniel pushed himself to his feet, like his body moved ahead of his thoughts. Deanna walked straight toward him and stopped in front of him, meeting his gaze without hesitation.

"Hi, I'm Deanna. You're Daniel, right?" she asked, holding out her hand with a steady smile.

"It's good to meet you, Deanna. Yeah, I'm Daniel. Harry's brother," he replied, taking her hand. "Glad you could make it."

At that moment, Laura came in with drinks and snacks in hand. She greeted Deanna with ease, and the two women fell into a natural exchange. Even so, a faint tension hovered in the room. Harry, as always, jumped in with his usual stream of chatter, trying to smooth things over before the silence could grow.

This meeting needed to go well. Everything depended on it. In a way, it did work out. Just not in the direction any of them expected.

"So, you're in the same program as Harry and Laura?" Daniel asked, choosing his words with care.

"We actually met in university," said Deanna.

Curiosity crept into Daniel's voice as he continued, "And what field did you choose?"

"I studies classical singing."

A low sound slipped from him. "Mmm..." That tone didn't sit right. It carried something sharp beneath it, and she caught it right away.

Harry's warning echoed in her head. He really did mean it.

She didn't let it slide. "What's that supposed to mean?" said Deanna.

"It doesn't mean anything."

"Come on, you didn't just say 'mmm' for no reason."

"It's nothing... I respect artists, that's all."

Before either of them could push further, Laura stepped in. "Why don't we start eating?" she said, trying to cut the tension before it grew.

Letting Daniel go unchecked would only make things worse. At the same time, Deanna wasn't the type to stay quiet. If they didn't step in, it would turn into something else fast. All they could do was hold things together for as long as they could.

For a while, the meal moved along without trouble. Light conversation filled the table, and the mood settled enough to seem normal.

Then that subject came up, and everything shifted again.

"We don't have much time, so we need to sort this out fast," said Harry. "You don't realize how much this means to us."

Gratitude showed on Laura's face as she spoke. "I really mean it. Thank you so much for doing this."

Daniel didn't ease into it. He went straight to the terms. "While we're married, I'll handle your university costs for that year. It's fair, since you'll be stepping away from your studies."

That caught her off guard. "Wait, stepping away? I'm not stopping school."

"You'll need to. Being married to someone still in university won't reflect well."

"I'm not taking your money."

"This isn't about the money. You're giving something up, and that deserves something in return."

"So that's how you see it. A sacrifice."

Across the table, Harry and Laura shared a look. The tension they tried to manage had slipped.

Her tone sharpened as she continued, "You are aware I have three kids, right?"

"I know."

"Then we need clear rules about how you deal with them."

Turning her head, she glanced at Harry. He met her eyes with a tired expression, already bracing himself for how the rest would go. Quietly, he hoped his friend could stay through the evening without calling everything off. Meanwhile, Daniel carried on like he was finalizing a deal, not stepping into a marriage.

"There are house rules you'll need to follow. They already work, and I'm not changing them."

"What kind of place is that? Sounds like a military camp."

"I expect you to adjust, even if you don't seem interested in what I'm saying."

"It's not that I don't care. It's just hard to take this seriously when you come across so rigid."

"Rigid isn't the word. It's discipline. And while we're at it, you might want to rethink your clothes," he said, motioning toward her knees.

"What is this, a convent?"

"Hey, let's just calm down-" Harry tried to intervene.

But it was already slipping out of control. Every rule Daniel laid out was met with resistance from Deanna. The polite tone he usually kept didn't hold this time.

"If we want this to be convincing, these are basic expectations. You're not exactly the kind of woman I usually choose."

"That's good to know. I get what you're trying to say, but you're talking like this is some business deal."

"I'll speak with my lawyer about a prenup tomorrow. This marriage may not be real, but it has to look real. Everything needs to be accounted for."

"So let me understand this. I follow your rules, I leave university, I study how to deal with your kids, and I even change how I dress. I get the prenup, but everything else?"

"Good. That means we understand each other."

"Understand each other? That's your list, not mine. I've got conditions too."

"Go ahead. Let's hear them."

"Since I can't continue university, I'll set aside one day each week for private singing lessons."

"That's fine. I'll pay for it."

"No need. I already work."

"You'll have to leave that job, so I'll take care of it."

Frustration rose in her chest, but Laura's anxious look held her back for a moment. Drawing in a breath, she steadied herself.

"Alright... if you're handing out money that easily, then I want my own space in your house. A room I can use as a music studio."

"That can be arranged. Anything else?"

"For now, that's enough."

Silence settled over the table, and no one seemed willing to meet another's eyes. Harry and Laura exchanged tense looks, both realizing they had been holding their breath the entire time.

Breaking the quiet, Daniel spoke again. "Tomorrow, I'll talk to our parents. We'll set up a family meeting so they can meet her properly. Laura, I assume you'll help her get used to everything."

"Yeah... alright," responded Harry, glancing at Deanna with quiet apology. In his head, he could already hear everything she'd say about Daniel once they were alone.

Nothing about the man made sense. He spoke without restraint, like everyone around him worked under him and had no choice but to comply.

She couldn't take it anymore. "I'm heading out," said Deanna.

Harry suggested, "I can book you a cab if you want."

Before she could answer, Daniel cut in, "That won't be necessary. I'll take her home."

"Daniel, that might not be the best idea."

"And why wouldn't it be? She'll be my wife soon. There's nothing strange about it. Come on."

Without waiting, he moved toward the door and paused there, expecting her to follow. With a quiet sigh, Deanna said her goodbyes and stepped out after him.

The drive passed in silence. Neither of them spoke as the car moved through the streets until they reached her building.

"So this is where you stay?"

"It is. Thanks for the ride. Goodnight."

That ended it. She stepped out and walked inside without looking back.

For a few moments, he remained in the car, his eyes fixed on the entrance. His thoughts drifted as he sat there.

If she didn't fall in line with what he expected, their story wouldn't hold. No one would buy it. She wasn't someone who bent easily. She spoke her mind, carried herself with ease, and had that warm smile that didn't match the situation at all.

What had he gotten himself into?