I turned her words over in my head.I knew far too well the effect of abandonment in a child’s life.And causing her daughter any additional stress was not in my game plan.There had to be a way to pull this offwithoutdisrupting Mia’s life.
“That makes sense,” I finally said.“I don’t want to hurt her.Or you.”
“How long does this whole charade need to go on?”Clara asked, tipping her head.
"The inheritance specifies marriage before December 31.So we could marry any time before that and submit for the inheritance."I paused, realizing I hadn't thought this far ahead."It’s April now, let’s play it safe and plan to stay married through the end of the year.”
She nibbled on her lip, her gaze drifting toward the windows."And what happens if we don’t convince the investigators?Do I need to give all that money back to you?”
“No.Anything I give you is yours.I’m not expecting anything back.You’d be performing a job, so to speak, and this is your payment for that job.But you won’t be receiving all the money upfront.We can plan out monthly disbursements or something.”
She nodded, her throat bobbing.“And if the investigators decide we’re legit and you get all the money…what happens then?"
"Then we get divorced, we go our separate ways, and you keep everything I've given you.And then I’d give you the bonus 500k for a job well done.”
Clara was quiet for several moments as she contemplated the city.I could practically see her weighing the options.This was a doozy of an offer.And from my perspective, there weren’t too many downsides when it came to her end of the deal.
"It’s too crazy," she said finally.
"But?"
"But..."She looked at me, and I could see the exact moment when desperation overrode caution."But fuck, a million dollars would change my life.And Mia’s life."
"Mia deserves stability and a mother who doesn't have to go back to a shitty ex-employer who fired her for getting groped by a disgusting excuse of a human."
Clara’s throat flushed and she offered me a small smile.She picked at a cuticle for a moment before saying, "Why do you think you can trust me?This is a huge ask.The wrong person could ruin everything.Last time, I lied to you."
The mere fact that she’d brought it up was notable.Made her seem trustworthy, almost.Though I didn’t trust anyone fully.Least of all her."You were desperate then, too.You did what made sense to you.”I leaned forward, holding her gaze."Your daughter is my surety, Clara, and I think you know that too.Why would you fuck this up for me, when it would fuck everything up for her?"
She went quiet again, and I could see her internal battle playing out across her face.
“I can’t move in with you.I just can’t,” she blurted.“I can’t have Mia getting attached to you.It—” Her voice gave out and she shook her head.
“I’m not sure how we’d convince investigators that we’re in love when we live separately, especially after we’re married,” I replied.
“Don’t you billionaires have multiple residences?”she asked.“What would be so different about this?”
“So you want a part-time arrangement,” I said slowly, disappointment creeping through me.
"Yeah.Or…I don’t know.I need to think about this," she said finally.
I nodded, feeling a lot like I’d both secured and ruined the deal.“I do too.I’ll need to figure out if a part-time arrangement could ever satisfy the requirements.”I pulled out my business card, writing my personal cell number on the back."Text me so I have your number.And we can go from there."
She took the card, her fingers brushing mine briefly.Even that small contact sent electricity shooting through me, reminding me of that connection that hadn’t just sizzled, but exploded, between us when we’d first met.
She nodded, standing up."I should go.I need to pick up Mia."
"Marco will take you wherever you need to go."
As I watched her gather her things, I absorbed every angle of her.She was beautiful—no, gorgeous.Soft curves, thick hair I still wanted to run my fingers through, and hazel eyes that yanked at my attention whenever they looked my way.
I wanted her to say yes for business reasons, but a deep part of me was terrified that she’d agree.Even though this arrangement was the most accessible one for now.
She headed for the door but stopped halfway, suddenly turning to me.“I have just one more question.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Why didn’t you ask your assistant?”She jerked her thumb, motioning toward the door.“She looks young and pretty and, I don’t know, close to you.Why me, the one-night stand who’s lost control of her life?”
