Chapter 2 The Shattered Vow (cond)

I’m listening," Gabriel said, his heart doing a strange, unfamiliar somersault.

"I need a husband," Pearl said, sliding her business card across the bar. "For one year. I’ll provide the house, the car, a monthly allowance, and a clothes budget. You just have to show up, sign the papers, and pretend to love me when the cameras are on. No strings, no romance, and definitely no feelings. Just a business arrangement."

Gabriel looked at the card—Pearl Lawrence, CEO. He knew her name. He knew her company. He also knew that he was supposed to be in a board meeting at that very moment, deciding the fate of a multi-billion dollar merger.

But as he looked at Pearl’s defiant, beautiful face, he realized he didn't want to be in a boardroom.

When do we start?" Gabriel asked.

Pearl felt a surge of relief. "Tomorrow morning. 8:00 AM at the registry office. Don't be late... Gabriel?"

"Gabriel Martins," he lied smoothly, flashing a smile that, for the first time in years, was entirely genuine.

Pearl nodded, stood up, and walked out into the rain. She didn't see Gabriel pull a sleek, encrypted phone from his pocket the moment the door closed.

"Marcus," Gabriel said into the phone, his voice shifting into the tone of a man who ruled empires. "Cancel the merger. And tell the tailor I need

a 'modest' suit. I’m getting married tomorrow.