August posted a cryptic photo from our dinner on social media, hinting that he had found someone special. Of course, he was only planting the seed, since nobody would truly believe he had met someone important enough to completely change him.

After that, he asked me to visit his office because there were still details we needed to settle, and he thought it would be good for people to see me there.

August worked at his father's company, a massive corporation in the corporate security industry. That was all I knew.

The headquarters was an imposing building in the center of the city, complete with a waterfall at the entrance and the Salvatore name carved into the stone facade, a clear display of the family's arrogance.

The moment I gave my name at reception, they immediately allowed me inside without further questions.

August's office was enormous, with an entire glass wall overlooking the city.

The place radiated money and power.

But according to August himself, it still wasn't enough. He wanted more.

And to get it, he needed to marry.

August greeted me at the office door wearing a perfectly tailored suit. He carried himself like a prince welcoming a subject into his kingdom.

This was the executive version of August, one I had never known before, but it suited him surprisingly well.

I sat in the chair across from him, feeling completely out of place in that environment. At that moment, I lacked the confidence to even exist inside that office.

"There are a few bureaucratic details we need to settle," he said. "I asked a lawyer I trust to prepare a contract. My intention is to protect both of us. The agreement includes a confidentiality clause and the amount you'll receive once the arrangement ends. Of course, the family lawyer will later present a prenuptial agreement with additional rules, but we can deal with that another time."

He handed me the contract.

Everything was becoming more and more serious.

For a moment, I doubted what I was doing.

Only for a moment.

After everything that had happened, I couldn't possibly end up more ruined than I already was.

What I hadn't expected was that I would actually be paid for my role as his wife, and not a small amount either.

August was being generous.

He would pay me a fortune, cover all my expenses, and basically support my entire lifestyle.

It made me feel like I was selling myself.

"You can take it home and read it," he continued. "If you have a lawyer you trust, tell them to contact mine so they can work out the details. Any questions?"

I did have one question.

It had been bothering me the entire time, but I felt embarrassed to ask.

Still, I needed to know before signing the contract.

I needed to understand the limits of our relationship.

August was practically buying me, and I had to know whether he expected something more than a fake marriage.

"I'll read it and let you know later… but I do have one question. As a couple, we'll need to act like one in front of people. I mean… what about intimacy?" I asked awkwardly.

I was an adult woman approaching thirty. I had been married for years, but my ex-husband had been the only man I had ever slept with. Other than him, I had only kissed two guys in my entire life.

Pretending to be involved with someone felt far more difficult than I wanted to admit.

August looked at me and immediately understood what I meant.

"Of course we'll need to hold hands, hug, maybe exchange quick kisses, and possibly something more convincing if necessary. We'll be living in the same house, probably for two or three years. But we don't need to share the same bedroom." He paused before continuing. "Isabelle, I'm not going to ask you to sleep with me out of obligation. At least not because of this arrangement. I enjoy passion and mutual desire. I'm not going to demand that from anyone. Now, if one day we both genuinely want something more, then I don't see why not."

August's pragmatism was something I didn't know how to handle, especially because I had always been emotional and romantic.

But that same romantic side had already ruined my life once before.

"All right," was all I managed to say.

I went home carrying the contract in my hands.

I didn't have the courage to tell Camille, so instead I went back to the same lawyer who had handled my divorce to ask for her opinion.

"Are you serious?" she asked after reading the document.

"Yes," I answered awkwardly.

"Well… from a legal perspective, it's actually a very good contract. It protects both parties. From a human perspective…" She paused. "I'd say this could go very wrong. People always forget feelings can appear in arrangements like this. What happens if that happens?"

"It won't. Don't worry."

She didn't look convinced at all.

"Look, you've already suffered enough, so I'm going to ask you again. Are you sure you want to go through with something like this?"

"I'm absolutely sure."

"Then my advice is simple. Increase the amount." She leaned back in her chair. "We're talking about a wealthy family here. Don't be modest. The guy is asking you to pretend to be his wife for two years. What he's offering isn't enough. And I'm adding an emotional clause. If both parties fall in love, the agreement remains valid. Also, I'm including an infidelity clause. If any cheating scandal involving him becomes public, you'll receive financial compensation."

"All right. Do whatever you think is best. He said I could work out the details directly with his lawyer."

"Perfect. I'll contact him. But Isabelle…" She sighed. "I'm going to ask one more time. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?"

I thought about it. Honestly, the details didn't matter to me.

What mattered was revenge. Every day, it became clearer in my mind.

I would take back what belonged to me. My house. My father's company. Nothing else mattered.

"I'm sure."