You’re too handsome to be alone,” my six-year-old daughter announced in the middle of the executive hallway, staring straight at the coldest billionaire in Manhattan. “I think you should be my daddy.” Every person around us froze, while I stood there absolutely certain my career had just ended.

I stared at the crimson skull on the envelope, completely unable to process his words. "My husband is dead," I insisted, my voice trembling uncontrollably. "I identified his belongings at the police station after the bridge accident." Adrian leaned against the edge of his desk, crossing his strong arms over his chest. "You identified a burned watch and a melted wedding ring," Adrian corrected coldly. "David faked his death to escape the Volkov syndicate, leaving you to inherit his massive debts." Tears of absolute betrayal blurred my vision as the horrifying reality set in. The man I had grieved for had intentionally abandoned Mia and me to face a ruthless criminal empire. "Why are you telling me this?" I asked, wiping my eyes defensively. "Because the Volkov syndicate has finally tracked him back to Manhattan," Adrian explained. "They know he will eventually reach out to his family, which means you and Mia are now targets." I pulled my daughter closer to my chest, terrified of the invisible danger surrounding us. "I do not have fifty million dollars, Adrian." "Then it is incredibly fortunate that I do," he replied smoothly. He walked toward me, his tall frame entirely dominating the room. "My grandfather's will stipulates that I must be married by my thirty-seventh birthday to inherit the majority shares of Kane Global." "That birthday is exactly three weeks away." I looked at him in absolute shock as the pieces clicked together. "You want a fake marriage," I breathed out. "I will pay off David's debt to the Volkovs and provide you with twenty-four-hour security," Adrian offered. "In exchange, you will wear my ring, smile for the cameras, and secure my empire." It was a deeply dangerous bargain with a man I barely knew. But looking down at Mia's innocent face, I knew I had absolutely no other choice. "I will do it," I said firmly, meeting his intense gaze. Adrian's lip curved into a faint, victorious smile. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a velvet box containing a massive diamond ring. "Then put this on, because we are announcing our engagement to the press in ten minutes." I slipped the cold diamond onto my finger, feeling like I had just sold my soul. We walked out of the office together, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. But as we stepped into the private elevator, my phone vibrated with an unknown text message. I glanced at the screen and felt all the air leave my lungs. It was a photograph of Mia sitting in my office just an hour ago, taken from inside the building.