The hotel suite smelled of leather and expensive cologne.
Everything about Damien Cole's world felt cold, controlled—like him.
"Six months," he said, standing by the window, Lagos lights glowing behind him. "You'll attend events with me. Smile when required. Play the role perfectly."
I folded my arms. "And after that?"
"You walk away with your money," he replied without turning. "No contact. No memories."
No emotions, he didn't say—but it was implied.
The lawyer placed another document on the table. Thicker this time. Rules. Boundaries. Penalties.
My eyes skimmed through the pages until one line made my chest tighten.
No falling in love.
I scoffed. "Trust me, Mr. Cole. Loving you isn't part of the plan."
For the first time, he looked at me.
His gaze was sharp, unreadable—like a man who had never been told no and never expected to be loved either.
"Good," he said quietly. "Because people who fall in love with me don't survive it."
A warning… or a challenge?
He stepped closer, his presence heavy, intimidating. "From tonight," he added calmly, "you belong in my world."
A chill ran through me.
"And after six months?" I asked again.
His lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.
"After six months, we pretend this never happened."
I believed him.
I didn't know that pretending to love him would be easy.
Pretending not to…
would destroy me.