Nora's POV
How soon can I move into the penthouse?
The words leave my mouth before my brain catches up. Did I seriously just agree to this insanity?
Dominic's smile is sharp and victorious. Tonight
Tonight? My voice cracks. I have a lease, belongings, I can't just
Your landlord is evicting you in thirty days anyway. He pulls out his phone, types something. I'll have movers pack your apartment this afternoon. You'll be settled by dinner.
You can't just
I can. I will. He looks up, eyes gleaming. Welcome to being married to a billionaire, Mrs. Ashford. We move fast.
Mrs. Ashford. The name sounds foreign, dangerous. Like wearing someone else's skin.
What about Marcus? My hands shake. He saw us together. He's going to know something's wrong.
Let him know. Dominic's voice turns cold. Let him wonder. Let him panic. Panicked people make mistakes.
He'll come after me.
He'll try. Dominic leans back, completely relaxed. And he'll fail. The moment you step into my world, you're untouchable. My lawyers. My security. My power. He pauses. No one touches what's mine.
The possessiveness in his voice sends shivers down my spine. Wrong shivers. The kind that make you forget this is pretend.
I'm not yours, I say firmly. This is business.
Of course. But his smile says otherwise. Strictly business.
My phone buzzes again. I don't want to look, but I can't help it.
Marcus: Answer me, Nora. Now.
My throat tightens. Even through text, his voice makes me feel small. Worthless. All those months of him telling me I was crazy, paranoid, making things up
Dominic plucks the phone from my hands.
Hey!
He reads the message, jaw tightening. His fingers move across the screen, typing fast.
What are you doing? Panic floods through me. Don't answer him!
Too late. He hands the phone back.
I read his response with horror: This is Dominic Ashford. Nora is unavailable. All future communication goes through me. Have a wonderful day.
Are you insane? I nearly scream. You just poked the bear!
Good. I want him angry. Dominic's eyes are ice. Angry people get sloppy.
Angry people also get violent!
Then it's fortunate you'll have twenty-four-hour security. He knocks on the partition. The driver pulls smoothly into traffic. We're going to my office. You need to understand exactly what you're agreeing to.
I already agreed.
No. You made an emotional decision based on fear and desperation. His gaze softens slightly. I need you to make an informed one.
Twenty minutes later, we're stepping off a private elevator into a massive office. Glass walls. Stunning views. Everything screams money and power.
A man rushes over—Asian, friendly face, warm smile. Complete opposite of Dominic's cold intensity.
Boss, your two o'clock is— He stops, staring at me. Who's this?
James Wu, meet my wife, Nora Chen.
James's jaw drops. Your what?
Wife. We got married this morning.
You married what? James looks between us like we've both lost our minds. Is this a joke?
Completely serious. Dominic doesn't even blink. Cancel my afternoon meetings. Nora and I need privacy.
James opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again. Right. Privacy. For your... wife. He backs toward the door, still staring. I'll just... yeah.
The door closes.
Silence fills the massive office.
Your COO seems nice, I say weakly.
James is loyal. Discreet. He'll keep this quiet. Dominic moves to his desk, pulls out a thick folder. Sit.
I sit. He slides the folder across to me.
Inside are photos. Financial records. Evidence.
This is everything I have on Marcus, Dominic says. Eighteen months of embezzlement. Three point seven million stolen so far. Offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. Shell companies in Delaware.
My hands shake as I flip through pages. This is... this is everything I've been searching for.
Not everything. It's not enough for criminal prosecution. His lawyers would argue reasonable doubt. We need more.
Like what?
Direct evidence. Communications showing intent. Proof he's working with someone inside the company. Dominic's jaw tightens. I know he has a partner. Someone feeding him information, helping him cover tracks.
Who?
If I knew, they'd already be gone. He sits on the edge of his desk, looking down at me. That's where you come in. You know Marcus. His patterns. His weaknesses.
I think about the man I almost married. Charming. Manipulative. Always one step ahead.
He trusts people who worship him, I say slowly. People who make him feel powerful. He'll confide in someone who strokes his ego.
Then we find that person.
How?
Dominic's smile turns predatory. By making him desperate enough to reach out to his partner. And the best way to make Marcus desperate?
Understanding crashes over me. Make him think he's losing control.
Exactly. Our sudden marriage will eat at him. He'll wonder what you've told me. What I know. He'll panic, reach out for help. Dominic leans closer. And when he does, we'll be watching.
It's brilliant. Terrifying, but brilliant.
What if this doesn't work? I whisper. What if he figures out what we're doing?
He won't.
But if he does
Then I'll protect you. His voice is iron. That's the deal, Nora. You play my wife. I keep you safe. No matter what.
The conviction in his eyes makes something warm unfurl in my chest. Dangerous. Stupid.
This is business, I remind myself. Nothing more.
My phone rings. Unknown number.
I answer before thinking. Hello?
Nora Chen? A woman's voice. Professional. Cold. This is Victoria Ashford-Kent, Dominic's cousin and VP of Ashford Industries.
My blood chills. How did you get this number?
I get whatever I want. Her laugh is like broken glass. I heard about your little wedding. Congratulations. I'm calling to welcome you to the family.
Something in her voice makes my skin crawl.
Thanks, I say carefully.
We should have lunch. Tomorrow. Just us girls. The threat underneath her friendly tone is crystal clear. I have so much to tell you about your new husband. Things you deserve to know before you make a terrible mistake.
She hangs up.
I look at Dominic, fear coursing through me.
That was your cousin. She wants to meet tomorrow.
His expression turns to stone. What did she say?
That she has things to tell me about you. Things I deserve to know.
For the first time since I met him, Dominic looks genuinely worried.
Don't go.
Why? What is she going to tell me?
He's silent for a long, terrible moment.
The truth about how my parents died. And why everyone in this company thinks I'm responsible for killing them.