Chapter 1

The day we went to the County Clerk's Office to get our marriage license, my boyfriend Jason walked out on me.

All because his intern secretary Alice had her thesis defense that day, and she'd apparently be too nervous without him there.

"Wendy, we'll come back tomorrow. Today's defense determines Alice's entire future."

He said it like it was nothing, already turning to leave.

Ever since Alice joined the company, Jason had abandoned me for her time and time again.

And now, even our marriage application had to be postponed for that girl.

My nails dug deep into my palms as I called after him.

"Jason, if you walk out that door today, we're done."

His face twisted with irritation. "Wendy, how old are you? Stop throwing tantrums like a child."

"We can apply for a marriage license any day. But if I don't show up today, Alice's future is ruined."

"Have you forgotten how hard it was for you when nobody had your back? I'm doing this for the version of you she reminds me of!"

"Can you please stop being so petty with a young girl?"

I watched his figure disappear through the glass doors. Then I pulled out my phone and dialed my father.

"Dad, I'll marry Leon."

…

Less than half an hour later, Leon's black Lincoln pulled up outside.

He was the only son of my father's business partner—the match our families had chosen for an arranged marriage.

We resubmitted the application and held a brief, solemn ceremony of vows.

Before we exchanged our declarations, Leon opened a red velvet box and held it out to me. The Graff ring was breathtaking—dozens of smaller diamonds clustered around a brilliant yellow center stone that caught the light like captured fire.

I instinctively gripped the fabric of my dress.

Leon's deep, resonant voice reached my ear. "I imagine you probably didn't have time to prepare. But marriage deserves at least some ceremony. I picked this up on the way over—if you don't care for the style, we can fly to Paris in a few days and have one custom-made."

I shook my head, my eyes stinging. "No, it's perfect. Thank you. I love it."

I slipped the cheap silver ring I'd worn for eight years off my finger and dropped it into the trash. Then I picked up the simple platinum band resting beside that lavish diamond, and slowly slid it onto Leon's ring finger.

Twenty minutes later, I was legally Leon's wife.

Stepping outside, the sunlight was almost blinding. The sycamores rustled in the breeze, their leaves whispering.

Leon turned to look at me. "I've already had my butler transfer the nearest villa into your name. The gate code is today's date. You can move in whenever you'd like."

I nodded. "I only took a half day off. I'll go back to the apartment tonight to pack, then move over."

Leon smiled and accepted my arrangement without argument.

He drove me to the Westbrook Group headquarters. After the car came to a stop, he reached into the back seat and handed me an elegantly wrapped pastry box.

"The housekeeper made Opéra cake. Share it with your colleagues."

I stared at the box, momentarily dazed.

In eight years with Jason, we'd kept our relationship a secret.

When the company was just starting out, he said he couldn't guarantee me a future yet—we'd go public once things stabilized. During the expansion phase, he said it was the critical sprint to IPO—he'd marry me after the listing. After the company successfully went public, he pulled rank as CEO, citing the company's policy against office romances—he had to lead by example, and we'd announce things after the wedding.

Until today, everyone in the company only knew I had a boyfriend. Not a single person knew that my boyfriend was the CEO himself.

But in that moment, I finally understood: some things were never mine to begin with.

"If it's inconvenient for you…"

The second before Leon could pull the pastry box back, I caught the edge of the ribbon and looked up with a small smile.

"It's not inconvenient at all. I love it."

"Good. I'll pick you up after work tonight."

"Okay."

I watched his car merge into the bustling flow of New York traffic, then turned and walked into the office tower.

A Microsoft Teams notification popped up immediately—a message tagging me, from Jason.

@Wendy: *Wendy, bring the complete assessment report for the wetland park project to my office in five minutes.*

The wetland park project had only been presented to the board yesterday. The next scheduled review wasn't for another two weeks.

Several subordinates from different departments messaged me privately, asking if there was some major crisis with the project.

After reassuring them, I gathered the files and headed straight for the top floor.

"Jason, here are the documents for the wetland park project. Which section needs your review?"

Jason pressed his fingers against his temples. "Are you still throwing a fit about this morning?"

"Jason, if this is about work, please give me your instructions. If it's personal, I have a full plate to get back to."

I turned to leave, but Jason stepped forward and blocked my path.

"What happened this morning was my fault. As soon as I'm back from this business trip, we'll get married. You can start planning our wedding in the meantime."

This morning it was *wait until tomorrow.* Now it was *wait until after his trip.*

For Jason, everything on his to-do list that involved me could be indefinitely postponed.

And all I ever got in return was one delay after another.

"Jason, do you honestly believe I'll just stand in place forever, waiting for you?"

Jason's brow furrowed, his expression dripping with impatience. "Wendy, I've already conceded and agreed to marry you. Don't push it!"

"Push it? Fine—then let me push it one last time. I've already gotten mar—"

A knock at the door cut me off. Alice walked in wearing a Chanel dress, files in her arms.

"Jason, here's the cross-border contract that needs your urgent signature."

The instant Jason looked at her, the coldness in his eyes melted away, replaced by a rare softness. "Perfect timing—Wendy's here too. You two can do the handoff for the wetland park project right now."

My head snapped up. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What did you just say? Handoff?"