I froze. The name hit me like cold water. Hans Continental. The words echoed in my mind. I heard rumors about him before. He’s the man every parent would want to marry their daughter to. Tall, handsome, and lots of women were lining up for him. Yet he chose me. Hans is someone who had never once crossed my path, yet somehow already owned my future. “He’s the ideal match,” my mother added smoothly, as if she were doing all of this for me. “His family’s resources will help our company to reach more heights.” Mom added, “So, you must marry him.” My fingers curled into my lap, nails digging into my skin. Necessary. That’s what she says. Life must have been so cruel that it continuously shows me that my parents don’t love me. They only love the fact that I’m beneficial to them. It hu

