The Billionaire's Fake Wife

Emerald stared at the letter in her trembling hands. FINAL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE. Her heart sank. She read the words again, hoping they would somehow change. They didn't. The house she had grown up in—the only place that still held memories of her parents, her childhood, and every difficult year her family had survived—was about to be taken from them. “We have thirty days.” Her voice barely came out. Thirty days to find money she didn't have. Thirty days to save the only home her family had left. Emerald lowered the letter and closed her eyes. She had already tried everything. She had taken extra shifts. She had borrowed from friends. She had sold the few valuable things she owned. Nothing was enough. Her phone suddenly rang. It was her younger brother. She answered immediately. “Emerald?” “What's wrong?” There was silence on the other end. Then Noah sighed. “Mom asked me if we're going to lose the house.” Emerald's chest tightened. “What did you tell her?” “That you would fix it.” She swallowed. Of course he believed that. Everyone did. Because Emerald had always been the one who fixed things. Even when she was falling apart herself. “I'll handle it,” she whispered. “You promise?” Emerald looked at the foreclosure notice again. “I promise.” The call ended. She slowly lowered the phone. For the first time, Emerald wasn't sure she could keep that promise. --- Across the city, inside a luxurious penthouse overlooking the skyline, Chris Kingsley sat behind a massive glass desk. His expression was unreadable. His grandfather's lawyer sat across from him, holding a folder. “You know the condition.” Chris leaned back. “I know.” “You have until your thirty-second birthday.” Chris's jaw tightened. “And if I don't marry?” “You lose control of the family trust.” That got his attention. The Kingsley empire was worth billions. Chris had spent years building his own reputation within the company, but his grandfather had made one final condition before transferring full control of the family assets. Marriage. Chris hated the idea. He didn't need a wife. He certainly didn't need someone following him around pretending to love him. “I won't marry some woman just because my family demands it.” The lawyer adjusted his glasses. “Then find someone who understands it's a business arrangement.” Chris went silent. A business arrangement. For the first time, the idea didn't sound completely impossible. His eyes fell on the document in front of him. One year. A legal marriage. No emotions. No complications. Then divorce. Simple. Or so he thought. --- The next morning, Emerald walked into a luxury hotel for a job interview. She had applied for dozens of positions. This one paid more than anything she had ever earned. If she got it, perhaps she could finally save the house. She stepped into the elevator, clutching her folder against her chest. The doors were almost closed when a man's hand stopped them. A tall man stepped inside. Black suit. Expensive watch. Cold expression. Emerald immediately moved aside. She didn't recognize him. But everyone else in the lobby seemed to. The moment he entered, people straightened. Whispers followed him. “That's Chris Kingsley.” Emerald glanced at him. The billionaire. The elevator doors closed. Neither spoke. Then Chris's phone rang. “Yes?” He listened for a few seconds. His expression darkened. “Find me someone suitable.” Emerald accidentally looked at him. Chris noticed. Their eyes met. For a strange second, neither looked away. Then Emerald quickly turned her attention to the elevator doors. She had no idea that the man standing beside her was about to become the answer to her biggest problem. And Chris had no idea that the woman beside him was the woman who would eventually become his greatest weakness. The elevator reached the top floor. The doors opened. Chris stepped out. Then he stopped. He turned back toward Emerald. “You're here for the position?” Emerald blinked. “Yes.” His gaze moved to the folder in her hands. “What's your name?” “Emerald.” Something unreadable crossed his face. “Emerald…” He repeated her name quietly. Then he walked away. She watched him disappear down the hallway. She had no idea why the billionaire had asked her name. She certainly didn't know that, only hours later, Chris Kingsley would make her an offer that would change both their lives. An offer to become his wife.