FORCED TO MARRY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE IN 9 DAYS

### CHAPTER 3: MEET THE FATHER

"You're joking."

Elena nearly dropped the wine glass.

Caspian Sterling stood by the fireplace in their penthouse, looking infuriatingly calm in a black sweater, as if he hadn't just ruined her entire evening.

"My father is coming for dinner," he repeated. "Tonight. 8 PM."

"Your _father_? Rowen Sterling? THE Rowen Sterling who built Sterling Industries from nothing and thinks emotions are a liability? THAT father?"

"The one and only."

Elena stared at him. "Caspian, we have a contract. Article 4: No family involvement unless absolutely necessary. We are _pretending_ to love each other, remember? Your father will see through us in five minutes."

Caspian walked to her, his hands sliding into his pockets. That was his tell - when he was nervous, he hid his hands.

"He's threatening to remove me as CEO if he thinks this marriage is fake," he said low. "The board needs to see stability. He needs to see his son... in love. So tonight, you are not just my wife on paper. You are obsessed with me. Understood?"

She swallowed. "Obsessed. Right. I can do obsessed."

He leaned down, his mouth close to her ear. "Good. Because he's very good at spotting liars, Elena."

At exactly 8:00 PM, the elevator opened.

Rowen Sterling was exactly what she expected and worse. Tall like his son, but silver-haired, with eyes like cold steel. Expensive suit. No smile.

"So you're the girl," he said, instead of hello.

Elena forced her best smile and slipped her hand into Caspian's. His fingers tightened around hers instantly.

"Mr. Sterling, it's such an honor to finally meet you. Caspian talks about you all the time," she said sweetly.

Rowen raised an eyebrow at his son. "Does he?"

"He worships you," Elena added, laying it on thick, leaning her head on Caspian's shoulder. "Honestly, it's a little annoying how much he wants to be just like you."

Caspian choked. Rowen almost - _almost_ - smiled.

Dinner was torture. Rowen interrogated her about her family, her degree, her intentions. Every answer was a trap. Caspian played his part flawlessly - his arm around her chair, his thumb stroking her bare shoulder, calling her "my love" with a straight face.

And Elena played hers. She laughed at his jokes. She touched his jaw.

It was after dinner that Rowen finally went for the kill.

"This marriage," he said bluntly. "It's fast. Six weeks ago my son was single. Now he's married. You must understand why I find that... convenient."

The room went dead silent.

Elena felt Caspian tense beside her. This was it.

Then Caspian did something she didn't expect.

He stood up, pulled Elena up with him, and looked his father dead in the eye.

"You're right, father. It was fast," he said, his voice low and rough. "Because when you know, you know. And I couldn't wait another second to make her mine."

Before Elena could process his words, his hand was on her waist, yanking her against him.

"Caspian, what are you —"

He kissed her.

Not a polite, husbandly peck. It was desperate. Months of pretend-hating each other pouring out at once. His other hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head back, his mouth claiming hers like he finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Elena gasped - and then she melted. She forgot Rowen was even there. Her hands fisted in his sweater, kissing him back with all the anger and longing she had been suppressing since the day they signed that contract.

When they finally broke apart, foreheads touching, both breathing hard, Elena's lipstick was completely smeared across Caspian's mouth.

They turned.

Rowen Sterling - the ruthless legend who had fired CEOs without blinking - was just standing there. Brandy glass frozen halfway to his mouth. Eyes wide. Completely speechless.

Finally, Rowen cleared his throat. He set his glass down very carefully.

"Well," he said, his voice hoarse. "That... that answers my question."

He grabbed his coat and headed for the elevator. But at the door, he stopped.

"Caspian," he said without turning around. "A word. Alone. Tomorrow morning. 7 AM. My office. It's about your wife's mother."

The elevator doors closed.

Elena's blood ran cold. "My mother? What about my mother?"

Caspian's face went white. He had never looked so scared.