MELISSA’S POV
“Marco, please… this is messing with my sanity,” I said, my voice breaking, though I tried to keep it steady.
He sighed, rubbing his temple the way he always did when I pressed too hard. “Melissa, this is so unprofessional, and still don’t forget that your career is where it is because of this fake dating contract and you know it.”
“I agree,” I said quickly, “but don’t forget that winning—or rather, bringing the tournament home for England—was what gave me visibility in the first place. That visibility was the reason you even reached out to me.”
Marco leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. His eyes softened for a moment but hardened again almost immediately. “Yes, but Melissa, this fake dating contract—” he hesitated, lowering his voice as if the words themselves wer
