The CEO's Accidental Bride

The First Public Appearance

The next morning, Lila woke up on a single bed in a dressing room.

It was bigger than her old bedroom, but it still felt lonely.

A soft knock came on the door.

“Mama?” It was Daniel.

Lila opened the door and both twins immediately hugged her legs. They were already dressed in cute little outfits a housekeeper had laid out.

“Mr. Ethan said we have to get ready,” David said. “There’s a party.”

Lila’s stomach twisted. “A party?”

Before she could ask more, the bedroom door opened.

Ethan walked in. He was in a black suit. No tie. Sleeves rolled up. He looked like he owned the entire city.

Which he probably did.

“Get ready,” he said to Lila. His eyes scanned her — she was still in her old dress from yesterday. “The housekeeper will bring you something. We leave in 2 hours.”

“Where are we going?” Lila asked.

“Company gala,” Ethan said. “Board members. Press. My ex-fiancée will be there.”

He looked at the twins. “And you two are coming. To show the court we’re a family.”

Lila nodded. She understood now. This was part of the contract. Act like a wife. In public.

Two hours later, Lila stared at herself in the mirror and didn’t recognize the woman looking back.

The housekeeper had brought her a navy blue dress. It fit perfectly. Hair done. Light makeup. She looked... expensive.

“Mama, you’re so pretty!” Daniel clapped.

Lila smiled, but her hands were shaking.

Ethan knocked once and entered. His eyes stopped on her and for a second, his mask slipped.

“You look... fine,” he said, then cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

The car ride was silent. The twins sat between them, holding both their hands.

The gala was in a massive hotel in Port Harcourt. Cameras. Reporters. CEO’s in tuxedos.

Ethan got out first, then opened Lila’s door. He offered her his arm.

“Smile,” he whispered. “And call me Ethan. Not Mr. Carter.”

Lila hooked her arm through his. “Yes... Ethan.”

The second they stepped inside, people turned.

“Is that Ethan Carter? With a woman?”

“Who is she?”

“Where’s his ex?”

Lila kept her smile, even though she wanted to run.

Ethan introduced her as “My wife, Lila.” Again and again. To investors. To reporters. To his board.

Each time he said “wife,” Lila felt like she was going to faint.

Then she saw her.

A tall woman in a red dress. Perfect hair. Perfect smile. And pure hate in her eyes.

“Ethan,” the woman purred, walking over. “So this is the new nanny?”

The room went quiet.

Ethan’s arm tightened around Lila’s waist. “This is my wife, Victoria. Watch your mouth.”

Victoria laughed. “Wife? You married the nanny in 24 hours? Please.” She looked Lila up and down. “She doesn’t even look like she belongs here.”

Lila felt Daniel’s small hand squeeze hers.

Before Lila could answer, Ethan stepped forward.

“She belongs with me,” Ethan said. His voice was cold. Final. “And with our children.”

He gestured and David and Daniel ran to him, hugging his legs.

Camera flashes went off everywhere.

Victoria’s face fell. “Children? You’re using them too?”

Ethan didn’t answer. He just looked down at Lila.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, so only she could hear.

Lila nodded, even though her heart was racing. No one had ever defended her like that before.

The rest of the night was a blur. Dinner. Speeches. More introductions as “Mrs. Carter.”

On the way home, the twins fell asleep in the backseat.

Ethan drove in silence. Then finally:

“You did good,” he said.

“Thank you,” Lila whispered. “For... for what you said back there.”

Ethan glanced at her. “It’s in the contract. We protect each other in public.”

Right. The contract.

They got home at midnight. Ethan carried both sleeping twins to his room.

Lila followed to say goodnight.

As she turned to leave for the dressing room, Ethan’s voice stopped her.

“Lila.”

She turned.

He was standing by the bed, looking at the twins. Then at her.

“Tomorrow,” he said. “There’s another event. And the day after that. We have to keep this up until the court date.”

Lila nodded. “I understand.”

She walked to the dressing room door and closed it behind her.

But she didn’t sleep.

Because all she could think about was the way Ethan looked at her when he said, “My wife.”

Like he almost meant it.

And the way Victoria looked at her.

Like she was a problem that needed to be removed.

Lila pulled the blanket over her head.

This fake marriage was getting dangerous.