The CEO's Accidental Bride

The Contract

The DNA test took 3 days.

The contract took 3 minutes.

"Sign here."

Ethan slid a thick stack of papers across his desk. His office was dark. It was 8 PM and the city lights outside made him look like he was made of shadows.

I hadn’t slept in 3 days. Not since "Mommy."

Mia and Max were asleep in the guest room down the hall. Diana had called Mrs. Chen and told her the twins were staying with their father. My neighbor cried with relief. She thought I was abandoning them.

I wasn’t. I just had no choice.

"What's this?" My voice was hoarse. I hadn’t spoken since the results came back. 99.99% match. Father: Ethan Carter.

"A nanny contract," Ethan said. He wasn’t looking at me. He was typing on his laptop, tie loosened, sleeves rolled up. "Housing, salary, healthcare. For you and the children."

I flipped through the pages. $10,000 a month. A room in the penthouse. Full benefits.

And clause 8.3: Employee agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding the identity of the children's father and the nature of their relationship.

"And this?" I pointed to the last page. It was separate. Pink paper.

Ethan finally looked up. His eyes were tired.

"A marriage contract."

The air left my lungs.

"What?"

"For legal reasons," he said, as he was discussing the weather. "It’s easier for custody. For school forms. For travel. We got married. Paper only. One year."

"One year?"

"After 12 months, we divorced. No strings. You walk away with $2 million and full visitation rights."

I laughed. It came out broken. "You think I can just marry you? Like we’re buying coffee?"

Ethan stood up. He got around the desk and stopped in front of me. He was so close I could smell his cologne again.

"Lila," he said. My name sounded different in his mouth. "Three days ago, my children called you Mommy. They haven’t stopped talking about you. David drew you a picture. Daniel asked if you would read him a story tonight."

He paused.

"I don’t have emotions. I don’t do relationships. But I do what’s best for my children. And right now, what’s best is you."

Tears burned my eyes. "And what about me? What’s best for me?"

"You needed money," he said bluntly. "Now you have it. Your mother’s hospital debt is paid. I handled it this morning."

My knees went weak. "You... what?"

"$87,000. Gone. I don’t want you distracted when you’re with my children."

He was buying me. And the worst part was, I was desperate enough to consider it.

"And if I say no?" I whispered.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "Then I will still fight for full custody. And you will see your children twice a month, under supervision."

The threat was clear.

I looked at the pink paper. Marriage Contract Between Ethan Carter and Lila Adeyemi.

One year. $2 million. My babies every day.

"What happens after one year?" I asked.

"You leave," Ethan said. "With money. And we co-parent."

It was cold. It was business.

But when he said "co-parent," something in his voice cracked. Just a little.

I picked up the pen. My hand was shaking.

"Fine," I whispered. "But I have conditions."

Ethan raised a brow. "Name them."

"1. I’m not sleeping in your room. Separate bedrooms."

"Done."

"2. The kids can call me Lila, not Mommy. Not until... until we figure this out."

"They won’t listen," he said. "But we’ll try."

"3. No dating other people. For the year. For the kids."

A pause. Then, "Agreed."

I signed my name. Lila Adeyemi.

Ethan signed next to me. Ethan Carter.

The moment the pen left the paper, Diana knocked and came in. "The officiant is waiting, Mr. Carter."

"Now?" I stood up too fast. "Tonight?"

"Waiting 12 months defeats the purpose," Ethan said. He offered me his arm. "Shall we, Mrs. Carter?"

The word hit me like a slap. Mrs. Adeyemi.

We walked to the small conference room on the 51st floor. It was empty except for a tired-looking man in a suit and Diana holding two rings. Simple gold bands.

The ceremony took 5 minutes.

"Do you take this man—"

"I do."

"Do you take this woman—"

"I do."

"By the power vested in me— I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Ethan slipped the ring on my finger. It was cold. It fit perfectly.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek for the cameras Diana was taking. "For legal records," he murmured against my skin.

His lips were warm. And for one second, I forgot it was fake.

Then it was over.

"Congratulations," Diana said, handing me a copy of the certificate. "The penthouse is ready. Your things from your apartment will be moved tomorrow."

Ethan walked me to the elevator. The twins were asleep in his office.

"Goodnight, Lila," he said at the elevator doors.

"Goodnight, Mr. Cater."

"Husband," he corrected quietly.

The doors closed.

I rode down 51 floors alone, with a wedding ring on my finger and a contract in my bag.

I had come to Carter Tower for a secretary job.

I was leaving as The CEO's Accidental Bride.

And tomorrow, I had to tell two five-year-olds that I was their stepmom.