His bride for a night

Chapter 1

The lights of downtown Chicago glittered against the cold November sky as black luxury cars lined the entrance of the historic Harrington Hotel. Inside, crystal chandeliers sparkled above hundreds of elegantly dressed guests gathered for what society called the wedding of the year.

But upstairs, in the bridal suite, the bride had disappeared."She's gone!"

Panic spread through the Harrington family like wildfire.Billionaire hotel magnate Richard Harrington stood frozen, his jaw tight with anger. Reporters were already outside. Investors, politicians, and business partners filled the ballroom downstairs. If the wedding was canceled, tomorrow's headlines would destroy not only his family's reputation but also a billion-dollar merger.There has to be another way," Richard muttered.

Across town, Emma Carter,

a twenty-four-year-old waitress struggling to pay her nursing school tuition, hurried through the rain after finishing a double shift at a small restaurant.

She had no idea that her life was about to change forever.Emma was waiting at a bus stop when a sleek black SUV pulled up beside her.A man in an expensive suit stepped out.

"Miss Emma Carter?"

She replied. "Yes?"

"My employer would like to speak with you."

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"You once saved his mother during a medical emergency two years ago."oh!! she exclaimed

Emma remembered immediately. An elderly woman had collapsed in the diner, and she'd performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

"You know Mrs. Harrington?"

The man nodded."Please come with me."Curiosity overcame me .Twenty minutes later, Emma found herself standing inside one of Chicago's most luxurious penthouses.Richard Harrington turned toward her. "I owe you my mother's life."

Emma smiled politely.

"You don't owe me anything. I just helped." I need another favor.She listened,"I need a bride."

Emma exclaimed .what!!!

The wedding is in less than two days. Then shouldn't you be talking to the bride?" "She ran away."

Silence filled the room. Richard continued calmly. The marriage only needs to last one night.Tomorrow morning it will be quietly annulled." Emma stared at him as though he'd lost his mind."You want him to marry a complete stranger?"she asked confusedly, I will pay you one million dollars."Her heart nearly stopped.

One million dollars would erase her student loans, pay for her mother's medical treatments, and give her younger brother a chance to attend college. Still at that I can't marry someone for money." Richard sighed."I understand".

.He reached for the door.Before Emma could leave, an older woman entered the room.

Mrs. Eleanor Harrington.The same woman Emma had once saved.She smiled warmly."You haven't changed."

Emma hugged her instinctively."I've prayed I'd see you again."Mrs Eleanor took both of Emma's hands."My grandson isn't a bad man.Grandson!!

Emma exclaimed.mrs Eleanor smiled ,he is my grandson.My son raised him to hide every emotion. I trusts no one because everyone wants something from the Harrington name."

Emma looked confused. "I'm not asking you to fall in love with him."Mrs Eleanor said softly. "I'm only asking you to save him from public humiliation."

Emma hesitated.Then she whispered, "One night?"

Richard nodded. "One night."

She slowly agreed.

Meanwhile, At St. Matthew's Cathedral .Ethan Harrington, thirty-two, CEO of Harrington Hotels, adjusted his tuxedo with an expression colder than winter itself.He had never wanted this arranged marriage.His father insisted it would strengthen the company. Love had never entered the conversation.When the church doors opened, Ethan expected to see the woman he'd reluctantly agreed to marry.

Instead, A stranger walked down the aisle.She wore the same designer wedding gown.The same veil. But she had kind brown eyes instead of icy blue ones.Ethan frowned.Who was she?

Emma's hands trembled as she approached the altar. Their eyes met for the first time. Neither of them wanted this wedding.

Neither of them expected that a marriage meant to last only one night would become the beginning of the greatest love story of their lives.