The Wife He Lost Too Late

Chapter 1

It wasn't until I returned to Kingswell from studying in Auroria at 24 that I found out my parents had already arranged a marriage of convenience for me.

My intended was Alexander Grant, the CEO of the Grant Group, who happened to be a full eight years older than me.

Naturally, I wasn't going along with it.

So, for our first meeting, I had heard he was a stickler for rules and a total neat freak. I showed up deliberately dressed in ripped jeans and a worn leather jacket, wearing my baseball cap backward with a row of silver studs along my cartilage.

My father's face instantly darkened. As my mother was about to apologize on my behalf, Alexander simply raised a hand calmly, his voice low and steady. "This marriage is already a compromise for you, Miss Carter. I should be the one apologizing."

I was taken aback and looked up. He was dressed in a sharply tailored black suit. Though his demeanor was cool, his gray-blue eyes held no trace of mockery.

For our second meeting, I'd heard he didn't drink at all and hated loud places. I deliberately chose a members-only nightclub in Clairmont. I danced with abandon in front of him, then held out a glass of strong bourbon to his lips.

I expected him to scowl and leave, but instead, he just looked down at me for a few seconds before actually taking a sip straight from my hand. Then he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed the sweat from my temples.

"Ivy," he said, "you don't need to deliberately make yourself worse."

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid of marrying trouble?"

"If you don't want to get married to someone, you can refuse."

"Even if it's you?"

Alexander was quiet for a moment. "If it's me, you can too."

That was the first time I felt that this man, rumored to be as cold as ice, might truly be different from everyone else.

The third time we met was at a charity gala in Havenport.

A socialite who had it in for me laughed in front of everyone. "Ivy Carter changes men faster than she changes sports cars. Mr. Grant must have the worst luck imaginable to marry her."

Before I could lash out, I heard Alexander ask in a flat voice, "What's your name?"

Flushing with pleasure, she gave her name. Alexander nodded. "From now on, you're not welcome at any event hosted by the Grant Group or the foundation."

He stood up, his voice wasn't loud, but it brooked no argument. "Please remember, Ivy is the one I chose, and more importantly, she is my wife. To me, she is simply the best."

At that moment, every sound around me suddenly faded away. I could clearly hear my heart thundering.