She Hired Him as Her Fake Husband… He Never Expected to Fall in Love
Chapter 1
Charlotte Bennett had exactly thirty-six hours to find a husband.
Not a real husband.
Just a convincing one.
She stood inside the penthouse conference room of Bennett Holdings, staring at the message her grandmother had sent.
Come home by Friday with a husband, or I will sell your shares.
Charlotte read it twice.
Then a third time.
She couldn’t believe it.
Her grandmother had made the condition six months earlier, after Charlotte became CEO following her father’s sudden retirement.
The Bennett family believed a company should belong to someone who understood legacy.
Charlotte believed a company should belong to someone who could lead it.
Those two opinions had never matched.
Now her grandmother was threatening to remove her.
Charlotte’s assistant, Olivia, stood beside her.
“This is insane.”
“I know.”
“You could just tell her you’re not getting married.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“She said she’ll appoint my cousin Daniel as CEO.”
Olivia winced.
“That explains everything.”
Daniel Bennett had been waiting years for Charlotte to fail.
He was ambitious.
Charming.
And backed by several board members who believed Charlotte was too young.
Charlotte looked out through the glass windows.
Bennett Holdings controlled hotels, real estate, and private investments across the country.
She had spent ten years earning her position.
She wasn’t going to lose it because her grandmother believed a married woman was more stable.
But she needed someone.
Someone believable.
Someone who wouldn’t want her money.
Someone who could survive being around her family for two weeks without selling the story to the tabloids.
Olivia hesitated.
“There might be someone.”
Charlotte turned.
“Who?”
“Ethan Cole.”
“Who?”
“He’s an attorney.”
Charlotte frowned.
“How do you know him?”
“My brother’s law firm uses him.”
“What kind of attorney?”
“Corporate litigation.”
Charlotte shook her head.
“I need a husband, not a lawsuit.”
Olivia smiled.
“He also works as a private mediator.”
“What does that mean?”
“He knows how to deal with difficult families.”
Charlotte stared.
“How much?”
Olivia laughed.
“You really are going to negotiate with him?”
“I negotiate everything.”
That evening, Charlotte met Ethan in a quiet restaurant.
He arrived ten minutes early.
Dark suit.
Simple watch.
No obvious interest in impressing her.
He sat down.
“You’re Charlotte Bennett.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
“You know who I am?”
“Your family’s name is on half the city.”
She frowned.
“Does that bother you?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He studied her.
“So why am I here?”
Charlotte took a folder from her bag.
“I want to hire you.”
“For what?”
She placed a contract on the table.
“Marriage.”
Ethan stared at her.
Then he laughed.
“You’re serious.”
“Completely.”
“How long?”
“Three months.”
“Why?”
“My grandmother’s trust requires me to be married before the next board vote.”
“And you’re willing to fake a marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Why me?”
Charlotte looked directly at him.
“Because I need someone who isn’t impressed by my last name.”
Ethan smiled.
“You don’t know me.”
“I know enough.”
“What do I get?”
She named the amount.
Ethan stopped smiling.
“That is a lot of money.”
“I know.”
“What’s the catch?”
“You have to convince my family.”
“How?”
“Dinner.”
“That’s it?”
“Multiple dinners.”
He laughed.
“You’re hiring me to pretend to love you.”
“No.”
She leaned closer.
“I’m hiring you to convince them you do.”
He looked at the contract again.
Then at her.
“What happens if I say no?”
Charlotte smiled.
“I find someone else.”
He laughed.
“That’s honest.”
“I don’t have time for anything else.”
Ethan picked up the pen.
“One rule.”
“What?”
“No lying between us.”
Charlotte frowned.
“We’re literally faking a marriage.”
“To them.”
He looked into her eyes.
“Not to each other.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Agreed.”
Ethan signed.
Neither of them knew that the fake marriage contract they had just created would eventually become the most real thing either of them had ever experienced.
