She Hired Him as Her Fake Husband… He Never Expected to Fall in Love
Chapter 3
Three weeks into the arrangement, everyone believed the marriage was real.
Everyone except Charlotte.
She knew it was fake.
She had organized it.
She had negotiated the contract.
She had chosen Ethan.
Yet somehow, she was beginning to forget where the acting ended.
Ethan cooked breakfast.
He remembered how she took her coffee.
He knew when she was stressed.
He left meetings when she needed help.
He never asked for more money.
He never used her wealth.
And he never treated her differently because she was the CEO.
One morning, Charlotte found him making pancakes.
“You cook?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since always.”
“You never told me.”
“You never asked.”
She sat down.
“You’re annoying.”
“You married me.”
She laughed.
Then stopped.
The word felt strange.
Married.
Ethan noticed.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
He placed a plate in front of her.
“Eat.”
She did.
Later that day, Ethan accompanied her to a charity event.
The press surrounded them.
“Charlotte! Is the marriage real?”
“Ethan, how did you meet?”
“Are you planning children?”
Charlotte froze.
Ethan stepped closer.
He placed an arm around her waist.
“Give her some space.”
The photographers went wild.
Charlotte whispered,
“That’s convincing.”
“You’re welcome.”
A reporter shouted,
“Kiss!”
Charlotte’s eyes widened.
Ethan looked at her.
“Your rule?”
“No kissing.”
“Then what?”
She glanced at the cameras.
Then leaned closer.
“Just this once.”
Ethan kissed her.
It lasted two seconds.
Maybe three.
But Charlotte forgot the cameras.
Forgot the press.
Forgot the contract.
All she knew was the warmth of his hand against her waist.
When they separated, Ethan looked just as surprised.
The crowd cheered.
Charlotte smiled professionally.
But inside, her heartbeat wouldn’t slow down.
That evening, she stood alone on the balcony.
Ethan joined her.
“You’re quiet.”
“So are you.”
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
“The kiss.”
She looked at him.
“It was part of the job.”
“Yes.”
“Nothing more.”
“I know.”
But neither sounded convinced.
Then Ethan asked,
“Why did you really choose me?”
Charlotte stared at the city.
“Because I don’t trust people who want me.”
He waited.
“They want my money.”
“Most people don’t.”
“Most people do.”
“What about me?”
“You don’t.”
Ethan smiled.
“Maybe I just want the three-month payment.”
She laughed.
“Good.”
But neither believed the joke anymore.
