She Hired Him as Her Fake Husband… He Never Expected to Fall in Love
Chapter 4
The first major test came when Charlotte’s family took a vacation together.
Eleanor insisted that the entire family spend two weeks at a lake house.
Charlotte hated the idea.
Ethan loved it.
“You need a break.”
“I don’t take breaks.”
“You should.”
“You’re becoming bossy.”
“You married me.”
She rolled her eyes.
At the lake house, Ethan became unexpectedly popular.
He helped Eleanor fix an old boat.
He played cards with Charlotte’s younger cousins.
He cooked dinner.
He even made Charlotte laugh in front of everyone.
Daniel noticed.
One night, Daniel pulled Ethan aside.
“You’re enjoying this.”
Ethan looked at him.
“I am.”
“You know this won’t last.”
Ethan paused.
“Why?”
“Because Charlotte always chooses work.”
“That doesn’t mean she’ll always choose it over happiness.”
Daniel laughed.
“You think you know her?”
“No.”
Ethan looked toward the house.
“I’m trying to.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Don’t get attached.”
Ethan didn’t answer.
The next day, Charlotte overheard the conversation.
She confronted Ethan.
“What did Daniel say?”
“He warned me.”
“About?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“That you’ll eventually choose work over everything else.”
Charlotte became defensive.
“He doesn’t know me.”
“I know.”
“Do you believe him?”
Ethan looked at her.
“Not yet.”
She stared.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m still getting to know you.”
She couldn’t answer.
That evening, they walked near the lake.
Charlotte finally spoke.
“My father died when I was twenty-five.”
Ethan listened.
“He left me the company.”
“What happened to your mother?”
“She left years before.”
“So you had nobody?”
“I had the board.”
Ethan smiled sadly.
“That isn’t the same.”
“No.”
Charlotte looked at the water.
“Everyone expected me to fail.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then why are you still trying to prove them wrong?”
She was silent.
“I don’t know.”
Ethan reached for her hand.
This time, she let him.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
She looked at him.
“I know.”
The words stayed between them.
Something had changed.
The fake marriage was beginning to feel dangerously real.
