The cafe hummed with quiet chatter and the soft hiss of an espresso machine. Evelyn Sterling sat by the window, her phone pressed to her ear. Her sleek white dress reflected the understated elegance expected of someone of her status. As the heiress to Sterling Enterprises, the nation’s largest conglomerate, Evelyn exuded an air of poise. Yet her expression darkened as she listened to her grandfather’s stern voice on the other end. “Evelyn, you know the rules. Only married individuals are eligible to inherit the family business. Our reputation and stability depend on it. If you cannot find a husband soon, you leave me no choice but to arrange a marriage for you.” Evelyn's grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to protest but held her tongue. The Sterling name carried power, but it also came with suffocating expectations. Damien Cross entered the café, scanning the tables. At 28, Damien's chiseled frame and confident stride was enough to turn heads. Unaware that his presence

Damien stared at his blind date, Claire Harris, now comfortably seated on his couch. He wasn’t sure which was more exasperating, her unwelcome presence or her smugness. He counted to ten in his head so maybe it would be nothing but a dream. Something about her rubbed him the wrong way, she was arrogant and downright disrespectful. His earlier experience with her told him all he should know about her. Thank goodness his eyes were opened to the kind of person she would be once they are married. “What are you doing here, Claire?” Damien asked, his tone as calm as he could muster. “I’m here for dinner,” she said nonchalantly, examining her manicured nails. “My mother is friends with yours. They thought it’d be lovely if we spent more time together.” “What?” She laughed airily, “oh don’t bother to be in the dark about this. I understand what’s going on perfectly and I am sorry about the water I threw on you. It was out of anger, a pretty woman such as myself shouldn’t be ke

Damien smiled when he registered the shock on Evelyn’s face when his question got to her ears. He thought nothing could shake her. Her eyes widened and she turned her back to him, probably to recollect her thoughts. He wanted to laugh. “Let’s get one thing clear,” Evelyn said, spinning to face him, her voice firm. “You are not to touch me until I decide I’ve fallen for you. Is that understood?” Damien tilted his head, his lips quirking up in a faint smile. “Crystal clear,” he said, his tone calm. His nonchalant attitude seemed to irk her more. Evelyn crossed her arms, glaring at him. “I mean it, Damien. No casual touches, no overstepping boundaries. You’ll respect my space.” “I said I understand,” Damien replied, leaning forward with his hands in his pocket, “Honestly, I have no problem waiting. It’s your call, wife.” Her lips tightened, her brow furrowing as though his agreement had taken the wind out of her sails. For reasons Evelyn couldn’t quite explain, his easy acc

Evelyn Sterling adjusted her silverware, her polished calm masking the irritation she felt inside. Across from her sat her three friends, Amelia, Vivian and Victoria each impeccably dressed and accompanied by their equally ostentatious husbands. Tonight’s dinner was meant to be a casual gathering, but Evelyn knew better. These dinners always devolved into competitions of who had the wealthiest, most accomplished husband. Tonight, however, the stakes felt higher; because this was the first time she’d be introducing Damien to her friends.Something she has been avoiding since she walked in there with him. Damien sat beside her, calm as always, his hands loosely folded on the table. His quiet confidence only made Evelyn more aware of the condescending glances being cast in his direction. “So, Evelyn,” Amelia began, her voice lilting with faux curiosity. “We’ve all been dying to know about your husband. You never even told us you got married, I can see why you hid it from us, so what d

It was past midnight when Damien quietly slipped through the front door of the house. He stopped short when he saw Evelyn sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her and a book in her lap. Their gazes met and she smiled. “You’re late,” she said gently, setting the book aside as she stood. “I know,” Damien replied. He dropped his bag near the door and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.” “Are you tired?” She asked with concern written all over her face. “Completely,” he admitted with a faint smile. “It’s been a long day.” He left the rest of the details. Evelyn hesitated, biting her lip. There was so much she wanted to say, but the fatigue etched across his face made her pause. “You should get some rest.” He nodded. “Thanks for waiting up, Evelyn. Goodnight.” With that, he climbed the stairs to his room, his body swaying under the fatigue. Evelyn stood at the base of the stairs, watching him disappear into his room. She had been waiting for hours, re