The rain hammered down on the pavement outside the Golden Grill, the city’s most expensive restaurant. Alex Reed stood by the entrance, his cheap windbreaker soaked through. He clutched a small, velvet box in his pocket. His fingers were numb from the cold, but his heart was beating fast. Today was his third anniversary with Sarah. He’d worked three jobs—delivery driver, janitor, and night security—just to save up for the diamond ring she’d pointed out months ago."Hey! You! Get away from the door!" a loud voice barked.Alex looked up. A waiter in a tuxedo was glaring at him through the glass door."I'm waiting for someone," Alex said, his voice shaking slightly. "My girlfriend, Sarah Jenkins. She’s at table five."The waiter stepped outside and curled his lip in disgust. "Table five is reserved for VIPs. A guy who looks like he crawled out of a dumpster doesn't have a girlfriend at table five. Now, move along before I call the cops. You're blocking the view for the real customers."

The Ferrari pulled up to a massive white villa with gold-trimmed gates. Chloe didn't look at Alex as she parked the car. She just grabbed her leather briefcase and stepped out, her heels clicking sharply on the stone driveway. "You're staying in the east wing," Chloe said, pointing toward a smaller door. "My maid, Martha, will show you where it is. I've got to get back to the office. The board is meeting at four, and Jason’s father is going to try to freeze my accounts." "Do you want some help with that?" Alex asked, leaning against the car. Chloe paused and let out a cold, short laugh. "Help? Alex, you're a guy who was living in a basement three days ago. You don't know anything about corporate law or hostile takeovers. Just stay out of sight. If my Aunt Victoria sees you, she’ll have a heart attack, and I don't want to deal with that today." "I'm just saying, I'm a good listener," Alex said with a shrug. "I don't need a listener. I need a miracle," she muttered. She checked her

Alex was sitting in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water, when Chloe walked in the next morning. She looked like she hadn't slept at all. Her hair wasn't in its perfect bun, and her eyes were red. She didn't even notice him at first. She just went straight for the coffee machine and sighed when she saw it wasn't ready."I've already started it," Alex said quietly. "It'll be done in a minute."Chloe jumped a little, finally noticing him. She leaned against the counter and rubbed her temples. "Alex. I didn't see you there. Why are you up so early?""I'm used to it," Alex said. "I used to have a three a.m. shift at the warehouse. Old habits don't die easily. You look stressed, Chloe.""Stressed? That’s an understatement," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "The family dinner was a disaster. My aunt is calling for an emergency meeting this afternoon. She wants to use your 'fake vase' stunt as proof that I've lost my mind. She’s saying I married a con artist and that I'm unfit to lea

Alex was already in the kitchen when the clock struck seven. He’d found some high-quality sourdough and three types of expensive cheese in the back of the giant fridge. The butter was sizzling in the pan, filling the room with a warm, salty smell. He heard the light patter of feet on the tile and knew Chloe was there. She wasn't wearing her business suit anymore. She had on a simple grey hoodie and leggings."You're actually doing it," Chloe said, hopping onto a tall stool at the kitchen island. "I thought you were joking about the grilled cheese.""I don't joke about food, Chloe," Alex said, carefully flipping the sandwich with a spatula. "I've spent too many years eating ramen in a cup. When I get a chance to cook something real, I take it seriously.""It smells amazing," she admitted, resting her chin on her hand. "I can't remember the last time someone cooked for me. Usually, I just order takeout or Martha leaves a salad in the fridge that tastes like grass.""Well, tonight’s a g

"You're heading out early," Alex said, standing up. "Is everything okay?"Alex was sitting on the edge of the fountain in the garden when Chloe came out the next morning. She was dressed in a sharp white suit, but her face was pale. She was holding her phone so tight her knuckles were white."No, it's not," Chloe said, pacing back and forth on the grass. "Jason's been calling every board member since six a.m. He’s telling them he’s found a 'gold mine' investment. He’s convinced everyone that he’s about to triple the family’s private wealth. If he pulls this off, the board will give him whatever he wants. They’ll give him my job, Alex.""What’s the investment?" "It’s a company called Bio-Tech Global," Chloe sighed. "They claim they’ve found a cure for a rare blood disease. The stock is already jumping. Jason put all his private funds into it. He even convinced my Aunt Victoria to put her savings in too. He’s acting like he’s the king of the world.""Bio-Tech Global," Alex repeated. "I