Louis Smith never believed in love, he always thought of it as a dead weight. Claire Montgomery never allowed herself to hope for it.

When a one-month contract marriage becomes the only way for him to secure the CEO seat he’s worked for his entire life, he is left to ask the one person he found fitting— and she agrees because deep down she would love to fully understand the complexities of the marriage her friends have idolized. She’s been quietly carrying the weight of family expectations, personal insecurities, and the fear of being alone in a world that measures women by their marital status. Accepting this contract is her chance to step into control of her own story, even if it’s only for a month.
Living together, sharing small moments, pretending to be a married couple… it doesn’t stay pretend for long. The walls they’ve built around their hearts begin to crumble, leaving them vulnerable in ways neither anticipated. And when fear, pride, and past pain collide, the contract ends and so does the fragile trust they’ve started to build.
For him, it becomes a lesson in loss. For her, a test of self-respect. And for both, the realization that love doesn’t follow contracts or timelines.
Now he has three months to prove he’s more than the man who walked away… to show her that love isn’t something you fear, it’s something worth fighting for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “Marry me” he said, in the most calm expression.

  I felt the breath leave my lungs. “I beg your pardon?”

“I know this is probably coming off as a shock to you” he says, seated on his chair, arms propped forward, resting on his desk.

  “You think” I respond, sarcastically. Hoping I had just heard wrong. 


  “This is not a joke, I am being very serious.” he said calmly.


  “You’re… proposing?” I asked faintly.



 “Yes.” he answers coolly.


  I shook my head, confused. “But, I’m your secretary, you are my boss.” 


  “I’m aware, which is why I trust you. You don’t seem to be interested in me, I’ve watched you for two years,” he said evenly. “You’ve never tried to step beyond your role, never used familiarity as leverage.”


  I’m still thoroughly confused, “Sir, If this is some sick joke or a test or some sort of of stress induced breakdown, I’ll suggest you inform your doctor.”
 

  He laughed quietly, and I was surprised. He looks really handsome when he laughs. 

  “I’m perfectly sane,” he replied with a hint of humor in his voice. “Sit down. Please.”

I got to Louis' home after a deeply satisfying night. The moment I stepped inside, I breathed in softly.


The familiar scent of his home wrapped around me instantly. Warmth, faint traces of his cologne, and something distinctly Louis. My chest tightened unexpectedly as I realized just how much I had missed being here.


Louis carried in the shopping bags with ease, arms loaded with baby clothes, stuffed animals, tiny socks, and all the unnecessary things we somehow convinced each other to buy. He dropped everything carefully on the dining table before rolling his shoulders.


I kept my gaze flying around the room. I kept checking for any trace of newness.There wasn't any.


The living room remained the same way, the dining area was the same. My gaze drifted to Louis standing awkwardly in the center of it all. His eyes were fixed on my profile, analyzing. He shifted awkwardly where he stood.


Chapter 81 - Chapter 81