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.”

The moment I turned off the engine and crossed the threshold into my grandparents home, I could already sense the atmosphere was off.


It was not the slight chill in the air. It was not the way my skin prickled with unease or the way my body felt unusually heavy as I climbed out of the car. 


Every nerve ending in my body seemed to be lit up and spiraling, warning me to turn around and leave before I crossed the threshold, to avoid the house altogether.


But I knew my grandparents, my grandfather especially. If I didn't show up today, only God knows what he would do to set me straight.


So, despite every instinct screaming at me to run, I walked inside anyway.


Thomas met me at the entrance the moment I stepped inside. "Good evening, Young Master," he greeted with a small bow. He wasn't smiling, I noticed. "Welcome home."


Chapter 90 - Chapter 90