The CEO’s Fake Bride

A fake marriage. A real past. And a future neither of them saw coming. When rising violinist Noelle Tanaka loses her sister in a tragic accident, she's left with the one thing she can't afford to lose—custody of her five-year-old niece, Emi. But with no husband, no steady income, and a past riddled with mistakes, the court sees her as unfit to raise a child. Enter Micah Lin—Seattle's youngest tech CEO and the man who still believes she betrayed him six years ago. He makes her an offer she can't refuse: a one-year marriage contract. No strings. No feelings. Just appearances. But living under the same roof isn't as simple as signing papers. Not when old chemistry sparks behind closed doors. Not when trust was shattered and never rebuilt. And definitely not when someone is determined to expose their lie. As the custody hearing looms, the lines blur between performance and reality. Because somewhere between court dates and bedtime stories, fake begins to feel dangerously real. What if the biggest lie isn't their marriage—but how little they pretend to care? It all started with a phone call that changed everything. The phone rang at 3:47 AM. --- Perfect for readers who crave emotionally charged romance, slow-burn tension, and second chances that hurt just enough to feel real. Tropes: Fake Marriage • Second Chance Romance • Forced Proximity • Custody Battle • Billionaire Hero • Slow Burn Heat Level: Moderate Triggers: Loss of parent/sibling, custody battle, emotional manipulation