Emily barely slept that night.
Alexander's proposal kept replaying in her mind over and over again.
Six months of marriage.
Financial security.
And then a divorce.
It sounded simple when he said it, but deep down Emily knew nothing about this situation was simple.
The next morning, she sat across from Alexander in the quiet hotel dining area.
He looked as calm and confident as always, sipping his coffee as if their strange marriage arrangement was the most normal thing in the world.
"Well?" Alexander asked.
Emily took a deep breath.
"I'll do it."
Alexander slowly raised his eyes to meet hers.
"But only for six months," she quickly added. "After that, we go our separate ways."
A faint smile appeared on Alexander's face.
"Agreed."
Emily felt a strange mix of relief and nervousness.
"Good," Alexander said as he stood up. "Then we should go."
"Go where?" Emily asked.
"To my home."
Emily expected an apartment or maybe a luxurious penthouse.
But when the black luxury car stopped in front of a massive iron gate nearly thirty minutes later, her jaw slowly dropped.
The gate opened automatically, revealing a huge estate surrounded by beautiful gardens.
In the center stood an enormous mansion that looked more like a palace than a home.
Emily stepped out of the car, staring in shock.
"You live here?" she asked.
Alexander walked past her calmly.
"Yes."
Emily quickly followed him inside, her eyes widening even more.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. Marble floors reflected the sunlight streaming through giant windows. Everything looked expensive.
"This place is bigger than my entire neighborhood," Emily whispered.
Alexander chuckled slightly.
"Get used to it. You live here now."
Before Emily could respond, a woman's sharp voice suddenly echoed through the hallway.
"ALEXANDER KNIGHT!"
Both of them turned.
A beautiful woman in an elegant red dress was storming toward them, her high heels clicking loudly on the marble floor.
Her eyes immediately landed on Emily.
"And who exactly is THIS?" she demanded.
Alexander remained completely calm.
"This is my wife."
The woman froze.
"Your… WHAT?"
Emily felt the tension instantly rise in the room.
The woman's eyes narrowed as she looked Emily up and down.
"This must be some kind of joke," she said coldly.
Alexander's voice was steady.
"It's not."
The woman's expression darkened.
"You can't marry some random woman overnight!" she snapped.
Emily's heart started racing.
Who was this woman?
And why did she look like she wanted to destroy her?
Alexander finally spoke again.
"Emily," he said calmly.
"Meet Sophia… my ex-fiancée."