Elena sat across from Dominic in his sleek penthouse office. Rain streaked down the glass windows behind him, blurring the skyline.
"I don't understand," she whispered, still in her pale pink dress—now wrinkled, soaked, and stained with betrayal.
Dominic leaned forward. "Marry me."
Her breath hitched. "What?"
He didn't flinch. "Brandon's a fool. He humiliated you. I want to make him regret it."
Elena laughed bitterly. "So this is revenge?"
"In part," Dominic admitted. "But also business. I need a wife. The board's pushing for it. You're smart, presentable, and best of all—you've got nothing left to lose."
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes. "You don't even know me."
"I know enough. You're loyal. You're strong. And if you marry me, I'll give you what Brandon never could—power, respect, and a new beginning."
Silence stretched between them. Then Elena asked, "What do you get out of this?"
Dominic smiled coolly. "A woman who owes me nothing… and will pretend to love me in public."
She bit her lip. "And in private?"
His eyes darkened. "We'll see."