Ava Collins believed in hard work, strong coffee, and minding her own business.
Those were the three rules that kept her life together.
At twenty-one, she didn't have the luxury of dreaming big. Dreams didn't pay rent. Dreams didn't buy groceries or cover her little brother's school fees.
Reality did.
That was why she worked double shifts at the Grand Palace Hotel—one of the most luxurious hotels in New York City. While rich people laughed over expensive meals and sparkling drinks, Ava served them silently, pretending she belonged in their world.
She didn't.
And she never would.
"Table seven needs more champagne!" her manager hissed through the small earpiece she wore.
"I'm on it," Ava replied quickly.
She balanced the silver tray carefully, weaving through the crowd of elegantly dressed guests. The ballroom was filled with important people tonight—business owners, celebrities, politicians.
People with perfect lives.
She was almost at the table when it happened.
Someone stepped backward.
Ava turned at the exact wrong moment.
Crash.
The tray tilted.
Glasses slipped.
And cold champagne poured straight onto a tall man in an expensive black suit.
For a second, the entire world froze.
"Oh my God!" Ava gasped. "I'm so sorry!"
She grabbed napkins, her hands shaking as she tried to wipe the mess off his jacket.
"I didn't see you, I swear—"
"Stop."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Ava slowly looked up.
And forgot how to breathe.
The man standing in front of her was painfully handsome—dark hair, sharp features, and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through her.
He looked… dangerous.
"I'll pay for the dry cleaning," she rushed out. "Please, I didn't mean to—"
"Do you know who I am?" he asked.
Her heart dropped.
"No, sir."
His jaw tightened.
"Damon Hart."
The name hit her like lightning.
Damon Hart.
Owner of Hart Enterprises.
One of the youngest billionaires in America.
And she had just ruined his suit.
Her face went pale.
"I—I'm really sorry, Mr. Hart. It was an accident."
He studied her quietly, eyes scanning her face like he was analyzing a business contract.
Finally, he said, "Accident or not, you ruined an important meeting for me."
Ava swallowed.
"I'll accept whatever punishment you think is fair."
Something flickered in his expression.
"Whatever punishment?" he repeated.
"Yes, sir."
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, to her shock, a small, calculating smile touched his lips.
"Good," he said slowly. "Because I have a proposal for you."
"A proposal?" she echoed nervously.
Damon stepped closer.
"So far tonight, my investors think I'm unreliable, my ex-girlfriend just embarrassed me in front of half of New York, and now I look like a man who can't even hold his drink."
Ava blinked. "I'm really sorry about that."
"You should be," he replied.
Then he folded his arms.
"But you can fix it."
Her brows furrowed. "How?"
His next words turned her world upside down.
"I need a fiancée."
Ava stared at him.
"I'm sorry… what?"
"You heard me," Damon said smoothly. "I need someone to pretend to be my fiancée. Publicly. For three months."
She let out a nervous laugh.
"That's… that's a joke, right?"
"I don't joke."
Her heart pounded.
"Why would you ask me?"
"Because you owe me," he replied simply. "And because you look innocent enough to be believable."
Ava shook her head.
"This is crazy. I can't just pretend to marry a stranger."
"It won't be real," he said. "Just business."
Business.
Everything with men like him was business.
"How much?" she whispered.
Damon leaned closer.
"One million dollars."
The room suddenly felt very small.
A million dollars.
Enough to change her life.
Enough to save her family.
Enough to finally breathe.
Her mind screamed no.
But her situation whispered yes.
She looked at him, terrified and tempted all at once.
"And if I refuse?" she asked.
His eyes darkened.
"Then you walk away and keep struggling."
Ava closed her eyes.
Three months.
Just three months.
How hard could it be?
Slowly, she met his gaze.
"What exactly would I have to do?"
Damon smiled.
"Congratulations, Miss Collins," he said.
"You just got the job."