
Summary
A scandal compels renowned businessman Haven Brandon, known for his icy attitude, to call off his engagement, completely upending his life. He makes up a falsehood about being married in an attempt to please his controlling mother. When she insists on seeing his wife, Haven rushes to devise a plan and asks his best friend Matt for assistance who falls helplessly inlove with Alexis. Introducing Alexis Pierce, a tough and driven young woman who dropped out of college to help support her family and is now fighting to make ends meet. Alexis unwillingly consents to a contract marriage with Haven and Haven's Ex who is a thorn in her flesh. After learning that her father is wrongly imprisoned in exchange for the money, she needs to have her father released from prison. What starts as a commercial agreement swiftly develops into a complicated web of feelings and secrets. Alexis and Haven begin to see each other differently as they work through their fictitious marriage. The frigid façade of Haven melts away to expose a man capable of intense tenderness, and something is ignited inside him by Alexis's flaming energy and persistence. But their brittle relationship is put to the ultimate test when Alexis learns that Haven's brother, Cain, might have had a hand in her father's imprisonment and Haven's Ex pregnancy. Alexis and Haven are becoming closer than ever as they fight against time to unearth the truth and set her father free. Their fake marriage develops into a sincere and passionate relationship that no one can break. They have to choose whether or not their love is worth fighting for as they face their emotions and the threats surrounding them.
Chapter 1
‘Come again? I didn’t hear you the first time.
The blonde haired young man sitting on the other side of the desk stared at his friend in utter disbelief, as though the words that came out were too foreign to understand. He stared for so long he didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, be embarrassed or be confused. Haven Gray rubbed his temples, clearly agitated over his friend's reaction. His hands clenched into fists as he remembered the conversation he had on the phone with his mother a few days ago.
“I need to see my grandchildren,” she said.
“You're not getting any younger,” she complained.
“Do you want me to die a lonely woman,” she whined.
Haven wasn't sure how well he'd handled her entire phone conversation without him throwing his phone halfway across his room.
And then he'd told her he was already planning to marry someone soon. Which was a big, stupid, lie. But he needed her off his neck.
And then she'd ask that he bring this new soon to be wife of his because she was well aware that he had just gotten out of a serious dating scandal.
Anyway, long story short. And now he has to find a wife in a week or she would find one for him instead.
Fuck relationships. Really.
‘’I need a wife,’’ Haven repeated for the second time again, watching as his friend, Matt, grimaced.
‘’If you haven’t noticed,’’ Matt began. ‘’Ever since Catherine, you’ve been on this cold level with ladies. Even the company ladies are scared to talk to you.’’
‘’I didn’t ask you to state the obvious, idiot,’’ Haven hissed.
‘’So, why exactly do you need a wife?’’
‘’Because my mom won’t let me rest.’’ Haven sighed and abruptly dropped the paperwork in his hand on the table, scattering them.
Matt fixed his gaze on his friend. ‘’Well, your mom can be pretty scary when she wants something.’’
‘’So, are you going to help me or not?’’
‘’It’s going to be hard to find someone who can cope with you,’’ Matt said, earning a glare from Haven. ‘’I have a hard time coping with you myself.’’
Haven ignored him, returning to the files he’d thrown carelessly on the table as Matt brought out his phone to make a call. He stared at the files, calculating. All he had to do was find a woman, hire her to be his fake wife, pretend and show the public that he was in love, make his mother believe he really loves her and then break up with her after a month or two. That way, he wouldn’t be forced to get into another marriage for a while, especially if he played the part of a heartbroken husband well.
The plan was simple and he only hoped it would work out. He was about to grin in victory when he instantly froze.
His mother was coming to his place in a few days, and she would be staying at his house.
Well, fuck.
