Chapter 1

Dana POV: Divorced, Crushed

I grip Alex's hand tighter as we step into the posh hallway of Kelly Stanton's law firm, the marble floors echoing our footsteps like a countdown. My heart pounds, a wild drum in my chest, because today is the day I finally tell him. 

When he told me we were coming to see Kelly, I knew our contract marriage was about to end. 

Two weeks ago, we weren't supposed to cross that line—our contract marriage was clear: no intimacy, no complications. But we did, tangled in sheets and whispers in his penthouse, and it shattered me in the best way. I loved every second, loved him, because somewhere in these two years of pretending, Alex made me feel safe, and cherished, like no man ever has. His quiet strength, the way he looks at me like I'm the only thing that matters in his billion-dollar world, it's undone me. I'm in love with him, deeply, terrifyingly, and I can't hold it in anymore.

"Alex," I say, pulling him to a stop just outside Kelly's office door. My heart is drumming but I force myself on. "I need to talk to you. It's important."

He glances down at me, his chiseled jaw set in a way that's become sweetly familiar this past year, his beautiful dark eyes distant, and cold. "Can it wait? We're already late."

Before I can answer, the door swings open, and Kelly steps out in polished suit and a warm solicitor’s smile. "Alex! Dana! Come on in, you two. I've got everything ready."

Alex nods, guiding me inside with a hand on my lower back that's feels more perfunctory than affectionate. Kelly gestures to the plush chairs in front of his massive desk.

"Have a seat. This won't take long."

We sit, and I shift in my chair, my stomach knotting. I glance at Alex, his profile hard and handsome as ever, and try again. "Alex, really, can I have a word? Just a minute?"

He waves it off, checking his watch. "Whatever it is, it can wait until after. Let's get this done."

Kelly slides a stack of papers across the desk, the divorce documents crisp and final. "Here we go. Everything's in order. Alex, you first."

Alex picks up the pen without hesitation, his signature flowing across the page in bold strokes. He pushes the packet toward me. "Your turn. Sign."

I stare at the papers, my vision blurring. My heart races, aching like it's being squeezed in a vise. This isn't how it's supposed to end. I look up at him, pleading. "Alex, what I wanted to talk about . . . it's serious. You've been so cold this past week. I don't understand what's changed."

He meets my gaze, his expression a cool detached mask of nonchalance. "That's because the contract ended two weeks ago, Dana. We're done. I just haven't had the time to wrap it up until now,’ he says in a flat tone, but then his face flushes red, a sudden anger creeping in. "You can go be with the man you truly love."

I blink, confusion washing over me like a wave. "What? There's no one, Alex. I don't have anyone else."

He shakes his head, his eyes narrowing, his anger blooming. "I know what I saw. Don't play games."

"What you saw?” I ask, deeply worried, “What are you talking about?”

"You're wasting time," he snaps, his tone is of irritation now, that nonchalance cracking at the edges. "I have other engagements." He turns to Kelly. "The party's still on tonight?"

Kelly nods, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Yeah, all set. Eight o'clock at the club."

Alex's phone buzzes. He answers it, listens for a second, then says, "Okay, baby. I'll be downstairs in a minute." He hangs up, stands abruptly, and heads for the door without another word to me.

The door clicks shut behind him, and I sit there, my world tumbling. My chest heaves, tears pricking at my eyes. Why didn't I confess sooner? In the hallway, in the car on the way here, anywhere. But I've been so afraid. Alex is a billionaire, surrounded by luxury and power. What if he thinks I'm just after his money? That my love is as fake as our marriage started out to be? I love him for him: the way he laughs at my terrible jokes, the quiet nights where he holds me like I'm precious. But now it's too late, and regret crashes over me like a storm.

Mutinous tears roll out of my eyes and I wipe them, turning to Kelly. "Does he . . . does he have a new girl already?"

Shock widens his eyes. He leans forward. "Dana, are you . . . are you in love with him? For real?"

"Yes," I whisper, the word breaking free. "God, yes. I love him so much it hurts."

Before Kelly can respond, the door opens again. Alex walks in, this time with a stunning, tall, brunette, dressed in a gorgeous red dress on his arm. "Kelly, this is Jodie. Jodie, my best friend and lawyer, Kelly Stanton."

Jodie smiles brightly. "Nice to meet you." She turns to me. "And you must be Dana. Hello."

My throat tightens up, emotion choking me. I manage a tiny "Hello," that comes out as a rasp.

Alex glances at me, flaring irritation in his eyes. "What's holding up the signing? Let's finish this."

Kelly stands quickly, motioning to Alex. "I've got it. Go on, I'll handle the rest."

Alex nods curtly, escorts Jodie out, and the door shuts again leaving us in a deafening silence.

Kelly sighs, dipping his hands into his pockets, shrugging helplessly. "You can see he's done, Dana. He’s moved on."

I shake my head, tears streaming now. "I thought he loved me too. The way he looked at me, the things he said . . ."

"How could you think that?" Kelly asks gently, with a hint of pity. "This was a contract from the beginning. No strings attached. That's what you both agreed to."

"But we . . ." I cut him off, my voice rising with desperation. "We made love. Two weeks ago. It wasn't just sex—Alex made love to me. He was tender, passionate, like I was everything to him. And now? I can't get him out of my soul. He's in every thought, every breath. I love him, Kelly. More than I've ever loved anyone."

Kelly's jaw drops, his eyes going wide with genuine shock. He stares at me for a long moment, processing. Then, without a word, he bolts upright. "Stay right here."

He rushes out of the office, leaving me alone with the papers, my heart a wreckage of hope and fear. What have I done? And what will happen now that the truth is out—too late, or just in time?