"Marry me, Julia, and I promise to make them pay for everything they've done to you. I'll help you get the revenge you want!" Caspian's deep, commanding voice echoed through the spacious alleyway where he and Julia stood, just moments after leaving the dimly lit pawn shop.

Julia felt her breath catch in her throat, her entire body freezing in shock at his words. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her mind racing to process what he had just said.

Caspian Michaelson, the city's wealthiest trillionaire, a man who could have anything and anyone he wanted, was standing before her, offering more than just his wealth.

He was offering his power, his influence, and his hand in marriage—all to help her settle the score against those who had wronged her.

But it wasn’t just anyone making this offer—it was her boss, the man she had never imagined would be standing here, asking her to marry him for revenge.

A flood of questions rushed through Julia's mind as she tried to make sense of everything that had happened in just a few seconds.

‘Does he really love me? Or is he doing this because he can’t stand seeing someone being mistreated, even though he’s usually so arrogant?’ she wondered, her eyebrows drawing together as she looked at him closely.

When Julia stepped into that pawnshop, she had one goal in mind: to sell the ring on her finger and use the money to pay for her son's hospital bill.

She never expected anything more. The thought that her boss, Caspian, would be the one to step in and help her was beyond anything she could have imagined.

She certainly didn’t expect him to kiss her, and the idea that he would propose to her was something she hadn’t even dared to dream of.

As the silence stretched on and Julia didn’t immediately respond, Caspian took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers.

He reached out and took her hand in his, his grip firm but gentle, as if he was silently promising that he wouldn’t let her go. It was strange, this tenderness in him.

Julia felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, a mix of excitement and fear battling within her.

The offer Caspian made was undeniably tempting—a chance to right the wrongs done to her, to get the revenge she had secretly craved.

But as much as she wanted to say yes, doubts gnawed at her. How could she agree to this so soon after her divorce? She barely knew Caspian, and the mystery surrounding her son’s father only made things more complicated.

"What do you say, Julia? I can…" Caspian began, his voice low and persuasive, but before he could finish, Julia took three hurried steps back, distancing herself from him.

The words she had to say next were hard, but she knew she had to say them.

Caspian’s eyes darkened with frustration as he realised what was coming. He could see it in the way she pulled away, in the hesitation in her gaze. The rejection he sensed made his jaw clench in anger.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Caspian, but this... this isn’t what I expected," Julia stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to steady herself.

"I know I want revenge, but I can’t use my boss to get it. I can’t do that to you. Please, understand."

"You’re not using me, Julia," Caspian replied, his voice firm, almost commanding, as he took a step forward, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

"This is what I want. I’m not offering this out of pity or obligation. I mean it."

Julia searched his face, trying to find any hint of deceit, but all she saw was determination and sincerity.

He wasn’t lying; she could tell. But that only left her more confused. Why would the richest man in the city, a man who could have anyone, choose her?

"I have a son," she blurted out, as if that fact alone should be enough to make him reconsider.

Caspian shook his head, brushing aside her concern as if it were insignificant. "It’s just an act, Julia. It’s not a real marriage," he explained, his tone almost dismissive.

At his words, her heart sank. So that’s all this was to him—a role to play, nothing more. He didn’t want her for who she was; he wanted her for the part she could play in his life, a means to an end.

The realisation stung, and Julia felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. The excitement she’d felt just moments before was replaced with a hollow ache.

"I... I must have gotten ahead of myself just now," Julia stammered, her voice laced with regret.

"Thank you for helping me, but I don’t think this is possible. I have a son to take care of. If you’ll excuse me, Sir." She gave a small, polite bow, her eyes downcast, before turning on her heels and walking away, her frown deepening with each step.

As she walked, her thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of emotions. She didn’t want to get involved with Caspian.

The risks were too great, not just for her but for her son as well. She couldn’t afford to get herself in any kind of relationship with someone like him; it could end badly for both of them.

But what hurt the most was his casual dismissal of what could have been. To him, it was just an act, a means to an end.

Once again, she felt like nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s game, a tool to be used to achieve their desires.

By the time she reached the highway, her emotions were running high. She flagged down a cab, her movements quick and determined, and climbed into the back seat, giving the driver the address of the hospital.

As the car sped toward the hospital, Julia’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Caspian and everything he had said.

The memory of his words replayed in her mind, but even more vivid was the memory of his kiss. Her hand unconsciously reached for her lips, her eyes fluttering shut as she tried to steady her racing heart.

The warmth of his lips against hers lingered, refusing to fade, and she found herself struggling to push the memory aside.

Just as she was sinking deeper into her thoughts, the car jerked to a sudden stop, pulling her back to reality. The driver turned to meet her gaze, his voice breaking through the fog in her mind.

"We’re here, Ma’am," he informed her, his tone polite but firm.

"Oh, right. Thank you," Julia replied, snapping her eyes open. She forced a laugh, trying to shake off the embarrassment she felt.

How long had she been lost in her thoughts? She quickly paid the driver and climbed out of the car, her cheeks burning with the knowledge that he had witnessed her moment of distraction.

As she stood outside the hospital, Julia took a deep breath, preparing herself to face the reality waiting for her inside. But before she could take a step, she realised her dress was still damp from earlier. She glanced down at herself, noticing the wet spots that clung to the fabric. A wave of frustration washed over her.