MICHAEL’S POV

I hadn’t seen her since the day I proposed.

Not that it was a real proposal, or that I ever wanted to see her again. There was no intention, no fireworks, no falling to one knee with stars in our eyes.

It wasn’t love. It wasn’t even close. Just a contract disguised as romance, a performance meant to pacify expectations and sign off on a transaction.

She needed money. I needed an image.

So I wired the $500,000 for her mother’s treatment. And in return, she gave me ...