Chapter 8
Miles
This was perfect. She needed money, and I needed a wife.
“I can solve your money problems for you. You can finish up your master’s and then focus on your doctorate.”
“How?” She laughed.
“I can pay for your schooling, plus give you money to live on.”
She stared at me with furrowed brows. “I don’t understand what’s going on here, Miles. Why would you do that?”
“Because I need a favor from you.”
“What kind of favor?” She brought the wine up to her lips.
I threw back the rest of my bourbon and set my glass down.
“I need you to become my wife.”
“What?” she shouted and spit out her wine.
I grabbed a napkin and handed it to her.
“Are you fucking crazy?” she asked.
“Just listen to me, Stella.”
“No. This is insane.” She grabbed her purse and headed towards the door. “You’re insane.”
“You’re going to turn down one million dollars? You have no job and no money. Think about how old you’ll be before you ever get the doctorate you want so badly.”
She stopped, turned around, and stared at me.
“You wouldn’t have to work, and your only focus would be on school,” I said. “You need the money, and I need a wife. I”ll explain everything if you set your purse down and sit on the couch. Please.”
She let out a long sigh, set her purse down, and walked over to the couch.
“Explain, now,” she said.
“My name is Miles Bradshaw, and I’m the president of Bradshaw Capital. My mother recently passed away, and instead of leaving the company to me, she put my uncle in charge. Her will stated that if I married within the year and stayed married for a year, the company would go to me. That company is rightfully mine, and I should be sitting in my mother’s office, running it, not my uncle.”
“Can’t you contest the will?” she asked.
“She put in a no-contest clause.”
“Why would she do that to you?”
“Our relationship was very strained, and she didn’t like how I lived outside of the office.”
“And how is that?”
“Being a bachelor, seeing a variety of women, never wanting to settle down. She changed her will when she found out she had terminal cancer. I should have seen this coming. I need my company, Stella.”
“I don’t know, Miles.” She shook her head. “This whole thing is preposterous.”
“You don’t think I know that? Listen. Our marriage wouldn’t even be a real marriage. We’d only be married by a piece of paper. We’d live separate lives. You do your thing, and I’d do mine. After one year, we’d have the marriage annulled, and it would be as if we had never been married. I’ll pay you five hundred thousand dollars after we’re married and the rest after we get divorced. Think about what you could do with that money, Stella. This arrangement benefits both of us. The only thing I’d need from you is when I have dinners and events to attend. People will want to meet Mrs. Miles Bradshaw.”
“And what the hell do I tell my friends?”
“You tell them we met in Vegas, fell in love, and got married. It happens. There is one stipulation.”
“What?”
“You’d have to move into my penthouse.”
“Why? You said we’d live separate lives.”
“And we will. It’s just my uncle will be keeping an eye on me. It needs to look real. Honestly, the last thing I want is someone moving in.”
“Thanks.” She rolled her eyes.
“No offense, Stella. You’d have your own room and come and go as you please. My home would be your home for a year. After that, you’ll move out and get your own place.”
“And what if I meet someone in a year?”
“I wouldn’t stop you from dating. I only ask that you don’t bring him back to the penthouse, and I will extend the same courtesy to you.”
“I can’t believe this.” She stood from the couch and walked over to the window. “I’m a fucking psychologist. I know better than this.”
“A psychologist with a dream. One million dollars, Stella. And a beautiful penthouse for a year.”
* * *
Stella
I stood there with my arms folded, looking out into the city. My stomach was tied in knots, and I didn’t know what to do. This man was willing to pay me one million dollars to become his fake wife for a year. A year that would quickly pass. I could go to school full-time and get my doctorate. Then, I’d be a fully licensed child psychologist and would be able to easily find the job I always wanted. Maybe I could even start my own practice.
“Fine.” I turned around. “I’ll marry you.”
“Seriously?” His face lit up.
“Yes. As you said, this benefits both of us. When and where?”
“As soon as we return to New York, we can file for a marriage license and marry at the courthouse.”
“Ah, the dream wedding I’ve always wanted.”
He walked over and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace.
“You can have your dream wedding after our year is up. It’s only for one year. Thank you, Stella.”
“Sure, Miles.” I broke our embrace. “I have to go and tell Jordyn I’m moving out.”
“By the way. What is your last name?” he asked.
“Harper.”
“Thank you, Stella Harper.” A smile crossed his lips as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “Since you’re my fiancée, I’ll need your phone number.”
I rattled it off and heard a ding coming from my purse.
“I just sent you a text. Now, you have my number.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later or back in New York.” I walked out of his suite.
When I returned to my room, I saw Jordyn lying on the bed. How the hell was I going to tell her that I was getting married?