Emily's POVI couldn't help but feel a sense of regret over the proxy marriage I had signed. I had done so much for him, and he had still treated me so harshly. His apology didn't seem to make up for it. I wasn't sure if I could ever forgive him. I wondered what had made him act that way. What had I done to deserve it?I felt so foolish for trying to hug him, only to have him pull away. It was humiliating, and it made me feel like a fool. I felt trapped. I had signed a contract that bound me to him indefinitely, and I couldn't get out of it. I wished I could leave, but I knew I couldn't. I felt helpless like there was nothing I could do to change my situation. I was stuck in a situation I didn't want to be in, and I didn't see any way out.The shrill sound of my phone ringing jolted me out of my thoughts. I had been so deep in my thoughts, trying to figure out what to do, that the sudden noise startled me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, wondering who could be calling me.When I
Emily's POVI went downstairs to the kitchen and made myself a quick breakfast. I knew it was important to start the day with something nutritious, so I made myself a healthy smoothie with fruit, vegetables, and protein powder. I took a few minutes to sip it slowly, savoring the taste and enjoying the feeling of taking care of myself.As I was walking out the door, I saw Ethan heading out as well. I considered asking him if he could give me a ride to work. I quickly dismissed the idea. I knew he would say no and it would only make things awkward between us. I didn't want to start the day off on an unpleasant note."Emily." It caught me off guard when Ethan called me by my name. He had always referred to me as Olivia's sister, so it was surprising to hear him use my name. I walked up to Ethan."Good morning!" I greeted. He didn't respond. Instead, he just started talking about something else, as if he hadn't even heard me. "You will make sure that no one in the office knows that we li
Emily's POV"Would you mind if we went down to get something to eat?" Liam asked. I was taken aback by the invitation, but I couldn't help but feel a little thrill of excitement. "I would love to!" I said, trying not to sound too eager. I was hungry, and I was eager for some company, even if it was just a quick lunch. But then I remembered I had got a lot of work to do."Oh, I'm so sorry. I have a lot of work to do and I can't afford to be distracted right now." "Oh, poor little Miss Clumsy," Liam was teasing me with a grin. "I wish I could help you, but I've got a lot of work to do myself." I couldn't help but laugh at his playful tone. He was just trying to make me feel better, and it was working. I felt a bit lighter, my mood was lifted."Maybe we could hang out some other time," Liam said, and I felt a flicker of hope. "That would be great." "Bye, Miss Clumsy," Liam grinned at me as he walked away. I watched him go, feeling oddly satisfied. It had been a pleasant brief interactio
Emily's POVI was so relieved to get home after such a long day. I had been dreading work, especially after the way Ethan had spoken to me before. But today had turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Ethan had been polite, and I had even had a great conversation with Liam. I felt like someone had lifted a weight off my shoulders. I was exhausted, but I also felt energized.I was so tired, but I knew I had to get ready for my outing with Liam. I was a little nervous but also excited. I did not know where we were going, but I wanted to look my best. I rummaged through my closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. I wanted to make a good impression, and I wanted to feel confident and beautiful.I was so tired from searching through my closet that I headed downstairs to the kitchen to fix myself a quick meal. I was starving, and I needed to refuel before I could continue getting ready.I took the stairs down to the kitchen, and when I reached the bottom, I saw Ethan standing there. I froze,
Emily's POVLiam's voice was low and pained as he spoke. "I was driving to pick you up, and a kid ran out into the road. I couldn't stop in time and hit her. I'm so sorry. I'm at the hospital now. I'm not sure how bad it is, but I wanted to let you know what was going on." I was still in shock, trying to process what he was saying. My heart sank as I listened to Liam's explanation. I had been so worried about being stood up, and now I felt terrible for doubting him. I was horrified to hear that a child had been injured and that he was at the hospital. "Oh my god, Liam, are you okay? Is the child okay?" I asked, feeling a wave of panic and sadness."Yes, she is."Hearing that the child was okay was a huge relief. I let out a breath that I hadn't even realized I was holding. It was a terrible situation, but it could have been much worse. I felt a little calmer, but I was still concerned about Liam. "How are you doing?" I wanted to make sure he was okay."I'm fine, a bit overwhelmed.""
Emily's POV"You look beautiful, by the way," Liam said, making me blush. "I'm sorry. I forgot to say that earlier." His words surprised me, but I didn't know what to say. I wanted to come up with a witty response, but I just stood there, blushing and smiling like an idiot. "I like your shoes, too," he added, gesturing to my feet. I looked down at my shoes. My cheeks flushed a deep red. I stammered a little as I tried to find the right words to respond. "Thank you," I finally managed to say. "You look pretty great yourself." I wasn't sure if that was the right thing to say, but it was the best I could come up with. He just smiled at me and I felt my heart flutter.I could feel my hands shaking as I stood there, trying to think of something to say. I was usually so comfortable around Liam, but for some reason, I felt more nervous than usual. Maybe it was because of the situation, or maybe it was something else. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I took a deep breath, trying to
Emily's POV"I'm going to pick out a teddy bear for you," Liam said, his tone playful and mischievous. "And then you're going to pick one for me. If you don't like the one I pick, I lose. But if you like the one I pick, I win." I thought about his proposal for a moment, and then I nodded. "You're on." A smile was on my face. "This is going to be fun." And with that, we set off to find the perfect teddy bears for each other.I started looking through the shelves, searching for the perfect teddy bear for Liam. There were so many to choose from, but I wanted to find one that reflected his personality. Finally, I spotted the perfect one. It was a big, fluffy brown bear with a red bowtie around its neck. I knew it was the one. "I found the perfect one," I said, holding it up for Liam to see. "It's you, in teddy bear form." He laughed, and I could tell he was impressed. "That's pretty accurate."Liam studied the teddy bear for a moment, and then he turned to me, an impish grin on his fac
Emily's POVAs we drove closer to Ethan's apartment, I felt a sense of panic rising in my chest. I didn't want Liam to know where I lived, for some reason. So, when we reached a point close to Ethan's building, I decided to lie. "We've reached my destination." I pointed to a random apartment building. "Thank you for the ride." Liam got out of the car and came around to open the door for me. I wasn't expecting that, and it caught me off guard. I felt a flutter in my stomach as I stepped out of the car. I was grateful for the gesture, but I wasn't sure what to make of it. Was this a sign of something more, or was it just a friendly gesture? "Thank you for making my evening interesting," he said, his eyes meeting mine. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, and I looked away, trying to regain my composure. "It was my pleasure." My voice was a little unsteady. "It was nice to get out and do something fun for a change. I'm glad you enjoyed it." His voice was warm and sincere. "We shoul
Ethan's POVI extended my hand, but Emily looked at it with confusion, her stubbornness radiating like a shield."Emily," I called softly.She snapped out of her reverie, her gaze focusing. Finally, she took my hand. Her palm felt incredibly soft, sending unexpected waves of comfort through me. I hated to admit it, but her touch soothed me."You're my wife.... for today." The words felt strange coming out of my mouth, but they were true.Emily's gaze dropped to my shoes, then met mine, her brown eyes locking onto mine. "That's what I'm being paid for," she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.I nodded silently, acknowledging the truth in her words. I felt bad for telling her that I was trying to create a conversation; I just couldn't say anything to alter what she just said. As painful as it was to her, that was the truth. I wanted to counter it, but no words could express it in a way I wouldn't show vulnerability.I had planned to drive myself, but occasions like this left me no choice
Ethan Smith In record time, she emerged from her room, radiant in a fitted blue sundress that accentuated every curve. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Had I been blind to her allure this whole time? The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, showcasing the soft swell of her hips and the gentle dip of her waist. My gaze lingered, tracing the contours of her body. How had I managed to overlook this stunning woman standing right before me? "OH. GOD!!" my mind screamed as if finally waking up to the reality of my feelings. In that instant, I yearned to feel her warm breath dance across my skin, her body melting into mine. The thought of her gentle touch sent shivers down my spine. I craved the softness of her hands, the whisper of her fingers intertwining with mine. Every cell in my body ached to be closer, to feel her radiating heat. Time stood still as I gazed at her, lost in the depths of her eyes. The world around us dissolved, leaving only the two of us
Emily's POV I walked away from him, my heart still racing from our brief moment together. The way he brushed away the biscuit crumbs, his fingers grazing my skin... I couldn't shake the feeling. I returned to my room, I couldn't shake off the memory of our encounter. My mind replayed the moment, scrutinizing every detail. "Ugh, Emily, what's wrong with you?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "You practically threw yourself at him." My cheeks flushed at the thought. I couldn't believe I'd been so forward, my lips parted, inviting him to kiss me. But he didn't. Instead, he coughed, breaking the spell. I felt like I'd been doused with cold water. Why did I do that? Was I that desperate for connection? I forced myself to focus, but my gaze kept drifting to the door, hoping he'd appear again. I smacked my hand against my forehead, feeling like an utter idiot. "He's your sister's husband, Emily! Get a grip!" I reprimanded myself, pacing back and forth. How could I b
Ethan's POV I paced back and forth in my room, frustration boiling over. Why did my mom always have to sabotage my plans? Her constant interference was suffocating. But I refused to let her win. "No," I muttered to myself, determination hardening my resolve. "I won't let her control me." Or would I? The familiar doubt crept in, undermining my confidence. I stopped pacing and faced my reflection in the mirror. My eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm done letting her dictate my life," I declared, the words echoing in my room. This time, I meant it. I stood there, a grown man torn apart by conflicting desires. My mother didn't get it - I couldn't bear the thought of spending more time with Emily. Yet, my heart yearned for her desperately. The contradiction was maddening. How could I simultaneously feel an intense attraction to Emily and an overwhelming need to escape her? Two emotions wrestled within me: longing and repulsion, desire and resistance. It was as if my heart and m
Emily's POV The sweet words spilled from his lips like honey - "You're important to me," "I care deeply for you" - but I saw right through them. They were empty reassurances, crafted to soothe my frazzled emotions. I searched his face, my gaze piercing, but his expression revealed nothing. Still, I knew better. He was pretending, feigning concern. Olivia's haunting words still echoed in my mind: "I'll be back soon, and you'll return." The memory sent a shiver down my spine. "No, you didn't do anything, Em." I stared at him, shock etched on my face. "Em" - he'd never called me that before. Why now? It was just another tactic, a feeble attempt to soften the blow before cutting me out of his life. Just like everyone else. His sudden familiarity grated, a painful reminder of what I was about to lose. The truth stung: I was disposable, a temporary convenience. Then why now? I thought the contract stated that Olivia returns before I leave beside his Mom said I must fulfill my o
Contract DissolvedEthan's POV I watched Emily head to her room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her. The pain in her eyes after that phone call had gutted me, and I knew I had to make today count. I wanted to tell her everything. I waited for her to get ready, and I steeled myself for the conversation ahead. I had to tell her the truth - that the proxy arrangement was over, that I couldn't keep pretending anymore. But it wasn't just about the arrangement; it was about my feelings. I was catching feelings for her, and I didn't like it. I didn't want to be vulnerable, didn't want to risk getting hurt. But I knew I had to be honest with her, and with myself. I took a deep breath, pushing aside the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. Time to end this charade and move on. She emerged from her room, dressed in black leggings and a cropped top, and for a moment, I saw her in a different light. The familiar contours of her face, the curve of her neck, see
Emily's POV I gazed up at Ethan, his words hung in the air like a gentle promise. "You're important to me, Emily." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was the last thing I thought possible - that I, a burden to everyone around me, could be important to someone like Ethan. His eyes, warm and sincere, held mine, and for a moment, I felt seen, truly seen, for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Time seemed to freeze, suspending us in a moment of electric tension. Our eyes locked, unblinking, as if the world around us had melted away. The air vibrated with unspoken emotions, our faces inches apart. It was as if the universe had pressed the pause button, trapping us in a cinematic tableau. The only sound was our synchronized breathing, the only movement was the fluttering of my heart. Ethan cleared his throat, shattering the spell that had held us captive. "Thanks for the coffee, Emily,' he said, his voice low and even, as if the tender moment we'd shared moments befo
Ethan's POV I gritted my teeth as Emily leaned into me, her body trembling with fear. The movie was intense, I'll give her that. But I didn't need her clinging to me like a lifeline. I tried to subtly shift away, but she only held on tighter. Her chest was pressed against my arm, and I could feel her warmth seeping into my skin. I hated it. I hated how my body reacted to her touch, how my mind started to wander to places it shouldn't. I focused on the screen, trying to distract myself from the sensation of her body against mine. But I could feel her gaze on me, sense her looking up at me with those big, scared eyes. I sighed inwardly, feeling like a jerk for not being more understanding. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was getting too close, that I needed to push her away before things got out of hand. "I'm Sorry" I couldn't help but notice the hint of disappointment in her voice, and I felt a pang of regret for not prolonging the moment. But I pushed it asid
Emily's POV After I was done eating, I quickly freshened up and got into an outfit for the movie night. I chose a comfortable yet stylish pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a soft white blouse with a relaxed fit, and a cozy black cardigan to layer over it. My hair was tied up in a messy bun, and I added a touch of subtle makeup to enhance my natural features. I slipped on a pair of black ankle boots, grabbed my small cross-body bag, and headed out to meet Ethan in the sitting room. As I entered the sitting room, Ethan looked up from his phone and smiled, his eyes scanning my outfit with approval. "You look great," he said, standing up from the couch. "Ready to head out?" I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest as he approached me. He was dressed in a simple yet stylish outfit of his own - a pair of light blue jeans and a fitted white T-shirt that showcased his broad shoulders. We walked out of the house together, the evening air crisp and cool as we made our way to the car park.