Chapter 2

I rummaged through my luggage, searching for the perfect dress to wear tonight. I wanted something that would make heads turn, something that would catch the eye of everyone in the room. Even though I was broke, I refused to let anyone know. After all, a girl's gotta maintain her reputation, am I right?

I pulled out a few dresses and tossed them aside, not feeling satisfied with any of them. But then, I saw it. A beautiful, black dress with just the right amount of sparkle. It was tight in all the right places and showed off my curves perfectly. I grinned to myself, knowing that this dress was the one.

I slipped into the dress and twirled around in front of the mirror. My pigtails bounced as I spun, and I couldn't help but laugh at my reflection. I may not have a lot of money, but I had style, and that was worth more than any amount of cash.

I grabbed my red and black high-heeled boots and slipped them on, feeling ready to take on the world. I topped off the look with some bright red lipstick and a playful wink at myself in the mirror.

"Time to go show 'em what Brielle's made of," I said to myself with a smirk. I grabbed my purse and strutted out the door.

I strutted down the stairs with my head held high, knowing that everyone was checking me out. I was rockin' my outfit, and I knew it. As I made my way through the crowd, I saw Cullen stand up and take notice of me.

"Tu es absolument magnifique, ma dame," he said with a smile, and I couldn't help but feel a little flutter in my heart. 

"Merci beaucoup, Cullen," I replied with a grin, giving him a little wink. "You're looking pretty sharp yourself, if I do say so myself."

I was a true international woman of mystery, able to speak and understand multiple languages. And it was all thanks to my time in the city of love, Paris.

He took my hand and led me to the table he had reserved. I knew that I was the center of attention, and I loved every minute of it. 

I sat at the table, my gaze fixed on Andrew as he ordered for us. He asked the waiter for something light, and I couldn't help but wonder what he had planned for us tonight.

As the waiter walked away, I leaned in closer to Andrew, my eyes never leaving his.

"So, what's this big deal you have for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cullen slid a stack of documents across the table towards me, his dark eyes focused and intense as I took them from him.

I flipped through the pages, my heart racing with anticipation. I never knew what kind of scheme Cullen was cooking up, but I was always eager to be a part of it.

But as I read through the pages, my excitement turned to confusion. A contract marriage? And to top it all off, I was expected to give him an heir?

I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside of me. On one hand, this was exactly what I had been looking for - my big fish. But on the other hand, a marriage contract? Giving someone an heir? It all felt so surreal.

I looked up at Cullen, pretending to be surprised. I couldn't let him think I was just in it for the money, even though I was all in for it. "A contract marriage?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cullen nodded, his eyes focused and serious. "I know it sounds crazy, Brielle," he said. "But I need a wife, and I need an heir."

"You're kidding, right?" I said, my voice laced with disbelief.

Cullen shook his head, his eyes darkening with urgency. "I'm dead serious, Brielle," he said, his voice low and intense. "And I need you to be my wife for the next two years

I stared at him in disbelief, feeling a mix of shock and amusement. We had only just met, and yet here he was, proposing a contract marriage with the stipulation that I give him an heir.

I took a deep breath, trying to wrap my head around the idea.

Could I really give him a child? I wasn't sure, but one thing was certain: the money was all that mattered to me. It was enough to secure my financial future for life.

But then I remembered who I was. I was Brielle, the fearless, the unstoppable. And I wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

I looked up at him, my eyes meeting him as I asked the question that had been on my mind since he first brought up the idea. 

"So, how much are we talking about here?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of mischief." Trying to hide the eagerness in my voice.

Cullen's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Twenty million dollars," he said, his voice filled with confidence.

Twenty million dollars. The number hung in the air between us, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. 

My heart skipped a beat as I thought about all the things that money could buy. A luxurious mansion, a private jet, designer clothes, and so much more. I could have it all if I went through with this.

It was more money than I had ever seen in my life, and it was all mine for the taking. It was a chance of a lifetime, and I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers.

I flicked my blonde hair over my shoulder, twirling a strand around my finger as I stared at Cullen with a coy smile. "I'm ready, it's a deal." I purred, watching as his eyes lit up with excitement.

But there was one secret I couldn't bring myself to tell him. The one thing that could ruin everything. The fact that I was already married.

But I couldn't let him get in the way of my jackpot. I couldn't let Cullen know the truth, or everything would fall apart.