Chapter 3

As I signed my name on the contract, sealing my fate as Cullen's temporary wife, I couldn't help but smile. The promise of endless wealth and luxury had always been my heart's desire, and now, it was finally within my grasp.

Cullen's grin only added to my excitement, and my heart raced as a waiter entered with our food. The aroma of the pasta made my mouth water, and I couldn't wait to indulge in its deliciousness.

As I twirled my fork through the noodles, I couldn't help but think of Ignacio, my Spanish husband. 

He was a big-time wine baron in Spain with multiple wineries across the country and Los Angeles. 

We had met at a fashion runway in Los Angeles and somehow, we had connected. I couldn't deny that his deep pockets had drawn me to him. We've been married for 13 months.

But now, everything had changed. Ignacio's company was running down, and the money wasn't flowing like it used to. I needed a way out, a way to secure my future. And that's when Cullen had come along.

As the waiter brought in our top-notch pasta, my mind wandered to the life I could have with Cullen. The private jets, the designer clothes, and the endless luxury - it was all within my reach. 

I took a bite of the succulent steak, relishing in its juiciness. The silence between Cullen and I was starting to feel heavy, and I couldn't help but break it.

"So, Cullen," I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin. "Why do you need a temporary wife and an heir?"

Cullen's face softened, and he looked at me intently. "I need to secure my fortune," he replied. "I've worked hard to build my empire, and my ex-wife, Dionne, is trying to take everything away from me."

His answer made me feel a sense of unease. I had agreed to this contract marriage for the money. 

I didn't want anything to happen to his fortune, because it was the whole reason I had agreed to this in the first place.

"So how is having an heir going to stop your ex-wife from taking all your fortune?" I asked.

Cullen raised an eyebrow, his face stoic as ever. "It's simple, Brielle. If I have a legitimate heir, then I can pass on my assets and properties to my heir. That way, my ex can't touch any of it."

Cullen was a handsome one, that much was clear - with his tousled brown hair and piercing blue eyes, he was the kind of man who turned heads wherever he went.

But I wasn't interested in him for his looks, oh no. I was interested in what he could do for me. And so when he leaned across the table and asked me what I did for a living, I gave him a sly grin.

"So what do you do for a living?" He asked as his eyes were fixed on me, intense and probing. 

I paused for a moment, considering my options. If only I could tell him the truth - that I was a gold digger, always on the hunt for my next wealthy prey. But of course, that wasn't an option. Instead, I quickly adjusted myself. 

"Well, honey," I purred, twirling a lock of blonde hair around my finger. "I'm a woman of many talents. But let's just say I know how to make my money work for me."

Cullen's eyebrow curled up in curiosity, and I knew that I had him right where I wanted him. "Oh really?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And how do you do that?"

I adjusted my posture, putting on my most charming smile. "I have a fashion line in Los Angeles," I said.

It wasn't entirely untrue - I did have a few clothing designs that I sold online, although it certainly wasn't my main source of income.

Cullen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he teased me. "Pas étonnant que votre sens de la mode soit au top," he said, speaking in fluent French.

He complimented my fashion sense. I couldn't help but feel a flush of pleasure at his words. I'd always prided myself on my sense of style. I responded with a simple "Merci."

Cullen leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Where did you learn to speak French so well? It's impressive."

I couldn't help but smirk at his question, feeling a sense of pride in my linguistic abilities. "I'm a businesswoman, Cullen," I said, my voice dripping with confidence. "You pick up a lot of things when you travel as much as I do."

Cullen smiled as his hand reached for the glass of wine on the table, his fingers curling around the stem as he lifted it up to his lips. 

He took a quick whiff of the liquid, savoring the aroma before finally taking a sip.

"So what about you, where did you learn to speak French so fluently?" I blurted out, unable to contain my curiosity.

Cullen's eyes sparkled with amusement as he responded, "I grew up in Paris, actually."

I was taken aback. Paris? As in, the city of love and romance? Suddenly, everything made sense - his charming accent, his sophisticated demeanor, his impeccable fashion sense. I was impressed, to say the least.

"Wow," I said, my eyes widening with awe. "That's so cool.

Cullen smiled at me, "it's a beautiful city."

"Do you miss it?" I asked, trying to hide the hint of longing in my voice.

Cullen's expression turned pensive as he gazed off into the distance. "Sometimes," he said, his voice softening. "But I've come to love New York too. It has its own kind of charm."

I was about to respond, but suddenly, I was interrupted by the sound of my name being called out. I turned around to see Evie, an old friend, standing behind me.

"Brielle! Oh my gosh, it's been so long!" She enveloped me in a hug, and I couldn't help but return it, even though I was more than a little annoyed at the interruption.

"Evie! What are you doing here?" I asked, pulling away to get a good look at her.

She grinned at me, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face. "I live here now! What about you? What are you doing in New York?" 

I turned to Cullen, who was sitting in front of me with a smile, before responding to Evie's question. "This is Cullen," I said, gesturing towards him. "My husband."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.