In the glittering skyline of Chicago, where fortunes rise as fast as they fall, Laura Castillo has made a career out of heartbreak—literally. As a professional bride, she’s survived by marrying desperate men for money, selling illusions of love with a flawless smile and a perfectly tailored dress. But behind the practiced charm is a woman drowning in emotional debts, haunted by a dying father’s final wish and a parasitic mother’s relentless demands.
When Andy Hayes, billionaire heir to the Hayes empire, offers Laura a six-month marriage contract to secure his inheritance, it seems like just another cold transaction. But Andy is nothing like her previous clients—he’s sharp, dominant, devastatingly attractive, and infuriatingly perceptive. He sees the cracks beneath Laura’s mask. And he’s hiding battle scars of his own.
Their arrangement requires total discretion, shared living space, and a convincing performance for the press. But as cohabitation turns into chemistry, and chemistry ignites into something deeper, both Laura and Andy begin to lose control of a game they thought they’d mastered. Secrets surface. Ghosts from Laura’s past claw back for revenge. And the contract binding them begins to feel a lot like fate.
“This was supposed to be a deal,” Laura whispers, her voice trembling as Andy’s hand cups her jaw.
“It still is,” he murmurs, lips brushing hers. “I’m just changing the terms.”
