The Billionaire's Accidental Bride

Emma

Three weeks had passed since the one night with Alexander. The night I couldn't erase from my head.

I had returned home, determined to bury every memory of Ryan, Sophia, and Alexander deep within me.

But their faces still haunted me, like ghosts and it refused to go. Ryan and Sophia’s betrayal had left a wound that refused to heal, and though I tried to move on, the pain still remained in the quiet hours of the night.

As for Alexander… that one night with him was something I couldn’t erase no matter how hard I tried.

His touch, his eyes, the way he made me scream his name in pleasure.

it all came rushing back when I least expected it. But he never gave me a call. Not even once since I waited for it. I told myself I should forget about it that it was better that way, that I didn’t need another heartbreak. So I focused on rebuilding myself.

Days turned into weeks of endless job applications and interviews. Some polite rejections, others never responded.I kept going, refusing to give up. And then, finally, my persistence paid off.

I finally got a job at one of the United Kingdom’s biggest companies: Knight Enterprises

It felt like a dream. A new beginning. My chance to start again, strong, and independent. I promised myself I would no longer depend on anyone’s affection to define my worth.

But fate… fate always had cruel plan for me.

On my first day, I walked into the grand marble floor of Knight Enterprises, clutching my bag tightly. My heart was pounding with so much excitement as I approached the receptionist’s desk.

The lady sitting at the reception with heavy makeup and a faint smile on her cheeks that barely reached her eyes.

“Good morning ma'am,” I greeted softly.

Her gaze lingered on me for a few seconds. Like he was studying me, before she smiled again. “Ah, you're welcome Miss Emma, right? Mr. Knight requested your presence at his office.”

I walked toward his office and stepped into the elevator, I smoothed my dress and took a deep breath. The mirrored walls reflected a woman who was trying her best to appear confident, even when her stomach twisted with nerves.

The elevator doors slid open to the top floor, and I followed the hallway until I reached a large office door.

My fingers were shaking as I held the door handle.

I knocked once and I pushed the door open and the world stopped.

There he was.

Alexander sat behind the massive desk, his posture straight, his presence commanding. A dark suit hugged his broad shoulders, his silver tie perfectly knotted. With those piercing grey eyes lifted to meet mine.

My breath caught in my throat. It was him.

The same man who had made me scream his name under his touch. The same man who I had waited for his calls that never came.

His expression remained calm, too calm. A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes before it vanished behind a mask of icy professionalism.

“Miss Emma,” he said, his tone clipped and controlled. “Welcome to Knight Enterprises.”

I blinked, unable to find a word for a moment. My palms grew sweaty, my chest tightening. I forced a smile that felt like it might crack my face. “Th…Thank you, sir.”

He gestured to the chair opposite him. “Please, have a seat.”

I hesitated, every part of my body was screaming on me to turn around and leave.

But after everything I’d gone through…the job hunt, the heartbreak, the rejection, the sleepless nights. I decided I couldn’t walk away now just like that. I sat down, my spine stiff, trying to ignore the weight of his gaze.

For a moment, silence filled the room. The ticking clock on the wall was the only sound.

But why is acting like he'd never seen me before? After sharing moments of pleasing and exploring each other.

Then he continued, his voice low but firm. “As my personal assistant, you’ll handle my schedule, meetings, and any official correspondence. You’ll be expected to travel occasionally when necessary.”

I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. “I understand, sir.”

His lips curved slightly, a cruel smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared. “Good. I expect efficiency and perfection. This company values loyalty in everything.”

Loyalty. The word stung like a blade.

I wanted to ask him if he even knew what loyalty meant but I bit my tongue. He was my boss now. Whatever happened between us before had no place here.

Still, the air in the room was suffocating. I could feel it pressing against my skin, prickling like static. His eyes lingered on me longer than they should have, and my heart betrayed me by beating faster.

He opened a drawer, pulled out a large envelope, and slid it across the desk toward me.

“What’s this?” I asked, frowning.

“Open it,” he said simply.

I hesitated before tearing the seal. My eyes scanned through the document, confusion filled my head. My mouth went dry as I read line after line, my pulse thundering in my ears.

When I finally looked up, my voice was shaking. “Can you please explain what this is, sir?”

He leaned back slightly, his gaze unreadable. “What did you see?”

“It’s… it’s talking about a contract,” I said slowly. “A marriage contract. Six months marriage contract?”

“Exactly.” His tone was calm, almost indifferent.

My head spun. “I don’t understand. What does this have to do with me?”

He clasped his hands on the desk, his grey eyes locking onto mine. “It has a lot to do with you. I’m asking you to marry me… a fake marriage for six months.”

The words hit me like a bullet. I stared at him, sure I’d misheard. “Excuse me.”

“Yes, you heard me well. This business and I don't joke when it comes to business,” he replied coolly.

“This arrangement would protect my public image. The public are saying things I couldn't afford to keep silent. Proving to be responsible by getting a partner would help me to overcome that.”

I blinked rapidly, my throat tight. “So you want me to pretend to be your wife?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “You’ll live in my house, attend events with me, and act as if we’re a perfect couple.”

I swallowed hard, struggling to breathe. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to understand what he was asking me to do.

“Why me?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Because I trust you,” he said quietly.

“You trust me? This is my first of work and you're asking me to marry you. A fake marriage?

It's not for free. You'll be well compensated. Financially, and…” He paused. “You will also be promoted.”

I stared at the document in my hand, shaking, my reflection faintly visible in the glossy surface of his desk.

Alexander Knight, the man who I expected to call for weeks, is now asking me to marry him. A fake marriage.

I looked up slowly, meeting his gaze. “I can't do these?”

He smiled cruelly, the same cruel smile that I used to know about him.

I think you should think about it before you make your choice.

The air between us thickened again, heavy with unspoken emotions, buried memories, and something else, something dangerously close to desire.

And just like that, I realized that fate wasn’t done with me yet.