Sophie's POV
I followed them outside, not wanting to miss a thing.
"Amaya, please wait," Ethan called out.
"Why are you rushing away?" he asked when she finally stopped.
I walked over and stood beside him, slipping seamlessly into character. I wasn't going to let some mysterious woman ruin the performance I'd just put on for the cameras.
"You didn't tell me you were engaged," she said, her voice calm but laced with edge.
"I was going to tell you," he replied.
Her eyes landed on me, and I instantly felt the shift—the sudden, unmistakable dislike. Like I was a puzzle piece that didn't fit in her picture of Ethan.
I held her gaze, slipping my hand through Ethan's arm.
Was she an ex or something?
Whatever. Whoever she was—she felt like a threat to my mission.
Ethan looked at me, slightly puzzled by the sudden gesture.
"I hope to see you at our wedding. Ethan has told me so much about you," I said with a smile, acting completely oblivious to the tension.
She clenched her fist slightly, around her bag.
And smiled back.
But I could tell—it was forced.
"You called me over for your surprise wedding?" she said to Ethan, her voice sharp.
"Amaya, I promise I'll explain everything to you later. For now, I have—"
"To run. Yeah, you're always busy," she cut in coldly. "I'm going to my family house."
"Baby, there's not much time," I said, glancing at my watch. Then, without thinking, I reached out and tilted Ethan's chin to face me.
I didn't even know why I did it... but it felt good. Powerful.
She turned and walked away without another word. Her hips swaying as she moved towards her cab. And we watched, until the car was finally out of sight.
"Baby?" Ethan repeated, brushing my hand off. "Stop overplaying your role. And don't ever call me that, cringe as fuck."
"Seriously? But it was okay when you held my hand. Couples use pet names even if it's fake. Of course, you wouldn't get it. All you care about is work."
He didn't say anything.
Which was strange.
Because from what I knew about Ethan Petrov—he never let a sentence go unanswered.
"My PA, Mr. Parker, will drop you off," he finally said, getting into another car.
I stood there, surprised.
I thought we had plans?
Before I could say a word, his car zoomed off, and Mr. Parker approached me.
"Let's go, ma'am," he said, gesturing towards the car.
"It's fine. I'll find my way," I replied, turning to leave.
"But Mr. Ethan—"
"Just see this as a day off," I said, walking away without looking back.
Ethan didn't know it, but he'd just done me a favor.
I tilted my head back and let out a long yawn. What a morning.
I was going to get home and make up for all the sleep I'd lost.
But one thing kept bugging me—why did Ethan's entire mood shift after seeing Amaya?
She wasn't just some random person. That much was obvious.
She seemed to have a hold on him. And that made her dangerous.
I couldn't believe I missed her. I have to find out about her—ASAP.
I looked down at the diamond ring, holding it up to the sunlight.
It sparkled brilliantly. A perfect lie.
"Wow. I can't wait to sell this," I muttered to myself with a grin.
Something told me this job was going to come with plenty of side benefits.
I ducked into a nearby thrift store and changed into baggy pants and a hoodie, sliding on my nerd glasses and tying up my hair.
The red gown went straight into a shopping bag.
I pulled out my special phone and flipped it open.
A flood of texts from Alex Grey filled the screen.
"What is the meaning of what I'm seeing?"
"You're getting married to Ethan Petrov?"
"I need answers!"
I scrolled through the endless messages, each one practically vibrating with urgency.
"It's all part of the plan. Within three months, I'll get you results," I replied quickly.
But before I could tuck the phone away, another message popped up:
"Let's meet immediately, so I can understand you."
I stared at the screen a moment longer.
He was even more impatient than I thought.
But I had a policy—one I never compromised on.
I only met clients twice: once to hear what they had in mind, and once to collect my money.
Cash only. No exceptions.
"We'll meet after three months," I texted back, then slipped the phone away and stepped out of the store.
I just needed to get this mission over with so I could finally have a little peace from Alex Grey.
He was desperate, making it a little too obvious.
Like his entire life depended on securing that contract.
And as for Ethan?
He may be cold. Rude. Infuriating.
But one thing's for sure—I've got his attention now.
And I'm not letting go until I get what I came for.
Ethan's POV
Everything was going smoothly.
I had killed two birds with one stone with this sudden engagement.
But the truth?
Getting married—fake or not—was something I never wanted.
Having someone, a complete stranger, in my space felt like an invasion of my world.
With everything happening at once, I'd completely forgotten that I'd invited Amaya over.
She would've been perfect for this role.
And now?
She probably felt blindsided… hurt that I hadn't told her before the announcement blew up.
And if that wasn't enough, there was Nana.
Almost immediately, my phone rang—*Nana.*
I sighed before picking it up. As if she was reading my exact thoughts.
"You finally answered my call," she snapped, skipping any greeting.
"I'm sorry. I've been really busy," I said.
"What is this I'm seeing on the news?" she demanded.
"It's the truth. I'm sorry I didn't tell you first."
"I'm very upset with you. You never even agreed to tell me her name—and now you're engaged? You hid this from me, Ethan. I expected better," she said sharply.
"If it weren't for the reporters, you probably would've gotten married and had children without me knowing!"
"I wouldn't dare, Nana. She just got into the country. I was planning to introduce you two—really. But... everything happened so fast."
"Excuses. You don't regard me. I don't want to see your face until you bring her over," she snapped and ended the call.
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck.
This whole thing was already taking a toll on me.
I brought out my phone, scrolling through the news—my engagement was the headline on nearly every blog and news outlet.
I kept scrolling through the pictures of us, my eyes catching on one in particular.
She was smiling like she'd just won a trophy.
Anna Walter.
Was it really just a coincidence?
Her being in my room, the sudden paparazzi, and now this fake engagement—it had all happened so fast.
Too fast.
I knew I'd made a split-second decision, driven by pressure and circumstance.
The government contract was more important than anything else right now—the most important thing.
But still… something didn't sit right.
There was something off about her, something beneath the surface.
And there was only one way to find out.
I glanced at the background information I'd already asked her to write.
The basics were there.
The rest…
I'd find out myself.
Because if there was one thing I trusted—it was my instincts. And right now? They were screaming.
She was too smooth. The way she inserted herself between me and Amaya, the way she handled the reporters, the way she smiled like she had nothing to lose.
And yet, despite all the warning bells, I let her wear my ring. I let her stand beside me in front of the world.
Why?
Because I needed a win. Because the contract was on the line. Because I panicked.
And now I'd have to deal with the consequences.
I tapped a finger on the desk.
"Get me a private investigator," I texted Mr. Parker. "Discreet."