My One-month Contract marriage and his Three-month redemption
Louis Smith never believed in love, he always thought of it as a dead weight. Claire Montgomery never allowed herself to hope for it.
When a one-month contract marriage becomes the only way for him to secure the CEO seat heās worked for his entire life, he is left to ask the one person he found fittingā and she agrees because deep down she would love to fully understand the complexities of the marriage her friends have idolized. Sheās been quietly carrying the weight of family expectations, personal insecurities, and the fear of being alone in a world that measures women by their marital status. Accepting this contract is her chance to step into control of her own story, even if itās only for a month.
Living together, sharing small moments, pretending to be a married couple⦠it doesnāt stay pretend for long. The walls theyāve built around their hearts begin to crumble, leaving them vulnerable in ways neither anticipated. And when fear, pride, and past pain collide, the contract ends and so does the fragile trust theyāve started to build.
For him, it becomes a lesson in loss. For her, a test of self-respect. And for both, the realization that love doesnāt follow contracts or timelines.
Now he has three months to prove heās more than the man who walked away⦠to show her that love isnāt something you fear, itās something worth fighting for.
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Ā Ā āMarry meā he said, in the most calm expression.
Ā Ā I felt the breath leave my lungs.Ā āI beg your pardon?ā
āI know this is probably coming off as a shock to youā he says, seated on his chair, arms propped forward, resting on his desk.
Ā Ā āYou thinkā I respond, sarcastically. Hoping I had just heard wrong.Ā
Ā Ā āThis is not a joke, I am being very serious.ā he said calmly.
Ā Ā āYouāre⦠proposing?ā I asked faintly.
Ā āYes.ā he answers coolly.
Ā Ā I shook my head, confused. āBut, Iām your secretary, you are my boss.āĀ
Ā Ā āIām aware, which is why I trust you. You donāt seem to be interested in me, Iāve watched you for two years,ā he said evenly. āYouāve never tried to step beyond your role, never used familiarity as leverage.ā
Ā Ā Iām still thoroughly confused, āSir, If this is some sick joke or a test or some sort of of stress induced breakdown, Iāll suggest you inform your doctor.ā
Ā Ā He laughed quietly, and I was surprised. He looks really handsome when he laughs.Ā
Ā Ā āIām perfectly sane,ā he replied with a hint of humor in his voice. āSit down. Please.ā