Then his real father had appeared. The old man had shown Lily photos of Rio’s real fiancée — a shipping heiress. “Step aside, little flower,” the tycoon had sneered. “Or he loses everything.”
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“He told me,” Rio said quietly. “On his deathbed, three months ago. The photos. The threats. Your ridiculous, sacrificial letter.” He set down the coffee and walked toward her. “You broke my heart to save my future. And I spent five years hating you for it.” Then his real father had appeared
Rio’s gaze dropped to her mouth. “Then I sell everything tomorrow. Your employees — your elderly manager, Mabel, who needs hip surgery — will be on the street. Your grandmother’s rose garden, the one you’ve kept alive since you were twelve, becomes a parking lot.” “Or he loses everything
To save her family’s legacy, a down-on-her-luck florist agrees to a cold, temporary marriage with the ruthless billionaire who once broke her heart — but she never expected to fall for him again. Chapter One Rio Karras didn’t ask. He demanded.
Rio stepped inside without being invited. His suit was Savile Row, his watch a Patek Philippe, and his presence filled her cramped flat like a tidal wave. “Your father owed me more than you know. And now you owe me.”
“I don’t want six months.” He cupped her face. “I want forever. But I was too proud to say it. So I wrote a contract instead.”