Lily's eyes fluttered open, squinting against the bright rays of the morning sun streaming through the panoramic windows. She gasped, taking in her surroundings... this was most definitely not the budget hotel room she had rented. She tried to recall how she ended up there. She felt a headache as she tried to think straight.
The beautiful colours on the walls, the plush king-sized bed, the vaulted ceilings, the pristine modern furnishings, everything screamed opulent wealth and riches. Then something caught her eyes, it was the glittering diamond ring on her left hand that made Lily's heart stop. She held her hand upwards, staring at it in shock."What the hell did I do last night? Where am I ?" she croaked out, looking around, cradling her pounding head as flashes came back in fragmented memories.There was drinking...so much drinking to erase bthe pain of catching Ryan with another woman. Then the unexplainable urge to get back at him, the thought of killing him or putting a ring on her own finger out of anger. And then, the mystery man in the brinoi vanguish she had accosted and all but forced to marry her."You're finally awake, I see."Lily turned her head toward the deep voice. She felt a sharp pain in her head. There stood the man from last night, leaning against the doorframe in an expensive-looking robe. Her eyes widened as she saw him."Don't worry, sweetheart, I can have the staff bring you some water and painkillers and probably tea to keep you still " James said in a low, smooth rumble. "The tea will help you with your hangover.""Wait...you're...we're..." Lily's eyes widened in panic as it all came crashing back, she bit her lower lips.James chuckled dryly. "Indeed we are dear. I believe the Rev congratulated us as 'Mr. and Mrs. James Watson' last night." he chuckled again."What the hell!," Lily groaned, burying her face in her hands. This can't happen right, it's a dream. Sure, her last memories involved her drunkenly demanding this total stranger marry her on the spot. But she never imagined he'd actually go through with it, she never imagined it was even real!"I know this is...unorthodox," James started, moving to take a seat on the edge of the bed. "But we're both adults here. We'll figure this out."" Figure this out!... why did you agree with a drunk woman?" she started narrowing her eyes in disbelief." I'm sorry... I... just..." he took a deep breath. "But sorry to disappoint you, there is actually nothing we can do now" he said.Lily peeked at him warily through her fingers, realization hitting her once more at how insanely wealthy and powerful her new "husband" seemed to be. Just who had she gotten herself tangled up with?"Well, I guess we should start with introductions," James went on, holding out his hand. "While I know you already drunkenly proposed and married me all in one go...perhaps we could do this properly?"She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.She reluctantly took his hand, giving it a weak shake. "Lily. Lily Walker."" You can call me James" he smiled."Charmed, Lily," he gave her hand a lingering squeeze before releasing it. "Though I imagine you're hardly feeling that way currently," he laughed."You think?" Lily snickered, falling back against the pillows. "I basically just wrecked my entire life Damn!"."Don't be so hard on yourself. You were a nonstandard bride, sure, but I did agree to take those vows with you, whether you forced my hand or not". James smirked.Lily felt herself getting flustered under his intense hazel-eyed gaze. The man certainly cut an intimidatingly attractive figure, even rumpled from sleep and wearing that sinfully luxurious robe. He was definitely charming and good with words.Sensing her discomfort, James adjusted to a more businesslike tone. "Look, I don't make a habit of drunk weddings to strangers. Believe me, I have a strict personality, and I'm not the one to play around. But you were in a compromised state and I felt it was best to remove you from that situation. I'm not always like that.""And marrying me off to you was somehow the solution?" Lily replied in disbelief.James shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm a billionaire, Lily. With endless resources. If this temporary arrangement can provide you with a soft landing while you get back on your feet, I'm happy to help. In return, you will be my woman."Lily opened her mouth to protest, but James raised his hand to stop her."At the very least, let me have my butler bring you some proper clothes and breakfast before you decide if you'd prefer to leave." His expression softened. "No matter what, you're safe here. "Something about the tender glint in his eye made Lily's defenses lower slightly, she felt submissive to this stranger. As if he truly wanted to care for her, despite this madness.Before she could respond, there was a light knock at the door. "Pardon me, sir. But Miss Adams has arrived and is quite...insistent on speaking with you."Lily's brow furrowed in confusion as James pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling impatiently."Very well then, let her wait for me in the parlor, I will be down shortly. This... is about to become even more complicated..."" Let's go" he urged her. Before she could say a word, he was already at the door.Lily trailed hesitantly behind James down the winding marble staircase, tugging self-consciously at the fancy silk robe he'd loaned her. Even among the mansion's opulent splendor, an impeccably dressed blonde stood out like a sore thumb.She whipped around as they descended the last step, eyes blazing with fury when she spotted the rumpled Lily."James Watson, what in God's name is the meaning of this?" the woman spat out angrily.James sighed heavily. "Yes, beautiful morning to you too Chloe. Do come in please."He guided Lily swiftly past the seething blonde and into what appeared to be the living room."I believe some introductions are needed," he began in a soothingly crisp tone. "Lily, this is Chloe Adams. Chloe, this is my wife, Lily Watson."he smiled.Lily felt her stomach drop at those last two words. Wife. She was this billionaire's actual, legally-wedded wife now. Unbelievable.Chloe sputtered in outraged disbelief. "Wife? James, I misheard you right. Because there is no way this..." her eyes raked over Lily's rumpled appearance with scorn, "...waif of a woman could possibly be your wife, James!""Oh, sorry, hello, well I am". Lily surprised herself by piping up with a weird smile. Something about this Chloe's snide, superior attitude struck a nerve. "We got married last night," she said, flattering her ring.Chloe opened her mouth, then closed it abruptly as the realization hit her. She turned back slowly to James, who simply gave a curt nod of confirmation."So after all the years our families cultivated this arrangement...you went and married a complete stranger?" Chloe's voice dripped with icy venom. "Good God, James, how could you be so reckless and impulsive?" she said, trying to hold back her tears."Sorry" Lily whispered."I appreciate the dire situation this puts you in, Chloe," James' tone remained measured. "But I'm afraid my hands were tied last night. You can either accept the circumstances, or-""You arrogant ass!," Chloe cut him off, jabbing a perfectly manicured fingernail into his chest. "If you think I'll stand idly while you disrespect me like this...then you have to think again James."With that, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the entrance."This isn't over, James Watson!" she called out over her shoulder furiously. "And as for you..." Her eyes narrowed to slits as they landed on Lily. "I'll make you regret the day you ever dared to cross me bitch!."Then she was gone, leaving an unsettled silence in the atmosphere. Lily looked over at James, suddenly very aware of what she'd gotten herself into."Damn!" she said.Lily let out a shaky breath once Chloe had disappeared. "Well, she seems...lovely"."Don't worry about Chloe's threatens", James waved a dismissive hand. "She's all bark and no bite most of the time. Everything will be fine.""I wouldn't be so sure about that." James and Lily turned to see a stylishly dressed man strolling into the living room, a bemused smirk on his face. He had an easy, laidback demeanor about him."Louis, my own very voice, what's up" James gave him a sardonic smile. "Coming from someone whose faith in me is staggering as always"Louis clicked his tongue teasingly. "You know I've got your back, J. But you also know the Adams crew aren't to be underestimated." He looked over at Lily with an appraising glance. "No offense to the newly wedded wifey, but getting drunk-married to some random bird has properly stuck a hornet's nest with that insufferable Chloe.""Watch who you're calling a random bird, Mister," Lily arched an eyebrow. Even rumpled in James' borrowed ro
They finally came to a stop as they got off the elevator. They were ushered to the waiting room as she was informed that he had been wheeled into surgery.Shortly after, Maggie joined them in the waiting room. She looked at James with confusion but didn't say anything.The hospital waiting room felt suffocatingly tense as Lily sat sandwiched between James and her cousin Maggie. Her father had been urgently wheeled into surgery, and now all they could do was anxiously await an update.Maggie kept shooting furtive, confused glances between Lily and the intimidatingly wealthy-looking James Watson, trying to keep her cool. For his part, James simply held Lily's hand in a reassuring grip, his presence remarkably calming despite the chaos.After what felt like an eternity, a haggard-looking doctor in scrubs entered and made a beeline for them. "Family of Michael Walker?"They all rose to their feet expectantly as the doctor clasped his hands grimly. "I'll be direct with you. Your father's
The courtroom felt like a arena of hostility, tensions crackling thick in the air. On one side sat Chloe and her vernomous family legal team, radiating icy disdain. Opposite them, the regal elderly woman named Granny Daphne held court imperiously, clearly not one to be trifled with.And in the middle, Lily sat sandwiched between James and the attorney he'd hired to represent them - looking every bit the proverbial fish out of water."Your Honor, this entire situation is a despicable sham concocted by that girl and my grandson," Granny Daphne declared in ringing tones, taking the floor first. "But make no mistake, their marriage vows were very much legally binding."She turned to fix Lily with a withering look. "Despite Miss Walker's...compromised state at the time, I can vouch that my grandson acted with full capacities. He upheld the letter of the law to a conditional wife, even under suspect circumstances."Lily felt herself shrink slightly in her seat as murmurs rippled through the
Chapter 6As the decide's final ruling echoed thru the demanding court docket, Lily felt a regular experience of clear up wash over her. She became now legally bound to this enigmatic billionaire, James Watson, whether or not or not she had intended it or now not. And irrespective of the swirling vortex of chaos surrounding them, she discovered herself oddly comforted by way of the use of his steadfast presence.When the choose officially adjourned the hearing, Chloe and her circle of relatives stormed out in a huff, spewing venomous glares at Lily and James as they went. Lily couldn't help however turn away slightly under their scalding animosity. This became a ways from over.Once the court had cleared out, keep for the few lingering journalists, James located a reassuring hand at the small of Lily's once more. "Well, that changed into in fact an eventful first day as Mrs. Watson, could now not you are saying?" he murmured with a rueful snigger.Lily glanced up at him, forehead crea
Chapter 7The following couple of days had been a whirlwind for Lily as she juggled her father's fitness crisis and the developing media frenzy surrounding her surprising marriage to James Watson. After the dramatic showdown within the court docket, Lily had again to the clinic with a renewed experience of desire, buoyed by using James' swift movement in bringing within the renowned Dr. Callahan to take over her father's care. Michael Walker's condition had stabilized, and the outstanding cardiac physician had assured the own family that he turned into carefully constructive approximately Michael's possibilities for recuperation.But Lily's respite from the chaos was quick-lived. As soon as information of the Watson marriage and Ryan's downfall hit the headlines, the vultures descended in full pressure. Paparazzi camped out relentlessly on the hospital, snapping photographs and shouting invasive questions any time Lily stepped outside. The tabloid headlines had been a never-ending ba
Chapter 8After James had rushed off to have a tendency to his grandmother, Lily found herself alone within the health center room, the load of the whole lot pressing down on her. Her father's precarious fitness, the constant media scrutiny, Chloe's vicious blackmail scheme - it became all becoming an excessive amount of to undergo.Lily glanced at her father's slumbering form, his face gaunt and light, and felt her coronary heart clench. She reached out and lightly squeezed his hand, silently inclined him to pull via. "I'm so sorry, Dad," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I never meant for any of this to happen."She sat again in her chair, trying to accumulate her mind. Chloe's chilling words echoed in her thoughts, the chance of her "sordid past" being exposed sending a kick back down Lily's backbone. Whatever skeletons had been in her closet, Chloe has decided to use them against her.Lily's thoughts raced, seeking to figure out a way to cope with this modern crisis. She c
Chapter 9Lily took a deep breath as she strode out of the hospital, her thoughts racing with the sports that had simply unfolded. Chloe's despicable threats weighed heavily on her, but she knew that she had to put an end to this as soon as all.she was filled with tension throughout the ride to the press conference. So many things ran through her mind. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing or not, but she knew that she had to do something.As she stepped out of the car, she ended up greeted by a swarm of newshounds and paparazzi, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust in her face. Squaring her shoulders, Lily raised a hand to quiet the cacophony."Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here in recent times," she said, her voice clean and constant. "I recognize there has been plenty of hypothesis and rumor surrounding my marriage to James Watson, and I'm right here to set the document immediately."She paused, collecting her thoughts. "It's real that our wedding c
Chapter 10The medical institution room turned deathly silent, keeping for the consistent beep of the machines tracking Granny Daphne's vitals. James sat beside her bed, his forehead furrowed with worry as he watched the upward push and fall of her chest.When the decision was available Daphne's crumbled, his coronary heart had almost stopped. She turned into the one consistent in his existence, the unwavering pillar of assistance that was visible to him through even the darkest of instances. The thought of dropping her turned into a pain he couldn't even start to fathom.But as he sat there, keeping vigil by way of her aspect, his mind stored drifting again to Lily. Maggie's frantic telephone name had sent him into a tailspin, his belly knotting with fear at the thought of Lily going through Chloe by myself.He must be there, along with her, shielding her from the vicious schemes of the Adams circle of relatives. Not here, powerless to do something but wait.A tender groan from the m