"Are you seriously considering marrying me?" Nathan asked, his gaze fixed on the hospital room window. Inside, the medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize his grandfather. George Cross was the only family Nathan had left, and he might not survive the night.
Claire shook her head. "Mr. Cross misunderstood."
Claire had indeed thought about finding someone to act as her husband—a solution to reassure her mother and finally sever ties with Ethan. But marriage wasn't a game. She couldn't marry Nathan, a man she hardly knew, just because she wanted a convenient way out.
Inside the room, George Cross remained critical. Neither Nathan nor Claire spoke further until a doctor emerged half an hour later.
"Mr. Cross's condition is very grave. He may not make it through the night," the doctor said solemnly.
Nathan's expression was cold and distant, though his clenched fists betrayed his pain. "Spare no expense. Use the best medications available."
The doctor hesitated. "While advanced treatments can maintain his vital signs, they won't change the outcome. You should consider his wishes carefully."
Money could buy medicine, but it couldn't buy more time.
Nathan knew that. George Cross had always told him he didn't want to be kept alive by machines. For years, his grandfather's greatest regret had been not seeing Nathan marry. He wanted Nathan to start a family so he would have loved ones beyond the Cross name.
Yesterday, George had snuck out of the hospital. Somehow, he had met Claire Harper. Now, the dying man was convinced that Claire was the one for Nathan.
Nathan couldn't understand his grandfather's choice. He remembered Claire from high school: the once-spoiled heiress of the Harper family who had strutted around campus as if she owned it. Back then, Nathan, struggling to make ends meet, had found her arrogance unbearable.
But that was ten years ago. People changed. The woman standing before him now seemed different.
The doctor's words lingered in Nathan's mind, and he made a sudden decision. "If you marry me, name your terms."
Claire stepped back, startled. "Mr. Cross, you're misunderstanding me!"
If George Cross weren't lying in critical condition, Claire would have scolded Nathan for his impulsiveness.
Nathan opened his mouth to argue further, but Claire's phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was Ethan's assistant. Without hesitation, she declined the call. Moments later, a text came through: Miss Harper, Mr. Sterling would like to meet you at the Red House Restaurant at 7 PM.
Claire ignored the message, but the phone rang again. This time, it was her mother.
"Claire, Ethan called me. He said his mother may have said something harsh, but you shouldn't take it seriously. He told me not to worry." Grace's voice trembled. "Claire, talk to him. Your happiness is more important than anything else."
"Mom," Claire interrupted. "Why are you delaying your wedding to Richard Carter?"
Grace faltered. "It's just not the right time."
Claire knew better than to believe her mother's excuses.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Nathan. "Mom, the reason I broke up with Ethan isn't what you think. I've already found someone new. He's an old classmate of mine from high school."
"Is this true?" Grace's disbelief was palpable.
"Of course. I'll bring him to meet you when the time is right." Claire's heart raced as she hung up.
"Nathan," she said hesitantly, "about your earlier proposal—does it still stand?"
Nathan didn't mock her sudden change of heart.
For him, this wasn't just a marriage of convenience—it was a way to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. He needed a wife, and Claire needed a husband. Their goals aligned.
"What do you want in return?" Nathan asked, his tone calm.
Claire thought carefully. "A prenuptial agreement."
Nathan nodded. "Fair enough."
Nathan made a call, and within minutes, his lawyer arrived at the hospital with a draft agreement. Claire outlined her terms to the lawyer: "Each party will be responsible for their own pre-marriage debts, and our finances will remain separate after marriage. Don't misunderstand—I'm not trying to protect myself from him, but I have significant debts, and I don't want them to affect him."
Her honesty caught Nathan off guard. It was unexpected, and it shifted his perception of her.
"Transparency is the foundation of any partnership. If you're upfront with me, I'll do the same," Nathan said.
After reviewing the document, Nathan asked the lawyer to add one clause: If Nathan initiates the divorce, Claire will receive the property at Seaside Gardens as compensation.
Seaside Gardens was a high-end residential community known for its luxury apartments. Even the smallest units were 1,500 square feet, and only the wealthy could afford to live there.
Claire was stunned. "Why would you include that? This is just an arrangement between us. If we part ways, we'll do so amicably."
Nathan frowned slightly. "A divorced woman faces more challenges than a man. Consider it my compensation for the trouble I'd cause you."
Claire hesitated, then reluctantly agreed. She figured she could always be the one to initiate the divorce if necessary, rendering the clause irrelevant.
"Thank you," she said softly.
With the agreement finalized, they each retrieved their household registration documents. They met at the civil affairs office later that afternoon, where the staff barely had time to process their hurried paperwork before closing.
As Claire hurried into the building, Nathan was already waiting, calm and composed.
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" Claire teased as they waited for their turn.
Nathan glanced at his watch. "I've already decided. And we're running out of time."
The photographer tasked with taking their marriage certificate photo complimented how well they looked together. "It's a joyous occasion! Smile!"
Claire forced a smile, and Nathan managed a polite smirk.
They left the office holding their freshly stamped marriage certificate. Outside, Claire stared at the document in her hands, feeling dazed. She had just gotten married—was this the right decision?
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Ethan's assistant. She answered.
"Miss Harper, where should we send the car to pick you up for tonight's dinner?" the assistant asked politely.
"Please inform Ethan that I won't be coming. And tell him not to contact me again—I'm married now. My husband wouldn't like it," Claire replied firmly.
The assistant was silent for a long moment before responding, "I must have misheard. Did you say… husband?"
"You heard me correctly. I got married today," Claire replied, then hung up.
Nathan, who had overheard the conversation, didn't comment. But Claire felt the need to explain. "That was my ex. Don't worry—I'll honor our marriage. I won't cross any boundaries."
Nathan appreciated her candidness. As brief as their acquaintance had been, she was proving to be straightforward and reliable.
Before either of them could say more, Nathan's phone rang. The hospital informed him that George Cross had taken a turn for the worse.