Nancy stormed back into the cabin, slamming the door hard enough to make Adrian jump. He stood from his seat, alarmed.
"What happened?"
"There was someone outside," she snapped. "A woman. Fancy coat. Camera in hand. She said our 'contract ends when the truth comes out.'"
Adrian's jaw tightened. "What did she look like?"
"Corporate snake," Nancy spat. "You'd probably know her better than I do."
He rubbed his temples. "It has to be Camille. She's been trying to monitor everything."
"Monitor?" Nancy echoed, her voice rising. "She's spying! Adrian, this isn't just about faking some couple photos anymore. Someone is trying to destroy me."
"I won't let that happen."
She crossed her arms, glaring. "Then start telling me the whole truth. About your family. About the will. About why I'm really here."
Adrian hesitated.
"I married you to keep the board off my back," he admitted. "The will states that if I'm not married by my birthday, my uncle gets controlling interest of the company. My grandmother insisted on someone 'humble and grounded.' Someone the media couldn't spin."
"So I was a checklist," Nancy said bitterly. "College girl with a tragic backstory and zero PR scandals. Perfect wife material for a cold-hearted CEO."
"It wasn't meant to get this far."
"But it has, hasn't it?"
He stepped closer. "I didn't expect you to matter this much."
Nancy looked up at him, eyes sharp. "Too late for sweet words now, Adrian. We're in the middle of a war I didn't sign up for."
She turned away, heading for her room.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To change out of this emotional mess. When I'm done, we're going to talk like two people whose futures are about to be shredded."
---
Meanwhile – Camille's Office
Camille clicked through the photos on her laptop, zooming in on Nancy's shocked expression.
"We leak this at the right time," she muttered, "and their little fairytale shatters."
Her assistant nodded. "The press will eat it up."
Camille smiled. "Let the games begin."
---
Back in the Cabin
Nancy reemerged, now in jeans and a hoodie, her hair tied back like she meant business.
Adrian looked at her like he was seeing a storm approach.
She sat across from him at the table. "Let's list our enemies. Camille. Your uncle. The entire PR department. Anyone else?"
He gave a grim nod. "The board. And maybe… Lily."
Nancy arched a brow. "Your ex?"
"She's back in town. And she's working with Camille."
Nancy leaned back. "Perfect. The ex-girlfriend turned corporate spy. What is this, a soap opera?"
Adrian gave a dry laugh. "Feels like it."
"Alright," Nancy said. "Let's make a new deal. We fake it smarter. Play their game. But we control the narrative."
"And after that?"
Her gaze hardened. "After that, I want out. Clean break. No contract. No kiss. No confusion."
Adrian nodded.
But his heart sank.
Because he wasn't sure he could walk away.