The CEO's Accidental Bride
The elevator glided to a smooth stop on the top floor of Kane International, and Jane stepped out into a world that didn't feel real.
The office was more like a luxury penthouse — walls of glass with a panoramic view of the city, black marble floors polished to a mirror finish, and a massive desk that looked like it belonged in a museum.
Alexander walked ahead without slowing, his presence commanding the room like he owned the air itself. Which, in a way, he did.
Jane followed, still very aware of the diamond ring now heavy on her finger. It glittered under the lights, sharp and cold — a perfect metaphor for the man who'd put it there.
"You'll need a dress," Alexander said, stopping beside his desk and picking up a folder. "Tonight is a charity gala. You'll be attending as my fiancée."
Jane blinked. "Tonight? You couldn't have given me more than a few hours' notice?"
He looked up, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "Would it matter? You'd still argue."
Her mouth opened, then closed again. He wasn't entirely wrong.
Before she could reply, the glass doors opened and a tall, willowy woman in a red designer dress swept in. She looked like she'd stepped straight out of a fashion magazine — flawless makeup, perfectly styled hair, and a diamond necklace that screamed old money.
"Alex," she purred, ignoring Jane entirely as she leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I didn't realize you were… busy."
Jane's stomach tightened at the casual intimacy in her tone.
"Clara," Alexander said evenly. "This is Jane Miller. My fiancée."
The other woman's perfectly arched brows shot up, her gaze finally sliding to Jane with the kind of polite disdain only the rich had mastered. She gave her a slow, assessing once-over, and Jane had never felt more like she was wearing a thrift-store dress in a designer showroom.
"How… unexpected," Clara said with a faint smile. "Congratulations, I suppose."
Jane forced a tight smile back. "Thanks. I suppose."
Alexander's smirk deepened, but he didn't intervene.
Clara turned back to him, her voice lowering slightly. "You'll be at the gala tonight, yes?"
"Of course," he said, then glanced at Jane. "We'll both be there."
Clara's eyes lingered on Jane a moment longer before she nodded and swept out of the office, leaving a faint trail of expensive perfume behind.
Jane crossed her arms. "Friend of yours?"
"An old acquaintance," Alexander said, his tone unreadable. "You'll be seeing more of her. She's on the gala's organizing committee."
Jane had the sinking feeling "acquaintance" was a polite word for something much more complicated.
That Evening
Jane barely recognized herself in the mirror. The floor-length black gown Alexander had sent fit like it was made for her, its sleek design hugging her curves without being indecent. Her hair was pinned in an elegant updo, and diamond earrings — real diamonds, she was sure — dangled from her ears.
She looked like she belonged in his world.
Almost.
The gala was held in a ballroom dripping with chandeliers and lined with tables covered in white silk. Cameras flashed as Alexander led her in, his hand resting lightly at the small of her back. The touch was just enough to guide her… and to remind her she was playing a role.
"Smile," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "You're supposed to be in love with me."
Jane smiled — at the cameras, not at him.
Inside, she quickly learned two things: everyone knew Alexander, and everyone wanted to know her. Questions flew at her from every direction, from the harmless ("How did you two meet?") to the invasive ("When's the wedding?").
And then Clara appeared again, a glass of champagne in hand.
"I see you clean up nicely," she said sweetly. "For someone who wasn't exactly… groomed for this lifestyle."
Jane's smile didn't falter. "Funny, I was about to say the same thing about you. For someone who seems groomed to lose gracefully."
Clara's eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, Alexander appeared at Jane's side, his arm slipping around her waist in a move that was far too natural.
"Everything alright here?" he asked, his gaze flicking between them.
"Perfect," Jane said, matching Clara's fake smile.
But Clara wasn't finished. She leaned closer, her voice just loud enough for Jane to hear. "Careful, darling. Men like Alexander don't marry women like you for love."
Jane's pulse spiked — and she was about to snap back when a voice behind her announced loudly:
"Alexander Kane, congratulations! We can't wait to meet your father-in-law."
Jane froze.
Father-in-law?
She didn't have one.
Jane turns to see a reporter smiling at her expectantly… while Alexander's gaze darkens, as though someone has just said the one thing he didn't want spoken aloud.