Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter Two

Carol frowned. "...Is it really that dramatic? Though, I gotta admit, the name Ethan does ring a bell."

"He's literally Riverton's business Grim Reaper, always popping up in finance news. Of course he sounds familiar!"

Sophia grabbed her wrist, clearly freaking out. "Stop, don't change the subject! How could you agree to marry him?! The doctors said he's got, what, two months left tops? Babe, even if you're hellbent on being a widow, this is way too reckless!"

Something clicked in Sophia's head and before Carol could respond, she turned pale, rolling up her sleeves like she was ready to throw down. "Don't tell me it was your dad and that awful stepmom of yours who made you do it? I'm going to have a little 'chat' with them!"

Carol quickly stopped her hot-headed bestie, gently shaking her head. "No one forced me. I said yes on my own."

She paused, her tone unusually calm, like it wasn't her life they were talking about. "Honestly, yeah, I was kinda impulsive when I found out Ryan cheated. But thinking about it now... it's not the worst outcome. Becoming a widow in the Mitchell family beats being stuck with a scumbag any day."

"You think being the rich widow of some elite family is that simple?" Sophia was practically pacing now, angry and anxious at once. "They're obviously marrying him off now just so he can leave an heir! Once you're in, there's no way out!"

Carol let out a chuckle, her grin looking carefree-too carefree. "What's so hard about it? I'll just steer clear of him. Two months in hiding, wait till he's gone, then boom-freedom."

Before she could finish her thought, two large men in black suits had silently appeared by their table. The one in front wore a poker face, his voice respectful but firm. "Ms. Bennett, please come with us. Mr. Mitchell would like to see you."

...

Carol got into the black Bentley, flanked by the two suited bodyguards as the car quietly sped toward the outskirts of Riverton. It eventually pulled up to an upscale, heavily guarded medical facility, surrounded by trees and silence.

She was led into a sleek, modern room that had a wide view and that distinct hospital-disinfectant smell hanging in the air.

The suited man knocked on the door. "Sir, Ms. Bennett has arrived."

"Let her in." A deep, slightly hoarse voice responded from inside. Though tinged with weakness, there was an undeniable air of authority.

Carol pushed the door open, her eyes immediately landing on the lounge chair by the window.

The man was half-reclining there, a light gray cashmere throw over him. One hand rested outside the blanket-long fingers, sharp knuckles, and a clean, elegant bone structure.

His skin was pale, like carved alabaster-strikingly beautiful, but cold, as if he might crack under a fingertip.

Yet that fragility didn't dull his good looks at all-in fact, it gave him a strange allure.

His features were sharp, with striking symmetry. High brow bones, a straight nose, strong jawline, and thin lips set into a hard line-his face looked like it belonged on the cover of a magazine, the kind that made hearts race.

Even though his face was pale and his breathing uneven, he still carried a cold, distant vibe-as if he was some priceless artifact meant to be admired from afar, never touched.

Carol felt her heartbeat hitch for a second.

This man was way better looking than those trendy celeb guys.

The disgust that had been brewing ever since Ryan's betrayal actually eased a little just from seeing this face.

Ethan slowly looked up, his gaze falling on her with zero warmth-more like he was evaluating something he didn't really want. "I didn't agree to this marriage. It was arranged by my mother and your family."

His tone was quiet but firm, like he was talking business instead of his own life. "Tomorrow morning, Jack Thompson will take you to file for divorce. No strings attached."

The man in the suit, still by the door, nodded politely. "Yes, sir."

Carol blinked and took a couple of steps forward, her tone casual like chatting with an old friend, even carrying a hint of playfulness. "Honey, come on, why are we suddenly talking about divorce?"

The word "honey" instantly made Ethan frown, a flicker of clear disgust flashing in his eyes-like someone completely put off by something frivolous.

He glanced up at her, his gaze sharp enough to cut. "Ms. Bennett, do you always get this cosy with every guy you've never met before?"

He paused, voice going colder. "For a mere fifty grand, you'd throw away your pride. Was it worth it?"

Carol's heart skipped half a beat.

This whole deal had been arranged between his mom and her family, yet Ethan somehow knew she'd collected fifty thousand from the Bennetts.

That's what happens when you're rich-what most people spend years saving for, he just calls "a mere fifty grand." Rich people, huh.

Still, she kept smiling, looking all sincere and innocent. "Who said we haven't met? You saved my life-I truly wanted to marry you and grow old together. The money's just... icing on the cake."

"Saved your life?" Ethan gave a short, amused laugh, clearly not buying it. There was even the faintest smirk at the corner of his mouth. "Ms. Bennett, if you're going to make stuff up, at least try to be original. This kind of gold-digger move is ancient."

"You want to prove you're not after money? Fine. No need to divorce-" he gestured at Jack, who stepped forward holding a folder. Ethan's voice turned distant. "Sign this agreement. You'll waive any financial gain from this marriage. Even if I die, you won't see a dime."

"But if you choose to leave now, I'll hand you a blank check. You name the price."

He figured that'd be enough to unmask her real intentions.

Sure enough-

Carol nodded. "Sounds tempting."

"As long as you understand. Jack will-"

Before he could finish, Carol picked up the pen and scribbled her name at the bottom of the document without hesitating. Her writing was swift and clean.

Once done, she slid the paper across the table to him, her grin bright and breezy. "Told you, I'm doing this out of gratitude. The money's got nothing to do with it.

"I'm done signing, hubby. Your turn."

Ethan's frown deepened-his brow so tight it looked like it could crack a walnut.

He seriously couldn't figure this woman out.

Thought she was in it for the money? She gave up every perk that came with being his wife without blinking.

Thought maybe she was into him? He was dying, and she acted like that was no biggie.

He tried again to talk her out of it. "All of Riverton knows how sick I am. Being with me will only leave you with nothing but a widow title. Don't waste your time-"

But before he could finish, Carol cut him off, "Then you'd better hang in there. A psychic said I bring good luck to my man-maybe you won't die after all."

Ethan's tone turned icy. "Marriage takes two people. I don't even like you."

Carol just shrugged. "You're good-looking. That's enough for me."

She had a major thing for pretty faces. Honestly, with a face like Ethan's, she felt she could forgive anything.

Ethan looked even more disgusted. "Heard you just dumped your ex and ran straight into marriage with me. Your 'feelings' seem a bit cheap, Ms. Bennett."

Carol didn't even flinch. "I had poor taste. Cut my losses in time. Marrying you only proves you're the real match for me."

Ethan had officially lost his patience. His voice turned colder. "I'm not wasting any more time. Jack will take you to file the divorce paperwork tomorrow at 9 a.m."

Carol lied without batting an eye. "Might not happen. Your mom already called her lawyer. I'm just along for the ride at this point."