Nicole froze, stunned—it was the first time in two years of marriage that Walter had ever called her personal phone.

Brenda quickly gestured, urging Nicole to snap out of her daze and pick up. With shaking hands, Nicole managed to answer.

"H... Hello?"

"Nicole..." Her husband's deep voice resonated through the line.

"Yes? Walter..." she breathed, her heart pounding and nerves stretched thin.

"I take it you've wrapped up whatever you were doing abroad?" Walter's tone was flat and unfeeling.

"Yes, my studies. Like I said in my message, I finished my specialization and..."

"I don't care." Walter cut her off, blunt as ever. Didn't he care at all? Nicole's heart plummeted—so this wasn't a call to congratulate her? "Are you coming back tonight?"

"Uh... no... I'll be back the day after tomorrow... I have to handle some paperwork first..."

"Whatever you need to do isn't my concern..." Walter interrupted again, cold as ice. "I'm only calling to let you know."

"Let me know? About what?" Nicole asked, bewildered.

"When you return, the divorce papers will be waiting for your signature. I refuse to keep up this farce any longer..." Walter's words landed like a punch, leaving Nicole breathless.

"What?" Nicole's whole expression changed in an instant.

"What's going on?" Brenda whispered, noticing the shock etched across her friend's face.

"Now you know. When you get here, you'll just sign—no drama, and none of your usual tricks..."

"Walter, I..." Nicole's eyes glistened.

"By the way, where are you?" Walter suddenly asked. "I hear music—and a lot of men talking..." In the background, the shouts of a few guys playing pool echoed faintly through the phone.

"I... Uh... I'm in a bar..." Nicole said, startled. "I'm with a friend. We're celebrating my graduation..." Her voice faltered, confused by the question.

Walter had never asked her anything like that before. He had never shown the slightest interest in her whereabouts.

"Of course... "You went abroad to study—supposedly," Walter muttered sarcastically. His teeth clenched audibly as anger seeped into his voice. Then the line went dead.

Nicole let the phone slip from her fingers. A wave of dizziness washed over her. Was it real? Had all of that truly just happened?

"Nicole, what happened?" Brenda grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently, forcing her to snap out of it. Nicole stood there frozen, tears still streaming down her face.

"He... He... Walter... Walter asked me for a divorce." Nicole struggled to speak. The words came out broken and uneven. She reached for her glass and drained the remaining wine in one desperate gulp.

"He did what?" Brenda exclaimed. "Over the phone? That miserable, heartless man!" Her voice shook with fury.

"I... I don't know," Nicole sobbed. "I don't understand what went wrong. What am I supposed to do... I thought... I hoped... that you would miss me, that you would finally realize. I always believed that one day you would fall in love with me. I tried everything, Brenda, I swear I did, and he never believed me... Maybe… maybe I understand him. Look at me, Brenda. Walter is right. Someone like him could never be interested in someone like me." Nicole's words dissolved into incoherent sobs as Brenda watched her with quiet, aching sadness.

"Nicole," Brenda said softly, reaching for her. "Don't say that..."

"I thought he cared for me, even a little," Nicole went on, her voice cracking. "After his father died, he didn't ask me for a divorce. I took it as a sign—I let myself hope he might feel something for me. How foolish was that?" Her lament deepened. "What am I supposed to do now, Brenda? Tell me, what should I do? Our families' companies are merged, and after his father's death, Walter took charge of everything. He handed my father the full share owed to our family, but as for me... He only provided what I needed to live as his wife—a house, food, clothes. It took me a year and a half to save enough for this specialization. And now, after the divorce, I'll have nothing left!"

"Don't say that!" Brenda burst out, her voice thick with emotion as she saw her friend so broken. "That's why you studied so hard, Nicole! Isn't that right?" She gripped Nicole's shoulders firmly. "You did it to become an independent, empowered woman, so start acting like one!"

Nicole blinked, caught off guard; Brenda had never yelled at her like that before.

"Listen to me, Nicole Matthew," Brenda said, her tone unwavering. "You are done begging that jerk Walter for anything, and you will not keep humiliating yourself for him. That idiot doesn't realize the incredible woman he's losing. Got it?" Nicole could only nod, tears brimming in her eyes. At that moment, thinking for herself felt impossible. "You're going to sign those damn divorce papers, and then you'll demand a managerial position at the company. They can't deny you that—it's still your family's business, even if you're divorced. You'll work your way up and become exactly what you've always wanted to be—a beautiful, independent woman. You'll save your mother. Just watch—Walter will see the mistake he made." Brenda ended with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"What?" Nicole stared at her, bewildered.

"You're not going to let him get away with this," Brenda insisted. "You need to make him see that he's the one losing out."

"No... I don't understand..." Nicole murmured, her brow furrowing.

"We'll turn you into an absolute diva," Brenda declared. "Your soon-to-be ex-husband will be green with regret the moment he sees you with another man. That'll be your revenge..."

"With... with another man?" Nicole stammered, even more confused. "What man?"

"A real man," Brenda said with a smirk. "Someone gorgeous, powerful, the kind of arrogant brute who turns heads when he walks in a room. Just wait—Walter will regret ever letting you go. And if we have to, we'll hire you a fake boyfriend." Brenda's mischievous grin grew wider.

...

Nicole shifted restlessly in her seat, glancing toward the bar's entrance every few minutes. She still couldn't quite figure out how she'd let Brenda talk her into this.

"Nicole, enough already—stop fidgeting! You're making me anxious," Brenda complained, her patience thinning.

"I can't do this, Brenda. I really can't..." Nicole muttered, stealing another nervous look at the door.

"Of course you can!" Brenda insisted. "Come on, it'll be fun. It's a shame I won't be there, but just picturing it..." She grinned to herself, clearly entertained by the thought.

"I don't want to," Nicole admitted, dropping her gaze. "I'm not someone who takes revenge. That's just not who I am..."

"Don't think of it as revenge. It's nothing serious, Nicole..." Brenda replied, pausing as she considered how best to ease her friend's worries. "Just treat it as a harmless little joke. Aren't you at least curious? Wouldn't you like to see how your husband reacts?"

"I... well... maybe I am curious," Nicole admitted, cheeks reddening. The idea of Walter being even a little jealous felt oddly thrilling, even if it seemed impossible.

"Then it's settled!" Brenda declared.

"Wait... Tell me something," Nicole said, leaning closer. "How did you find this man so quickly?"

"Let's just say..." Brenda shrugged, feigning innocence. "I'm an independent woman who isn't interested in falling in love, but I do like to spoil myself with a handsome man every now and then."

"Brenda!" Nicole gasped, scandalized, her entire face burning with embarrassment.

"Okay, okay, I'm kidding," Brenda said, laughing. "Honestly, I just searched online. It was easy..." She checked her watch and her eyes went wide. "Oh my God, look at the time!" She suddenly jumped off her stool.

"What? What is it?" Nicole asked, completely bewildered.

"It's late, I have an appointment, and that man still hasn't shown up. Ugh—how irresponsible!" Brenda grumbled, stamping her foot in frustration.

"What? You have to leave?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Then... I'll go with you," Nicole offered, starting to rise, but Brenda stopped her with a firm hand.

"No way. You're staying right here and waiting for him. I'm messaging the agency now; he'll be here any minute," Brenda explained, tapping quickly on her phone. She fished a thick envelope from her purse and pressed it into Nicole's hand. "Here, this should cover everything—just don't pay him all at once."

"So much... there's so much money in here! I can't take this, Brenda. How could I ever repay you?" Nicole stammered, scandalized, trying to give the envelope back to her friend.

"Relax, Nicole..." Brenda said warmly, squeezing her shoulder. "You can pay me back by telling me all the juicy details—or, better yet, when you're running the company better than your future ex-husband ever did, you can return the favor then." With a playful wink, Brenda turned and started toward the door.

"Brenda—wait!" Nicole called out, her voice edged with nerves. Brenda turned back, expectant. "I... How am I supposed to recognize him? I've never even seen him before..."

Brenda's eyes sparkled with mischief. "When the tallest, most muscular, and downright attractive man in the entire bar walks in. You'll know."

"I'll wait a few more minutes, and if he doesn't arrive, I'll leave," Nicole told herself, taking a sip from her glass in hopes of calming her nerves. When she turned around, however, her eyes landed on the most striking man she had ever seen.

He stood impressively tall, broad-shouldered, with a chiseled chest and abdomen that showed even through his fitted shirt. She found herself wishing she could see the muscles in his powerful arms, but the jacket he wore kept them hidden.

Still, the man was captivating, with closely cropped light hair, a gaze both serious and commanding, a sharply defined jaw, a straight nose, and lips that seemed almost too perfectly shaped.

Suddenly, Nicole snapped herself out of it. What on earth was she doing? If she stared any longer, she might as well have been drooling at his feet. She had never looked at any man like this—except Walter, her husband.

That man had to be him. That had to be the fake boyfriend Brenda, her friend, had arranged.

Downing the last of her drink in one go, Nicole steeled herself and walked toward the handsome stranger sitting at the far end of the bar, her steps tentative and unsure.

"H-Hello..." she whispered, embarrassed. The man turned toward her immediately.

...

Patrick Collins was the third son of the country's wealthiest and most powerful family, yet he remained the least known, always keeping out of the spotlight.

He had no interest in cameras or reporters, and he loathed the demands of public life. Even as a boy, he made a point of avoiding attention, letting his older brother Albert handle interviews and family events.

For years, Patrick had worked relentlessly—managing his own businesses and stepping in to help his brother through a difficult phase. When the pressure finally became too much, he decided it was time for a break. He needed distance from everything, a chance to clear his head.

Lately, Patrick hadn't felt like himself. He was disappointed, even frustrated. All he'd ever wanted was to find the woman he'd spend his life with, to fall in love, to start a family of his own.

He wanted the kind of love his parents had—the deep, genuine bond he had admired since he was a child—but that happiness kept slipping out of reach.

It stung even more now, seeing his older siblings happily married, both swept up in new love, while he remained the odd one out.

Patrick hadn't been lucky in love. He had fallen hard, more than once, but each time ended in disappointment. As soon as the women in his life discovered his last name and the family he belonged to, their true intentions came out—ambition, greed, the desire for power.

The last to break his heart had been Juliana, a woman who left him shattered in every possible way.

That was why he needed to get away. Even after all this time, he hadn't been able to move on. So that night, Patrick did something he'd never tried before: he walked into a bar.

Patrick was a man who took care of himself, priding himself on his fitness. He loved working out and staying healthy, so he rarely drank alcohol—only raising a glass for big family gatherings or special occasions.

But that night, as he wandered the city feeling restless, he came across this bar. He needed a drink, something to help him forget the weight he carried, so he stepped inside.

Just as Patrick asked the bartender for a double whiskey, he was caught off guard by the voice of an unfamiliar woman behind him.

"He... Hello..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but there was something in it that drew his attention.

"Hello," Patrick replied, offering her a polite smile as she dropped her gaze, clearly shy.

"You... You're the guy... The one I was supposed to meet, right?" the woman continued, edging closer as if they were sharing a secret. Patrick found himself wondering what this was about. Who was she expecting? Was there something suspicious going on?

"Of course. The man you were waiting for..." Patrick said, meeting her with a crooked smile. Nicole glanced up at him, nerves evident as she swallowed.

"Yes, the fake boyfriend," Nicole admitted softly. "Oh! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called you that... I need to be more careful."

Her words barely reached Patrick, and she flushed a deep red, quickly hiding her face behind her hand in embarrassment.

Patrick, though surprised that she was looking for a fake boyfriend, found her flustered reaction oddly charming.

He decided to keep the conversation going, curiosity getting the better of him.

"You can call me Patrick," he said, lowering his voice to match hers, playing along.

"I'm Nicole... I'm sorry, Patrick, please forgive me," Nicole replied, peeking out from behind her hand, her cheeks still burning. "I've never done anything like this before. I'm really nervous and embarrassed."

Patrick couldn't help but smile at her candor. There was an appealing sincerity to her, especially with how easily she blushed.

"Well, tell me... What do you need?" Patrick asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Didn't Brenda explain it to you?" Nicole asked, looking at him in clear confusion.

"Brenda? She gave me a brief idea, but I'd like to hear the details from you..." Patrick shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal. "I like to handle things professionally, and I prefer to do a job right." His tone carried just the slightest hint of suggestion.

Nicole immediately dropped her gaze, her cheeks burning. If his looks and physique hadn't already left her flustered, that playful undertone nearly pushed her over the edge.

"Well, it's not anything complicated..." Nicole began, her voice soft as she stared down at the bar. "It's not a difficult job, really..."

Patrick's brow creased in confusion. Why exactly was this woman searching for a fake boyfriend?

"I live in another city, so you'd need to travel with me. The arrangement would last at most a month..." Nicole explained, nerves evident in her voice. "Maybe less, if things work out sooner. While you're here, I'll put you up in a nice hotel and take care of your meals, so you won't have to worry about any of that..."

"That all sounds good to me," Patrick replied, nodding as his curiosity grew. Why did she need a fake boyfriend for an entire month?

"You... You'd probably spend most of your time at the hotel," Nicole continued. "We'd only go out for special occasions, so you'll have plenty of free time. You won't have to pretend all the time. Only when you're around my husband and his friends or family... Those are really the only situations you'd need to act..."

"In front of your husband?" Patrick's eyes widened, clearly thrown by her words. This time, his surprise was evident.

"Uh... Yes..." Nicole admitted, her brow furrowing as she tried to understand his reaction. "Did Brenda really not tell you anything?"

"Very little... Really, hardly anything—she was pretty vague, to be honest," Patrick admitted, leaving Nicole lost in thought. Then again, Brenda was always like that. "She only said you needed me for something specific," he continued with a casual shrug, trying to sound at ease. "And that it would involve a trip..."

"Okay…" Nicole pulled out her phone to call her friend, but there was no answer. What Patrick described sounded exactly like Brenda, which made Nicole feel a bit more confident. "Look, the gist of it is..." She took a steadying breath. "I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend in front of my husband—sorry, my ex-husband... I mean, I'm about to sign the divorce papers, so I'm not even sure what to call him yet, but..."

"Let me ask you something," Patrick broke in gently. "Before I say yes, I need to understand—why are you doing this?"

Nicole dropped her gaze, her thoughts in turmoil, heart beating faster with nerves. Why was she really doing this? Maybe it was because Brenda had convinced her, but deep down, she had to admit she also wanted to see Walter startled—maybe even regretful or jealous.

"I'm in an arranged marriage, and for a lot of reasons, my husband never wanted me. One of them is pretty obvious…" Nicole gestured vaguely at herself, though Patrick couldn't understand: what was wrong with her? "After two years in a hollow marriage, he asked for a divorce, and I... Well, I thought... Brenda said..."

Nicole faltered, looking away, distress and embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Patrick caught a glimpse of deep sadness in her eyes, and that same gentle blush spreading across her face.

"Patrick... You know what?" Suddenly, Nicole looked at him with a weak, forced smile that never reached her eyes. "Forget it, I..." Her words trailed off as she shook her head. "I can't go through with this, it's... It's ridiculous." Nicole ran her hand over her face, grief written across her features. "I'm sorry for wasting your time, Patrick. There's no need for you to travel with me. I'll just... I'll face whatever's waiting for me on my own..." She gave a small, hopeless gesture between them. "Besides, no one would ever believe this. Someone like you, with someone like me—it's impossible. So, let's just forget the whole thing. It's for the best."

Nicole hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and offered Patrick a hesitant farewell smile. Something inside him twisted at the sight; she seemed as lost and empty as he felt, and it was obvious she needed someone in her corner.

Maybe that was why fate had brought him here, hadn't it? To a place he'd never have chosen on his own.

Nicole was just about to turn away when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Wait!" Patrick called out, stopping her. "Listen, you don't have to face this alone."

"What?" Nicole stared at him, bewildered.

"I want to help you. Let me be your fake boyfriend..." Patrick said softly.

For the first time in his life, Patrick found himself flying commercial in an economy seat, and he couldn't help but feel out of place. His family owned private jets and helicopters; on rare occasions, they would rent a plane or settle for first class.

Yet, despite how strange it all was, Patrick felt a spark of excitement. This whole scheme seemed reckless, but he welcomed it as an adventure—something meaningful to distract him and keep his mind busy.

Nicole's company, after all, certainly helped.

She chatted with him along the way, sharing bits and pieces about her family, the businesses they managed, and her husband. Still, her words were always vague, never straying too far into her personal life. That only piqued Patrick's curiosity even more.

What had really driven her to do this? To hire a stranger to play the role of her boyfriend? He longed to ask, but probing for details felt wrong. He wasn't the type to pry or gossip.

That wasn't his style, and he sensed that, sooner or later, Nicole would open up on her own.

When they arrived in the city, Nicole escorted Patrick straight to the hotel where he'd be staying. The place wasn't fancy, and the room was simple—nothing like what he was used to—but he decided he could manage.

"It's really late..." Nicole murmured as she stood at the door, preparing to leave. She had helped Patrick unpack and settle in, going out of her way to make him feel welcome. "Tomorrow morning, I'll go see my husband, and you'll come with me..."

"Alright," Patrick agreed, moving a little closer. Instantly, Nicole's cheeks turned pink; what was it about him that made her blush so easily?

"Uh... I'll pick you up... Early... We'll go to the company," Nicole stammered, stumbling over her words as she tried to collect herself.

Patrick was dressed in what Nicole guessed were pajamas—a crisp white shirt, so sheer it accentuated every line of his well-defined muscles.

He wore a pair of shorts that hung from his hips, perfectly framing his athletic build.

"For God's sake!" Nicole swallowed, her nerves fluttering like she was staring at a decadent dessert. "Doesn't he realize what he's doing?" she wondered, feeling the heat rush to her face as Patrick drew closer.

"Of course, I'll be waiting for you." Patrick gave her a gentle smile.

"Go... Good night." Nicole hurried away.

She made her way back to the house where her husband had all but abandoned her, leaving her to sleep alone almost every night—a home that would soon be lost to her as soon as the divorce papers were signed.

Still, Nicole tried to summon courage. She refused to let any of it break her, telling herself she would not be crushed, even as she lay in bed that night and tears slid silently down her cheeks in the darkness.

If Walter forced her out, her only choice would be to return to her parents' home, and she dreaded the thought of Henry's reaction if she showed up on their doorstep with her suitcases.

Everything Nicole would have to face afterward sent a shiver down her spine at the mere thought.

What was she supposed to do? How was she going to survive all this? Fear crept in, leaving Nicole feeling fragile and desperate. She knew she wasn't the strong, independent woman Brenda claimed she was. She didn't know how to face all these troubles and all this heartache on her own.

As negative thoughts closed in on her, Nicole finally drifted into a troubled sleep just before dawn, her pillow damp with tears.

...

Patrick woke at sunrise, just as Nicole had instructed, but she hadn't shown up. Maybe she'd changed her mind. Maybe she'd decided to leave him behind.

"No, she's not like that!" Patrick reassured himself, lying back and thinking of Nicole as he'd seen her at the bar—the honesty in her voice, the openness in her eyes, the tenderness behind each shy blush.

"No, she can't be that kind of person," Patrick repeated to himself as he settled into the bed and closed his eyes. She might be running late and have her reasons, but he felt certain she would come.

After a while, he heard a quiet knock at the door. Patrick stayed silent, waiting. Moments later, Nicole let herself in with the spare key. She found Patrick apparently asleep and, noticing how neat and ready he looked, guessed he'd been waiting for her all along.

Nicole lingered for a moment, just watching him. She'd never seen a man so striking, and maybe she never would again. For those few seconds, she simply let herself admire him.

Moving carefully so she wouldn't wake him, Nicole left a small package and a note on the bedside table before slipping back out.

The soft click of the door closing made Patrick open his eyes at once. What had she left behind?

On the table, he found the spare key to Nicole's room and a package containing cash. It had to be payment for his services—but what services? He hadn't even started yet.

Patrick picked up the note and read the words she had left behind.

"I'm sorry I brought you all the way here, only to decide I can't go through with it. I thought I could handle this, but honestly, I'm scared."

"Please forgive me for making you travel for nothing. I'm leaving your payment; it's not your fault the job never happened."

"Thank you for everything, Patrick. You were... and still are... so kind."

Patrick muttered a curse under his breath and hurried out in search of her.