Charlotte paused, her brows furrowed as she turned to meet the woman’s gaze. She had been featured in the news, yes—but no one really knew who her husband was. Michael had never taken her out, never introduced her properly, not even when she begged him to let her attend his dinner parties with him.

“You can come with me to the federal registry,” the woman continued calmly, as though she were discussing something ordinary. “Name your price, get your money, and marry him. He’s doing well for himself—owns a house and a successful business. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

Charlotte remained silent for a moment, her mind racing.

It sounded… tempting.

Too tempting.

All she needed was money—just enough to start over with her father. Once she had that, she could leave. Divorce wouldn’t be a problem. After all, this would only be an arrangement, nothing more.

She stood there for several minutes, thinking deeply. Reality pressed heavily against her chest. There was no stable future waiting for her, not like this. Her father struggled enough already, working a low-paying job just to survive. Adding her burden to his would only make things worse.

For a brief second, she considered calling him.

But she stopped herself.

She already knew what he would say.

He would refuse.

He would tell her to endure, to manage, to stay strong the way he always had. But this wasn’t just about endurance anymore—it was about survival.

Charlotte took a slow breath.

“Fine,” she said at last, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. “I’ll do it. But if the marriage doesn’t work out, we get a divorce. And before anything, we draft an agreement. Everything must be written.”

That was her condition.

She would take the money, secure her future, and walk away if things went wrong, which she was almost certain they would.

The kind of man described by this woman? Wealthy, successful, distant?

He would definitely be arrogant.

And men like that didn’t make good husbands.

The woman beside her simply nodded, a faint smile forming on her lips. Without saying another word, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

“He will be here soon,” she said.

Charlotte’s heart began to beat faster.

She didn’t know why.

Perhaps it was the weight of what she had just agreed to.

Perhaps it was fear.

Or maybe… something else.

Nearly an hour later, a car pulled up in front of them.

Charlotte’s eyes followed it instinctively, her body going still as the door opened.

And then he stepped out.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Tall.

Well-built.

Effortlessly composed.

There was something about him, something commanding, something cold—that made her chest tighten slightly.

He didn’t look like someone who needed this arrangement.

If anything, he looked like a man who had options.

So why was he single?

“Grandma, you wanted to see me?” His voice was deep, smooth, and carried a natural authority as he approached.

“Yes,” the woman replied, clearly pleased. “I found someone for you. She’ll make a good wife. You both should register your marriage.”

He turned his gaze toward Charlotte.

There was no warmth in his eyes.

Only indifference… and something close to irritation.

Strangely, that made Charlotte more certain of her decision.

Good.

If he didn’t like her, then this marriage wouldn’t last.

And that worked perfectly in her favor.

He glanced back at his grandmother, his expression unreadable.

So this is how she plans to fix things… he thought briefly.

Then, without much hesitation, he said, “Alright. Let’s proceed.”

Charlotte blinked in surprise.

That was it?

Just like that?

No questions. No arguments.

He agreed.

The woman beamed, clearly satisfied.

“Good. Let’s not waste time,” she said, already moving.

Fifteen minutes later, they were inside the registry building.

Charlotte barely had time to process anything before his hand closed around hers.

Firm.

Unyielding.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt—but enough to make it clear that he wasn’t letting go.

Her heart skipped.

They walked together until they stood before the official.

Only then did he release her hand.

Without a word, he reached for a sanitizer and cleaned his hands calmly, as though nothing had happened.

Charlotte watched him quietly.

Arrogant.

Exactly as she expected.

But for some reason… she didn’t feel offended.

If anything, she found it oddly amusing.

The documents were handed to them.

Two sheets. One pen.

Charlotte read through them carefully, making sure nothing was hidden or altered. Once satisfied, she signed.

He signed immediately after, without hesitation.

And just like that—

It was done.

She was married.

Again.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, handing it to her without looking at her.

“House thirty-four, Hilton Garden Park Road,” he said. “You can move in today or tomorrow. Don’t wait for me, I’ll be out of the country.”

Charlotte nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

That was all.

No introduction.

No conversation.

No emotion.

He turned and walked out.

Outside, his grandmother was already waiting in the car.

She stepped out the moment she saw him.

“Where’s my daughter-in-law?” she asked eagerly.

“She’s inside,” he replied casually. “She’ll move in. I’ve given her the keys.”

The woman’s face lit up instantly, satisfaction written all over her.

She turned to go inside, but he stopped her.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m bringing her with us,” she insisted.

“She needs to pack her things first,” he said calmly. “Don’t worry about her.”

She hesitated, clearly wanting to argue,bbut eventually, she gave in.

Charlotte had just made a huge decision. It was only natural she needed time.

With a small sigh, the woman returned to the car.

Moments later, they drove off.

The car screeched to a halt, and Michael stepped out, moving quickly through the mansion. He pushed the door open and strode into the room with a presence that unsettled his mother and his pregnant wife. Maria furrowed her brows, rising from the couch, concern written across her face.

“Is everything okay? You need to see yourself right now,” she asked, briefly glancing at his mistress before returning her gaze to him.

He said nothing, pacing back and forth, lost in thought, trying to figure out the next step. Impatience flashed in Maria’s eyes as she grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet her gaze.

“What is going on? Talk to me,” she demanded, shaking him until he broke free, panting. Once he steadied himself, he spoke.

“You remember the corporate trust multimillion-dollar development funds, the one Father was fighting for before he died?” he asked, watching her reaction.

Her eyes widened in anticipation. “It’s about to be released,” he continued.

“Released? I thought your father failed to secure it.”

“He did. But the case was reopened, and his request was reconsidered. The rights will be passed down to him.”

“You don’t mean it!” Maria exclaimed, bursting into excitement. His mistress smiled eagerly, sharing in the celebration. Michael’s confusion grew; he couldn’t understand why they were rejoicing when the project wasn’t secured yet.

There was a condition, and it required one person’s signature—Charlotte’s.

“Mother, we have a problem,” he said. The room went silent as their eyes met, confusion spreading. “We need her signature. She’s the choke point; without it, the board can’t lift the freeze.”

Maria laughed in disbelief. Her mind immediately connected the dots. Charlotte—the woman they had discarded and underestimated—was now essential. How she had gotten involved in the project was beyond comprehension. All her father had done was serve as their driver; he had no office experience.

“Did you say we require her signature?” Maria asked sharply. “How do we get it when she’s no longer with you? Who knows, she’s probably dead somewhere.”

“Dead? She’s at the hospital. She was attacked last night,” Michael corrected.

“She was attacked?” the mistress repeated. He nodded.

“This is a big mess. The signature on the divorce papers is fake. How do we get her real signature?” Maria paused, then turned to him, calculating. “If she agrees to sign the divorce papers, we…”

She trailed off, fixing her gaze on him.

“Did you give her the papers already?”

“No, I didn’t. Why?” He looked perplexed.

“Perfect. We can get her back with it. She hasn’t signed yet; legally, she’s still your wife.”

“Does that make sense? After how we treated her? She even had an accident. How can she forget that easily?”

Maria laughed again, hard and sharp, until she began to choke. He knew her well enough to recognize that she was playing a game, a calculated move, and there was more he needed to understand.

“Which hospital is she admitted to? As her family, we should visit her,” she said, turning toward the stairs. Michael watched her leave, mouth agape, everything moving too fast. He couldn’t imagine facing Charlotte now.

“What are you waiting for? Don’t you trust her?” his mistress snapped, pulling him from his thoughts.

“We can’t bring her back into this house. I can’t allow her to take your place again.”

She sighed, holding his hands. “I know how much you love me, but do you realize that’s a multi-billion-dollar project? It can’t be delayed.” He nodded, watching her, feeling the weight of it all.

“Get ready,” she said. “I’ll be home, waiting for you to return.”

An hour later, they arrived at the hospital where Charlotte had been admitted. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they stepped inside; some people openly pointed at the family.

Michael walked ahead, with his mother and sister trailing, each draped in unmistakable luxury.

They were one of New York’s richest families, ranked third in the business world, and with the corporate trust funds, their influence would only grow.

“We’re here to see Mrs. Charlotte,” Molly instructed, her tone clipped. The nurse looked at her nervously.

“Sorry… do you mean Ms. Charlotte Fernandez?” the nurse asked, voice trembling under Molly’s gaze.

“Whatever. She’s the one,” Molly snapped, earning a sharp look from Maria.

They were here to appear kind, to influence the narrative, not out of genuine concern. The recent news of her divorce made Charlotte a public topic, and their presence only added fuel to the gossip.

“Yes, please. Her room is on the first floor, but I don’t think her guardian—” the nurse began.

Maria’s glare silenced her. Without another word, they strode down the corridor. At the room, they pushed the door open and entered, commanding attention.

Fernandez, lying on the bed, lifted his head, hatred surging as he met their faces. He glanced from one to another, his gaze filled with pure contempt.

Michael and Maria looked embarrassed, but Molly remained indifferent, only following because she had been instructed.

“What are you bunch of losers doing here?” Fernandez barked, venom lacing his words.

“You’re the loser here,” Molly shot back, only to be smacked on the head by Maria.

“Don’t talk back. Watch your speech,” Maria warned.

Enraged, Molly stormed out.

“I’m sorry about her attitude. You know how she can be,” Michael said, uneasy. Fernandez stood, glaring, and strode to the door.

“I know. Now leave. We don’t need you here.”

“We can settle this, Mr. Fernandez. Michael was wrong; that’s why I’m here, to make things right.”

“Michael was wrong?” Fernandez echoed, disbelief heavy in his voice. “You know exactly what he did and still act as if you didn’t support him?”

“I would never support such cruelty. She’s a sweet girl. She didn’t deserve any of this.”

“Maria, enough. Leave before I call security.” Fernandez’s heart ached at the sight of them, at the audacity and the cruelty.

“She’s still his wife, Fernandez. You can’t separate them while they’re married,” Maria pressed, trying to exploit the legal loophole they believed would force his hand.

A knock sounded at the door, and the doctor entered briskly.

“Mr. Fernandez, what’s all the noise about?”

“I’m sorry, Doctor. We have unwanted visitors. I was trying to send them away.”

Just then, the machine beside Charlotte beeped sharply, drawing everyone’s attention.

The doctor urged Fernandez to call for a nurse while he checked on her. Michael and his mother stood frozen, their thoughts consumed not by fear, but by the wealth they would gain once she signed the documents.

Two nurses rushed into the room to assist the doctor. Thankfully, they managed to stabilize her, and the machine finally stopped beeping as her heart rate returned to normal.

Moments later, her eyelids fluttered. They squinted briefly before finally opening, her gaze fixed blankly on the ceiling. Her head was wrapped in a bandage, stained with dried blood.

“She’s awake,” one of the nurses announced.

Fernandez hurried forward, leaning over his daughter, his voice trembling.

“Ms. Charlotte, can you hear me?” the doctor asked, waving a hand gently in front of her eyes.

She blinked, her gaze shifting from the doctor to the unfamiliar faces around her.

“Where… where is this place?” Her voice was weak, barely audible.

“You’re at the hospital,” the doctor replied calmly.

“No,” she whispered, frowning. “I mean… how did I get here?”

Before the doctor could answer, her father stepped in, his voice soft but strained.

“You collapsed, sweetheart. That’s why we’re here.”

She stared at his face, then slowly turned to the doctor.

“Who’s he?” she asked.

A cold silence fell over the room.

Fernandez’s jaw dropped. The worst had just happened. He was her father, yet she couldn’t recognize him.

How bad is the damage? He wondered, panic clawing at his chest.

“Nurses,” the doctor said firmly, “we need to run some tests; I’ll need everyone to step outside.”

They all filed out, including Fernandez. He didn’t even care whether Maria remained behind or not; his mind was entirely on his daughter. He paced the hallway restlessly, his hands clasped together as he prayed under his breath.

Please don’t let her lose her memory… please.

It had happened so suddenly. Too suddenly.

For the next thirty minutes, nurses moved in and out of the room. Every second felt like an hour. Just when he thought he could no longer take it, the door finally opened and the doctor stepped out, followed by a nurse.

Fernandez rushed forward and blocked his path.

“How is she?” he asked urgently. “Please don’t tell me she doesn’t remember me.”

The doctor sighed, giving his shoulder a brief, reassuring pat.

“She’ll be fine. It appears to be temporary; she’s still in shock. Just give her time.” Then his tone hardened slightly. “And you’ll need to resolve whatever differences exist between you and them. We don’t allow chaos in the hospital.”

Before Fernandez could respond, Michael stepped forward.

“Hello, doctor,” he said quickly. “I’m her husband, and this is my mother.” Michael introduced himself, even though the doctor is familiar with him.

The doctor glanced at her father, who had already covered part of her bills when she was admitted. If she had a husband, where was he when Fernandez was asked to make a part payment to the hospital?

“Nice to meet you. I didn’t know she was married into your family. But please, if you encounter any problems, you can sort them outside the hospital.”

“There’s no problem. He’s just mad because we didn’t show up until now.” he lied.

“Can you hear yourself? You’re the reason she’s in such a mess. You both ruined her life, and now you’re here acting innocent,” he retorted, tears rolling down his cheeks.

He had gone back to the mansion on the day they left the hospital. When he arrived, the security refused to let him in until he said he had come for his daughter. That was when he was told that Maria had thrown her out and that none of them were allowed to come near the house.

That was how he found out that Michael wasn’t the only one who had maltreated her; his mother had supported everything they did to her.

After searching for her, he went home, only for her to return later and collapse right in front of the house. If the taxi man hadn’t drawn his attention and rushed them to the hospital, he would probably have lost her.

“Mr. Fernandez, you need to calm down. I’ll see them in my office. You can stay with your daughter for the moment.”

The doctor gestured for them to follow him, while her father returned to the room and broke down in tears.

The nurse who was in the room helped him up from the floor and guided him to the couch.

“She’s trying to get some sleep. You can’t wake her up,” she cautioned quietly.

Fernandez nodded and made his way out of the room. He sat at the entrance, engulfed in his thoughts, when Michael and his mother returned, interrupting him.

“You’re here.” She diverted his attention.

He stood up, already striding toward her room.

“You don’t have to do that. We won’t be staying. We’re leaving, but we’ll be back the next day.”

“We both know you’re not welcome here. I would rather not see you anywhere near my daughter.”

Maria and her son burst out in laughter. Standing in front of them, he looks pathetic to them.

“Fernandez, you’re forgetting she’s still my wife. We’re both are legally married.”

“Then you must be forced to announce your divorce on the news, exclusively,” he retorted, hitting Michael’s weak point.

“You think anyone will believe you?” Maria scoffed, urging her son to come with her. And just like a mother’s boy, he willingly turned on his heels while she headed back to the car.

As soon as they settled into the car, Molly spoke up.

“How did it go?”

“Not so well. I don’t think we can get her back,” Michael responded.

“And why is that?” Maria inquired.

“Because she’s lost her memory of everyone. She doesn’t even recognize her father.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? What do we do now?”

Maria cast her son a condescending stare.

“Listen to me. You can’t mess this up. Now that she’s lost her memory, it’s the perfect time to strike. Her father can’t do anything, he has no evidence to prove himself.”

Both adults stared at her confused. If she had lost her memory, there was no way they would be able to get her to even sign the papers.

“You just follow my lead. We’ll be back during the day. You heard the doctor—it’s a huge amount of money to clear her bills, and he only paid a small part of it. He needs us more than we need his daughter.”

“Damn it, that’s why you’re my mother. I can’t believe you think this fast,” Molly praised her, finding what she had just said amusing. With her memory lost, it would work in their favor on both sides, leaving her at a complete loss.

“I still don’t comprehend how this will help us,” Michael said, but he was ignored.

“Let’s go home. We’ll talk more later,” she said, relaxing back on the couch and smiling sheepishly.