"All set. I already forwarded your photo to my cousin, and he confirmed he's available tomorrow. Make sure you bring all the necessary documents and be at the city hall by exactly 9 AM. He doesn't waste time." The message from Tessa was brief and confident.

Chelsey lifted one brow. So he valued efficiency. That worked just fine. Right now, she had no patience for delays or complications.

When morning came the next day, Chelsey waited outside the city hall while holding her prepared documents.

She had chosen a white dress and layered it with a beige knitted cardigan. Her long hair was loosely tied, which left her neck exposed.

According to Tessa, her cousin moved quickly and without fuss, and that claim proved accurate.

The moment the clock hit 9 AM, a tall silhouette walked toward her from the bright entrance.

He stood close to 1.9 meters in height.

He was dressed in a plain black T-shirt paired with cargo pants. His broad shoulders contrasted with his narrow waist, and his long legs were hard to miss.

Once he stepped closer, Chelsey was finally able to get a clear look at his face.

It was him! The firefighter who had pulled her from the heavy smoke just nights ago.

Without the bulky firefighting gear in sight, his appearance stood out even more clearly.

A defined jaw gave him a severe edge, while his lips stayed firmly set and his eyes carried a depth that was hard to ignore.

Everything about him projected an untamed, masculine presence.

For a brief moment, Chelsey felt her heartbeat falter.

Stopping in front of her, he stood almost a full head taller, and his height caused his shadow to fall over her.

"Chelsey Holden?" he asked.

Beyond his striking appearance, his voice demanded attention. It was low and compelling, roughened by a faint rasp.

Pulling herself together, Chelsey nodded once. "Yes, that's me. You must be Tessa's cousin."

With a subtle nod in return, his eyes stayed on her face briefly before he looked away, and he introduced himself in a calm, controlled tone. "Julian Walsh."

Even then, disbelief lingered with Chelsey. Tessa truly had an extraordinary cousin.

She met his gaze and said with genuine gratitude, "I want to thank you for saving me that night."

Without his intervention, she likely would have died in that blaze, never given the chance to rebuild her life.

"I was only doing what I'm paid to do," he answered plainly.

For a moment, Chelsey did not know how to respond. This perfectly fit Tessa's comment about him being distant and easily irritated.

"Do you have all the documents with you?" Julian asked next.

"Yes, I have them," Chelsey said as she handed the papers over without thinking.

After taking them, Julian turned toward the building. "We're heading inside."

"Wait," Chelsey called after him. "Don't you think this feels a little too fast? Wouldn't it make sense for us to learn more about each other first?"

Her questions seemed pointless to Julian. "Tessa already filled me in on everything. Spending time getting acquainted would only slow things down."

Once again, Chelsey found herself speechless.

Judging by his response, Tessa's talkative nature had clearly left nothing unsaid about her.

Even with that in mind, Chelsey stood her ground. "Before we obtain the certificate, there are several matters I believe we must address first."

In response, Julian lifted a brow, silently urging her to go on.

"To begin with, this marriage is a practical arrangement meant to serve both our needs," Chelsey explained. "I will stay out of your private affairs, and in return, I expect the same respect from you."

Without hesitation, Julian gave a brief nod. "I agree."

"Next, our finances will stay completely separate after we're married. I have no interest in your assets, and I expect you to feel the same about mine."

After casting a short look in her direction, Julian answered evenly, "That's acceptable."

"Last, and most important, I cannot tolerate dishonesty. If I discover any form of deception, this marriage will end immediately. Can you accept that condition?"

For Chelsey, dishonesty crossed a line she would never tolerate.

Julian's eyes sharpened, and the casual air around him faded into something more restrained.

Several seconds passed as he continued to look at her.

Without flinching, Chelsey held his stare.

After the silence stretched long enough, Julian finally spoke a single word. "Alright."

"My terms are clear," Chelsey said. "Mr. Walsh, what conditions do you have?"

"I only have one requirement." Julian slightly lifted his chin. "Women do not interest me. This marriage exists solely to satisfy my family. Because of that, keep your emotions under control and do not form feelings that cross a line."

At his blunt statement, Chelsey gave him another slow once-over.

He had wide shoulders, slim waist, and long frame, while the fitted T-shirt clearly traced the strength in his chest and arms.

Even without touching him, she sensed an intense physical presence beneath the fabric.

Could someone who radiated that much vitality truly feel no desire at all?

If women were not his preference, then perhaps men were.

So this arrangement was nothing more than a convenient cover, a partnership he used to silence his family while he continued living freely?

Lost in her thoughts, Chelsey's expression subtly changed. Catching it, Julian frowned and asked bluntly, "What? Is that a problem for you?"

A faint smile curved Chelsey's lips, dimples appearing as she replied, "Funny coincidence, Mr. Walsh. I'm not interested in men, especially not your type. I'm very clear about where I draw the line when it comes to feelings."

Chelsey blinked and let her smile soften into something sweet and harmless. "Relax. I will not form any inappropriate thoughts about you at all. What we have is a clean and mutually beneficial partnership."

No reply came from Julian. For some reason, her gaze left him feeling slightly unsettled.

Without lingering, he turned and walked toward the city hall with long, decisive steps.

Because Chelsey's ankle had not fully recovered, a dull ache returned after standing for too long.

Moving carefully, she followed behind, unable to match the pace of his long stride.

When she saw him nearly disappear ahead, she raised her voice. "Hey, slow down and wait for me!"

Stopping abruptly, Julian turned back with clear impatience. "Why are you moving so slowly?"

Chelsey opened her mouth to explain, but Julian walked back toward her before she could speak.

In the next instant, he lifted her off the ground and held her firmly at the waist.

Shock flashed across Chelsey's face, and her heart began to race.

He carried her with ease, as though her weight meant nothing to him at all.

Even with the cloth between them, Chelsey sensed the firmness of his arms and the steady warmth coming from his chest.

"That man is so good-looking!"

"This feels straight out of a romance story!"

Around them, a few excited voices broke out.

Heat rushed to Chelsey's ears, turning them bright red.

Across both of her lifetimes, she had never been carried like this, where everyone could see.

Lowering her voice, she said, "Please put me down. I can walk on my own."

Julian looked down at her.

The meaning behind his gaze was obvious. He clearly doubted her ability to keep up.

Nothing more came from Chelsey after that.

Rather than resisting, she relaxed and pressed her face against his firm chest.

She tried to convince herself that if she could not see anyone, then no one could truly see her either.

A brief stiffness ran through Julian before he carried her to a nearby desk and gently placed her into a chair.

Even the woman behind the desk smiled, her eyes flicking between them with playful interest. "You two seem very close. Go ahead and fill out these forms."

At that moment, Chelsey found herself completely at a loss for words.

All she wanted was for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.

Fortunately, the staff moved with impressive speed.

Before she could even gather her thoughts, the paperwork was completed, the oaths were spoken, and the signatures were finalized.

Because each desk was spaced apart, any time Chelsey slowed down even slightly, Julian would lift her again without a second thought.

While being carried through the hall, her mind drifted back to her injured ankle.

The accident had happened two nights ago while she and Brett were heading to a bar. He had been distracted by his phone and ran a red light. When a car sped toward them, she had pulled him back instinctively, and that was when she twisted her ankle.

Instead of concern, Brett had only frowned and blamed her. "Why are you so careless?"

After that, he let Lydia support her across the street while he stood by, never once reaching out himself.

Looking back on it now, Chelsey could not help but compare the two men. Compared to Brett's cold indifference, Julian's blunt and forceful manner strangely made her feel far more at ease.