Charlotte fell on the floor hitting her head on the wall.

He slammed the door behind her.

"You filthy slut!"

Bruce's voice was loud and aggressive; one would think he was under the influence of alcohol.

Charlotte held her face looking at him.

"What-"

"You didn't come home!" he roared.

"You didn't call!" he continued.

"You didn't call me either," Charlotte replied.

His face darkened.

"Why the hell would I call you?" he snapped. "You're the one who left."

She stared at him.

"You could've texted," she said, sobbing quietly.

"Texted? I had to cook for myself," he said. "Do you know that? I had to cook."

Charlotte stared at him confused, as she had just misheard him.

"You're angry because you had to cook?"

He stepped closer.

"Where were you?" he demanded.

"At work."

"You closed by midnight."

Her throat tightened.

"Where were you, Charlotte?" he repeated, his voice sounding more dangerous.

She looked away.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

"WHO IS HE?" Bruce shouted.

"There is no he," she snapped back

Bruce laughed.

"You really think I'm stupid?"

"Seriously Charlotte you take me for a big fool."

He lifted her up, moving closer.

His hand gripped her chin harshly, forcing her to look at him as he pinned her to the wall.

"You think you can embarrass me?"

Tears burned her eyes

"You smell different."

"Me–"

"Who did you sleep with?" he asked.

She pushed him away. "Get off me."

"You didn't even check on me," she said crying uncontrollably. "You didn't call. You didn't text."

"You're lucky I even keep you here," he muttered.

"Well, that's because I work hard to pay the rent, while all you do is drink, gamble and lay your filthy hands on me." She followed up screaming.

Bruce picked up the TV remote and turned up the volume so the neighbours wouldn't hear, loosening his belt as he said, ..."I am going to deal with you and leave a scar on your body you will regret ever opening your mouth to speak."

"Bruce please I am sorry, I don't know what came over me, it was a slip of the tongue." She said crying and begging Bruce for forgiveness.

whether it was a slip of the tongue or not. I am going to leave a scar on your body, so that next time I confront you, you keep your filthy mouth shut."

"Bruce please–, I promise this won't repeat itself again. Please Bruce, I am begging you, I will be your slave, I will do anything you ask of me, but please spare me, I am already too stressed to carry a scar." Charlotte wept as she kept on begging Bruce for mercy.

"I am going to ask three more times and if you don't open your mouth and tell me who f**ked you last night, I am going to be your worst nightmare and you will regret ever crossing paths with me," Bruce said.

She closed her eyes as he started.

"Who is he?"

"Who is he?" He said for the second time.

Jace walked into his room furious, he was still thinking about his father requesting that he get married when his phone rang.

It was Malory calling.

He stared at the call before he finally answered.

"What?!" he said.

What was that, Jace? Do you have any idea what you looked like up there? They tore you apart."

"Is this why you called?" He replied clearly not in the mood.

"I had to watch you get dragged across national television," she snapped. "Cocaine? Distribution of heroin? Failing football captain? Do you enjoy humiliating me?"

"I didn't invite the press circus," he said. "Someone paid them."

"Oh, don't start with conspiracy theories," Malory cut in. "You clearly gave them leverage."

"My father wants me married."

There was a pause.

"Married to who?" she asked.

"To someone suitable," he replied. "Within a week."

"You're joking."

"No."

"You're actually serious," she whispered.

"He thinks it'll stabilize the company. Rebuild the brand. 'Responsible heir.'" He made air quotes she couldn't see. "Apparently a wife photographs well."

"And what about me?" she demanded.

"You'll still be you," he said.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one that matters."

"You expect me to do what? Clap while you marry somebody?"

"It won't be real."

"That's not the point!"

"It is," he said calmly. "That's entirely the point."

"This is strategic and temporary. The board and investors need reassurance. My father needs obedience."

"And what do I need?" Malory shot back.

"You need to trust me."

"Trust you while you slide a ring on another woman's finger?"

"It won't mean anything."

"It will mean a lot to her."

"Then she shouldn't mistake the contract for affection."

"And this girl," she said carefully. "She knows what she's signing up for?"

"She'll know enough."

Malory. "So you're buying compliance."

"I'm buying my spot as the heir."

"And if she falls for you?"

"She won't."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I won't give her anything to fall for."

"You would make her miserable," she said.

"Yes."

"I'm not replacing you," he said.

"Good," she replied quickly. "Because I'm not disappearing."

"And if she questions it?" Malory added.

"She won't."

"And if she does?"

His voice dropped, "She'll regret it."

"That's the Jace I know."

"She'll get the ring. The house and the media appearances," he said. "You get everything else."

"And you won't fall for her?" Malory asked.

"I don't fall," he said.

"Good," she murmured. "Because if I have to watch you kiss another woman in public, I need to know she means nothing."

"She won't," he said again.

"And this marriage? For the media, for your father, for the empire, and for us?" she pressed.

"For control," he finally said.

"Then give her hell."

"Oh, I intend to."

"You won't let her get comfortable?"

"No."

"You won't let her think she's replacing me?"

"Never."

"Good," she whispered. "Because I won't share you."

"You won't have to."

And for the last time, Bruce lifted the belt above his head "Who is he?!"

And just before the belt landed, she opened her eyes and the sound of applause echoed from the television.

Charlotte's eyes shifted past his shoulder as she spotted Jace on the TV. She pointed.

"That's him!"

Bruce turned slowly toward the television.

Jace's inauguration speech was being broadcast live

"That's who?" Bruce asked.

"The guy from last night."

Bruce stared at her and looked at the TV, then back at her.

"You slept with him?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

Bruce's expression changed. He looked at the television once again, this time closely paying attention to the billionaires on screen who rule the city.

"Norman," he repeated.

"I didn't know who he was," she whispered.

Bruce's eyes met hers.

"How much did he give you?"

Her expression changed.

"What?"

"Don't lie to me," he said.

"Nothing, we just talked." She said as her mind flashed back to her making a ten-thousand-dollar deposit into the bank.

"What do you take me for Charlotte? Men like that don't just talk."

"You're telling me you spent the night with a billionaire heir... and came home empty?"

"Oh, Charlotte," he said. "You really don't think."

She stood up quickly. "Don't start."

"Start?" he smirked. "You just handed us a goldmine."

"Us?"

He stepped closer to whisper.

"You think a man like that wants headlines about some bartender he slept with?"

"I didn't sleep with him." She followed up.

"And you are not saying anything."

"Oh, I'm saying everything."

Charlotte shook her head. "No."

"You think he wants the public knowing he picked up some broke girl at a bar the night before an inauguration?"

Bruce grabbed her bag suddenly.

She gasped. "What are you doing?"

He opened it.

And found the bank receipt of the deposit she made.

His eyes widened.

"Oh," he whispered. This must be from Mr Norman."

"Ten thousand?"

She nodded.

"You're going back," he said.

"No."

"Yes."

"I'm not."

He grabbed her face again.

"You're going back," he repeated. "And this time, you would come back with more than ten thousand dollars."

"Are you seriously asking me to steal?" She asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what I am asking you to do."

"Well, I won't." She shot back.

"You don't get to decide. Now quit being useless and go prepare something for me to eat," Bruce said as he sat back on the couch, already calculating how to capitalize on this situation.

He would pick up his phone and send an anonymous message to The Norman Enterprise.

To Mr Edward Norman.

Your son wasn't alone the night he arrived in the city.

Room 55. The Royal Crest Hotel.

He spent the night with a bartender.

I have proof.

If you want this buried before the press gets it, contact me.

Mr Norman was in his office when his phone vibrated.

He opened the message and immediately his expression changed.

"Wtf, a bartender," he muttered.

"Find out everything about my son's movements the night he returned," he said to his head of security. "Every transaction.

All camera footage. Every person he was with."

Within an hour, the confirmation came.

Jace had checked into the Royal Crest Hotel.

Room fifty-five.

And there was footage of a woman entering his room late that night.

Edward stared at the image of Charlotte on the security monitor. Her simple dress and cheap heels.

Edward leaned back in his leather chair.

"If the public wants responsibility," he muttered, "I will give them responsibility."

Jace was halfway through a glass of whiskey when his father walked into his penthouse without knocking.

"I'm not in the mood for another lecture," Jace said, not turning around.

"This isn't a lecture," Edward replied. "It's a solution."

Jace glanced at him over his shoulder. "To what? My college mistakes? Or the board being on your neck?"

"To everything."

Edward tossed a file onto the glass table in front of him.

Jace opened it.

Inside was a printed image from hotel surveillance.

Charlotte Walking into Room 55.

He was shocked.

"Where did you get this?" He asked.

"You're not as careful as you think," Edward said. "And unfortunately for you, someone else noticed."

Jace slammed the file on the table. "What do you mean?"

Edward walked closer.

"I received a message this evening, from an anonymous person threatening to expose your... activities."

Jace stood.

"So pay them off."

"It won't stop there. Whoever it was would surely come back."

Edward's voice lowered.

"You are getting married."

"I am already aware of that," Jace said.

"No you are not, "You're getting married tomorrow. Noon. My office."

"You've lost your mind."

"You have already lost control of your image," Edward snapped. "You will not lose control of this company."

Jace stepped closer to him. "And who exactly am I supposed to marry? Some socialite you picked from a catalogue?"

"No."

He tapped the file.

"Her."

Jace stared at Charlotte's picture again.

"The bartender?" he scoffed. "You want me to marry a stranger from a bar?"

"I want you to marry the only person who can destroy you right now."

"You don't even know her."

"I know enough," Edward replied. "Poor background, no influence or power and more importantly easy to control."

"You're turning this into a business deal," Jace responded to his father.

"That's exactly what it is."

Edward adjusted his cuffs.

"You will marry her. The press will frame it as a pre-marriage romance."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I release the information myself before your blackmailer does. And you can watch the empire slip slowly away from your hands because of your pride."

Jace exhaled slowly.

"You're ruthless."

"I am prepared," Edward replied as he walked away.

THE Day OF THE M A R R I A G E

Charlotte was sitting in Mr Norman's private office, when Jace walked in.

" He said quietly. "You're the girl from Room 55."

"And you're the man who didn't even say goodbye."

"This isn't about personal feelings." Edward interrupted.

Charlotte looked at him.

"You want me to marry your son."

"You will be compensated generously. Housing. Security. Financial stability for life."

Charlotte almost laughed.

"You think this is about money?"

"Then what is it about?" Jace shot back.

She looked at him properly now.

"You left me without a word. And now you're sitting here like this is a board meeting."

"You think I asked for this?" Jace said.

"Then why agree to it?"

"Because I have no choice." He said.

"And what happens after we sign this contract?"

Edward answered, "You will play the role of devoted wife. Public appearances. Charity events. No scandals."

"How long?"

"One year," Edward replied. "With the possibility of extension if necessary."

"And if I say no?"

Jace leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"Then whoever's threatening my father releases what they have. And you become the woman who slept with the scandal-ridden heir the night he arrived."

"So this is blackmail."

"No," he said.

"It's survival."

"You want me to risk my life, my name, everything... to protect yours?"

Edward slid an envelope towards her, inside was her mother's nursing home bills and her sister's tuition fees both fully paid.

"Now are you going to do as we say?" He asked.

"Yes."

The Norman family lawyer walked into the office with the contract details at hand, alongside the company's COO.

When the lawyer brought out the marriage documents, the COO noticed Charlotte rubbing her stomach looking dizzy, so he said.

"You look pale and stressed."

Charlotte immediately removed her hands from her stomach.

"I'm fine." She said,

"You're pale. And you're shaking," the COO said.

"My wife looked like that before we found out she was pregnant."

"I just need rest, that's all."

Jace signed first.

And as Charlotte was about to sign the documents, she kept shaking and the pen slipped from her fingers.

Both Charlotte and Jace bent down to pick up the pen, Jace held her hand and whispered.

"You are shaking."

"I'm fine."

Jace released her hand.

"If there's anything you're hiding," he murmured, "I always find out."

Charlotte signed the document and she looked up at him.

"So now what?"

Jace's eyes darkened.

"You haven't seen what marriage to me looks like."

Charlotte wrapped her hand around her stomach again.

"You should get a pregnancy test." the COO said,

The entire office became curious as they looked closely at Charlotte.

"I said I am fine, it's probably just food poisoning."

"Yeah that's true, just get yourself checked up," Edward said as he dismissed the office.

Jace stood.

"And understand something, Charlotte..."

His voice lowered.

"If you think this is the worst part of your life-"

He leaned closer.

"From today, your life is no longer yours."

Just as Charlotte was about to leave the office, Mr Edward called after her.

"Charlotte..."

"Yes sir."

"Hold on."

"You will move into the Norman mansion tonight," Mr Edward said. "The news of your marriage will be broadcast across the city as soon as possible.

Before that, however, you may return to your apartment and collect whatever belongings you need."

"Okay." She replied.

"And lastly, go get yourself checked up, the marriage ceremony is going to take place as early as tomorrow and you need to appear in a perfect condition."

"Alright sir, I will take my leave."

On getting to the last floor of the company,

Charlotte was stopped by a family guard.

"Good afternoon Mrs Norman." He greeted her.

Charlotte was shocked and didn't know how to react to being addressed as Mrs Norman.

"Mrs Norman? Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, Mrs Norman, I am talking to you."

"Good afternoon, and who exactly are you?"

"My name is Tristan and I am your personal assistant."

"I... have a personal assistant?"

"Yes, you are the wife of Mr Norman and that comes with a lot of benefits. I will serve as your personal driver and bodyguard. My role is to make your life easier."

"Wow."

"Is there an issue ma'am?"

"No, not at all, it's just that I am very much new to all this."

"Ohh, if that's the issue, you will adapt and my role is to make sure of that."

"Okay, that's nice I guess."

"Are you heading out ma'am?"

"Yes, I want to go pick up some belongings from my apartment."

"OK, wait here while I go bring the car."

Charlotte was starstruck when she saw her personal assistant pull up to the entrance of the company in a Rolls-Royce.

"Whose car is this?"

"It's yours, ma'am."

"If I am not mistaken this is a Rolls-Royce right?"

"Yes ma'am, it is a Rolls-Royce and it's your personal car."

"Is this a dream?"

"It's not ma'am, like I said earlier, being married into the Norman family comes with a lot of benefits."

"I understand, I wasn't just expecting this much luxury."

He smiled and asked "So are you ready to head out?"

"Yes."

On their way to her apartment, she kept thinking of how suddenly the trajectory of her life had changed.

From just an ordinary bartender six hours ago to now being addressed as Mrs Norman.

Charlotte cleared her throat

"Um... excuse me?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Could you... " Turn on the radio?" she asked. "I just need something to distract my mind."

"Of course, ma'am."

A cheerful voice burst through the speakers.

"And in today's biggest business headline-Atlanta's most eligible billionaire bachelor is officially off the market!"

Charlotte froze.

The radio host continued enthusiastically.

"Earlier today, Jace Norman, heir to the Norman Group empire, shocked the public by announcing his sudden marriage to an unknown woman during a private ceremony at city hall."

The announcer laughed.

"Sources say the mysterious bride is Charlotte Hayes, a bartender with no known connection to the Norman family. Social media is already exploding with speculation about how the two met."

Another voice joined the broadcast.

"A bartender marrying a billionaire heir overnight? That sounds like something straight out of a romance novel."

The car suddenly felt smaller.

"...Do you think this marriage will last?" the co-host asked jokingly.

"Well," the first host replied, "history tells us billionaire impulsive marriages rarely end well."

Charlotte reached forward quickly.

"Turn it off."

The assistant immediately pressed a button.

The car immediately went silent.

Charlotte stared out the window, wondering if she had made the right choice and if she was ready for this.

"Could you stop at a pharmacy?"

"Yes, ma'am. There's one a few blocks ahead."

"Is everything alright, ma'am?"

"Yes."

"Just do as I tell you."

"Of course, ma'am."

The Rolls-Royce slowed down as the driver pulled over to the entrance of the pharmacy.

The driver stepped out of the car to get the door for Charlotte.

"Would you like me to come with you, ma'am?"

"No."

"I'll only take a minute."

Upon entering the pharmacy she was greeted by the pharmacist.

"Good day, madam, how may I be of help to you?"

"I want to get a pregnancy test."

"OK ma'am, hold on a minute."

"Here's the pregnancy test you asked for ma'am."

"Ohh, Thanks."

Charlotte stepped out of the pharmacy heading straight to the car.

"Where's your next stop ma'am?"

"Just go straight to my apartment."

The driver slowed the car down.

"Is this the address, ma'am?"

"Yes."

The Rolls-Royce came to a stop in front of the three-story apartment building where Charlotte had lived and called home for years.

For a moment, no one in the apartment moved.

Until the driver opened the door and Charlotte stepped out.

Mrs Delgado from the ground-floor unit froze in the middle of watering her plants. Two teenagers sitting on the steps stopped talking. A man who had been fixing his motorcycle slowly looked in Charlotte's direction.

Their eyes moved from Charlotte...

...to the long, to the sleek Rolls-Royce behind her.

"Is that... Charlotte?"

"Where did that car come from?"

"That thing probably costs more than this whole building."

"Ma'am," the assistant said, "would you like me to escort you upstairs?"

"No. That won't be necessary."

One of the teenagers in the apartment said.

"Did she seriously just get out of that billionaire car?"

Mrs Delgado called out curiously, "Charlotte, honey... is that your ride?"

"Yes Mrs Delgado, it's mine."

Upon getting to the door of her apartment,

The door opened and standing in front of her was Bruce who stood there clapping as he started.

"Well, well, who do I have here? Isn't it Charlotte Hayes, or should I say Mrs Norman?

"Shut up Bruce and get out of my way."

"It seems you may have forgotten the manner in which you are allowed to speak to me."

"You seem not to be aware how much of a f**k is don't give."