I was steaming mad the whole ride home.

At dinner, Jack tried to perk me up with my favorite—braised pork—but I just couldn't stomach it.

"Babe, the lady's almost here. You gotta eat up if you wanna keep up with her," Jack said, furrowing his brow.

At that moment, I seriously considered just dropping dead. Who's got the appetite?

Oh, Sophie, you were dazzled by dollar signs, now you're in too deep!

As Jack wolfed down his meal, I got this twisted idea.

Want both the real lady and the stand-in? When she shows up, I'm blowing the lid off everything and taking her with me!

By 7 PM, a cat's meow announced the door opening.

I stretched my neck but after the secretary cleared out, it was just the cat—no sign of Jack's ex.

"Where's your lady?" I asked.

Stroking the cat, Jack looked up, "She's right here in my arms."

I was rendered speechless.

"This is Lady, she's three and a half," Jack added.

I smirked, biting back a curse.

Lady, the little white cat in Jack's lap, elegantly flicked her tail.

Jack caught my eye with a smug glint as he petted her.

He'd known I'd misunderstood all along and was getting a kick out of it.

"Fine, I don't care, I'm out of here!" I declared, hands on my hips.

Just then, something furry brushed against my foot.

Looking down, there was Lady.

Those big, shiny eyes and tiny paws gently tugging at my pants.

And her sad look was irresistible.

Three seconds later, I found myself on the couch, playing with Lady until I was out of breath, and she still wasn't done with me.

Meanwhile, Jack was buried in his laptop, handling business.

A stomach rumble loud enough to echo through the living room interrupted us.

Jack glanced over, "See? Should've eaten more. Now you're too wiped out to play with Lady."

He put aside his work and stood up, heading for the kitchen.

Was that a hint of affection in his voice just now?

But I'm just a stand-in, a stand-in for a cat, at that!

I remember bragging to my friends when I first took this gig.

[I'm the stand-in for Jack Ray's ex. She must have been quite something. Here I am, Sophie Morris, honored and all!]

Now, holding Lady as she cuddled up to me, I sighed. This wasn't what I'd signed up for.

With Lady back, the house felt livelier, and I found a new delight: cat-cuddling.

When Jack and I duked it out over who got to pet her, rock-paper-scissors decided. I usually won, leaving Jack to the glamorous job of changing kitty litter.

Naturally, Lady grew more attached to me.

She'd bring flowers from the garden or share her toys, making us the best of buddies.

Three days after Lady's return, I went all out and got a bunch of cat toys.

When I got back, I found Jack shirtless, cleaning up a vase Lady had knocked over.

His muscles caught my eye, and I had to swallow hard.

Definitely just back from the gym—that was just plain cheating!

As we locked eyes, I quickly grabbed a trash bin to look busy.

"I'll clean this up, you go shower," I muttered, feeling my cheeks blaze.

Walking around shirtless, was he trying to get me to sin?

Jack nodded and headed off, reminding me to be careful with the glass.

I pretended to focus on cleaning, but as soon as he turned away, my gaze wandered back to his toned shoulders and slim waist.

Man, that waist is a crime scene—wonder who's the lucky gal!

"Meow~"

Lady's call snapped me back to the present, and I quickly tidied up the mess.

Exhausted, I stretched out on the couch, only for Lady to leap up beside me.

I was really too beat to play.

Yet, she meowed insistently and tossed a pair of boxer shorts onto my face.

My goodness!

Picking them up, I suddenly found a second wind.

They were Jack's boxers, of all things!

"Lady, you really shouldn't be giving these to me!"

"Meow~" Lady being all cute.

I facepalmed.

"We gotta hustle and get these boxers back while Jack's still in the shower!"

I sneaked to Jack's room, Lady quietly tagging along.

Just as I was about to drop the boxers back on the bed, Lady leaped up and swung the bathroom door open.

"Lady, you traitor!"

I freaked.

Even more shocking was seeing Jack in the bathroom, fresh from the shower, droplets glistening on his skin.

Those broad shoulders, that narrow waist, the long legs, and defined abs.

They made me feel like I was standing in an inferno.

The boxers in my hand felt like they were on fire.

I quickly covered my eyes, flinging the boxers which smacked right into my face.

I could hear Jack's footsteps getting closer; my nerves tightened, and I was rooted to the spot.

Inside, I was cursing Lady over and over.

So annoying, I wasn't even into him, but Lady made it look like I was some creep!

"I swear, I wasn't trying to steal your boxers, nor did I send Lady to peek!"

"It's all a big misunderstanding, believe me?"

I blurted out, still covering my eyes.

My heart was racing, terrified of being misunderstood, but Jack hadn't made a sound for ages.

I was tempted to look, yet afraid of seeing too much—though I had already seen plenty.

As I was panicking, a warm breath whispered in my ear, sending tingles down my spine.

"Of course, I believe you, Sophie. I trust everything you say," he teased, his chin nearly resting on my shoulder.

Being so close, I could slightly feel his chest muscles through his shirt.

I, speechless, just blinked, utterly lost for words.

Complete nonsense—he clearly didn't buy it.

Obviously, he was enjoying watching me squirm!

"Really, even if it wasn't a misunderstanding, it's fine. We are legally married, after all!"

He paused, then whispered in my ear once more.

His words made me shiver, and my legs nearly gave out.

Luckily, he caught me in time, or I'd have really made a fool of myself.

His strong arms enveloped me, the sensation of his muscles against my skin overwhelming.

I trembled, shoved the boxers into his hands, avoided eye contact, and fled the room.

Lady followed me out, but I slammed the door before she could catch up.

I patted my burning cheeks, then clasped my chest.

Sophie, Sophie, it was just a peek at a hot guy—why the meltdown?

To avoid Jack the next day, I holed up in my room until nine.

But as soon as I opened the door, there he was in the living room.

I was startled, and almost slammed the door, but then Jack's voice stopped me.

"It's Sunday."

Sunday was supposed to be family dinner day at Jack's parents'.

And it was already nine—I was still in my pajamas!

"Why didn't you wake me earlier!" I exploded.

Jack looked hurt.

"I thought you were up late last night," he replied.

I was livid.

Sure, he's got a killer body, but he doesn't need to be so cocky!

Though, admittedly, last night was all about his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and those abs...

Feeling my cheeks heat up, I hastily shut the door.

I rushed through my morning routine and then followed Jack to the car for the ride to his folks'.

As I settled in, Jack reached over, startling me so much that my head hit the window.

I glared at him mournfully.

Jack frowned, then handed me a piece of bread and a milk carton.

"Eat something to settle your stomach, buckle up, and..."

"And what?" I asked.

He tapped his nose, chuckled, and quipped, "And your face is pretty red."

I was stunned into silence.

Is too much blush really such a crime?

Jack's parents were as welcoming as ever, serving up a feast filled with all my favorites.

I was digging in with gusto until Jack's mom chimed in unexpectedly.

"Did the cat make it back?"

Jack nodded affirmatively.

His mom set her fork down with a stern look.

"I heard pregnant women shouldn't be around pets. What if Sophie ends up pregnant?"

Her words were so startling that I choked on the fish I was eating.

A bone lodged in my throat, and I couldn't get it out by all means.

That sent everyone into a panic, and Jack whisked me off to the hospital without delay.

Fortunately, it wasn't deep, and the doctor removed it quickly with tweezers.

"How's your throat feeling now?"

Jack handed me a cup of warm water and some pain relievers.

I shook my head, indicating I was okay.

My throat was fine, but his mom's comment had scared me more than a little.

"Jack, you initially brought me in to stand in for Lady."

"Now that she's back, when are we planning to divorce?"

That was really eating at me.

I had naively thought we could continue as before, but today's lunch was a harsh dose of reality.

If I had to describe it, our relationship was more like a benefactor and beneficiary than anything real.

Although we're technically married, it's just on paper.

Sooner or later, Jack will find someone he truly loves, get married for real, and start a family.

This arrangement can't last forever.

Jack sat up straight, his face going pale.

I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept mine down, too nervous to meet his gaze.

"You gave me five million at the start. If that's now an issue, we could talk about giving some back?"

I spoke carefully, testing the waters.

Jack scoffed coldly.

"I always keep my word. The amount I promised is yours to keep. As for the divorce, have my secretary set something up," he stated firmly.

I was taken aback.

"It's just a divorce; it should be quick, right?"

"And there's the cooling-off period to consider. We should start the process early."

"I'm too booked up to change plans last minute," Jack explained, highlighting how valuable his time was.

I nodded, understanding his point.

His days as a CEO are packed; managing a company doesn't leave much free time.

He passed me his secretary's business card, then excused himself to freshen up.

I tried calling several times, but the line was always busy.

Being busy was an understatement for Jack, and apparently for his secretary too.

Finally, after half an hour, I got through.

"Mr. Ray's schedule is fully booked for the next three months. Is it okay to slot you in after that?"

It felt like a cold splash of reality.

Clenching my teeth, I managed a terse "Okay" before hanging up.

Had Jack always been this busy?

I returned to my room to unwind, but as soon as I entered, a strange smell hit me.

It was coming from my bed, and upon inspection, I discovered a pile of cat poop.

If karma was real, it should strike me directly, not through my bed!

My scream of frustration drew Jack to the scene.

He reassured me repeatedly that he would take care of the mess.

Swiftly, he stripped the bed, remarking, "These can't be used anymore. I'll dispose of them."

"Just leave everything to me; I'll sort out replacements," he assured as he took the dirty bedding away.

I sighed and fetched fresh bedding from the closet.

By the time I finished, Jack had returned.

He proposed locking Lady up, to which I wholeheartedly agreed.

The cat deserved a time-out for her antics.

But Lady was nowhere to be found, until her meow echoed again from my room.

There was a fresh mess on the bed.

Jack went to handle Lady while I leaned, exhausted, against the door.

I mulled over what I might have done to offend Lady.

She was too quick for Jack, who returned, panting and empty-handed.

"You can sleep in my room tonight; I'll take the couch," he offered.

I sighed, resigned to the change in sleeping arrangements.

Moments later, Jack came back, holding the couch's bedding.

Our eyes met, and I immediately saw the defeat in his.

The couch had been Lady's next target.

"She never used to be like this," Jack massaged his temples.

"Maybe she's sick? We could take her to the vet tomorrow," I suggested.

"Let's just sleep on it for now," he agreed.

I stiffened.

Was he suggesting we sleep together?!