I never imagined finding myself in this situation—forced into a marriage with a stranger to fulfill my parents' wishes. The idea was entirely unreasonable. Two years ago, Abi's parents tragically lost their lives in a horrific accident, and it was on the day of their funeral that I first met her. I must admit, she displayed remarkable resilience. She didn't shed a single tear throughout the funeral proceedings. Instead, she stood stoically by their graves, silently enduring the pain, undoubtedly attempting to maintain composure for the sake of everyone present.

My parents, knowing that she had no other family, willingly took her under their care. Our parents had been close friends, and they saw fit to arrange our marriage. I initially protested the idea, unlike Abi, who simply agreed due to her lack of alternatives.

And now here we were, bound in matrimony, devoid of any love. We entered into this union solely to please our parents, particularly to honor Abi's deceased parents. I had to come to terms with the fact that I had married a stranger, someone I knew nothing about. She wasn't even my type. She remained a stranger, and that's precisely how it would stay.

Abi'S P.O.V

"You can start next Monday if you'd like, Mrs. Turner," Weston said after our interview.

My face lit up with joy. "Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this job means to me," I expressed my gratitude, relieved that I had finally been accepted.

He smiled warmly. "You're very welcome, Mrs. Turner."

"Please, just call me Abi," I insisted.

He chuckled. "Sure thing, Abi." Weston walked me out of his office, bidding me farewell. I headed toward Bennett, waiting for me in the car.

Bennett glanced at me with curiosity. "You seem happy, Ma'am. I'm guessing you got the job?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! And guess what? I can start next week!"

"Congratulations, Ma'am. You deserve it," he complimented.

"Thanks, Bennett!"

As we arrived home, I entered the house with a wide grin plastered across my face. Finally, I had secured a job and could break free from the monotony of this place. I couldn't wait to start working on Monday.

Passing through the living room, I was taken aback to find Maverick sitting on the couch, watching TV. Shouldn't he be at the office? Well, I didn't really care. I was halfway up the stairs when I heard him call my name. I turned to see him standing near the staircase.

"Where were you?" he inquired.

"Wandering," I responded curtly.

"Where?"

"Somewhere."

"Where exactly?" Irritation tinged his voice.

I furrowed my brows. "Why do you want to know?"

"Answer me," he demanded.

Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Why do you care?" He glared at me, clearly tired of my attitude. "If you must know, I went to town to secure a job. And guess what? I got it!" I cheered, intentionally aiming to annoy him further.

Continuing my ascent up the stairs, I was called out once again.

"A job? Where? And why do you even need a job?" Maverick's questions persisted.

I turned to face him. "You ask a lot of questions, don't you?"

He groaned and advanced towards me, positioning himself a step higher. "Don't play games with me, Abi. Just answer my questions."

Well, hearing my name roll off his tongue sounded surprisingly good. But back to the matter at hand.

"Why do you think I need a job? I want to escape this monotonous existence. I want to work and not be confined to this house, doing nothing," I responded, frustration seeping into my tone.

"You're not working. Quit your job right now," he ordered before heading to his room.

This time, I halted his departure. "Pardon me? I didn't ask for your opinion. My job has nothing to do with you. You're not my boss of mine!"

He remained composed, though his eyes emanated a chilling coldness. "I am your husband. I have control over every aspect of your life. Your job is my concern too. Therefore, you're not taking that job."

My anger flared. "My husband? Since when? Oh, right, only on paper, considering you don't even value this marriage as an honor to my deceased parents!"

I practically yelled at him, surprising not only him but myself as well. He appeared taken aback by my outburst, but he quickly composed himself. I was never one to raise my voice, especially not toward him. However, his mention of our marriage reminded me of my parents.

Attempting to calm my anger, I sighed. "I apologize for raising my voice. I didn't mean to yell at you. But please, I truly need this job. I want to work."

He remained silent, his gaze locked onto mine. For once, my heart skipped a beat. I wasn't accustomed to him staring at me like this.

Finally, he sighed. "Alright, you can work."

Excitement flooded my being. "Really?"

"But only for six months, initially. We'll reassess the situation afterward," he added, still observing me intently. Six months would suffice. As long as I could escape this suffocating house, I didn't mind.

"Now, go before I change my mind," he concluded.

Without a second thought, I rushed to my room, bursting with happiness. For the first time in a while, I felt a genuine sense of joy, knowing that something new was about to unfold in my life.

Abi's POV

It was my fifth day working at Foster Media, and I could confidently say that I was enjoying my time there. Although I initially struggled, I was getting used to the work. I had also made friends with my coworkers, Addison and Christian. They were in the same department as me and were incredibly nice and friendly.

While we were arranging some papers, Reyna, Mr. Foster's PA, approached Addison. "Addison, the boss is asking for you," she informed her.

Addison nodded and adjusted her hair. "I'll be right there. Thanks, Reyna." She turned to us. "Gotta go, guys. I'll catch up with you later," she said before leaving with Reyna.

Christian rolled his chair closer to mine. "So, what do you think of our boss?"

"What about him?" I replied, curious about his line of questioning.

"He's quite the catch, isn't he? God, I never get tired of looking at that sexy piece of eye candy," Christian remarked, shaking his head.

I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you..."

He rolled his eyes. "Ugh, I thought it was obvious, Abi! Yes, I'm gay, and I'm proud of it."

I burst out laughing, earning a glare from Christian. "I'm sorry, Chris. I'm not laughing at you. It's just... I swear I've seen Danielle drooling over you every time she sees you," I managed to say amid my laughter.

Danielle, from the marketing department, had been noticeably infatuated with Christian for the past few days. Anyone who saw her could tell that she had a crush on him.

Christian sighed. "I feel bad for her. She confessed her love for me a few months ago, but I told her I'm not interested in women. She thought I was just trying to let her down gently. She never believed me," he explained.

Poor girl.

During our lunch break, the three of us decided to visit a local coffee shop near the office. After ordering our meals, Christian couldn't resist gushing about how attractive our boss was. I couldn't help but chuckle at his infatuation. Weston Foster was undeniably handsome.

As I scanned the area, my eyes fell upon someone sitting on a nearby couch. The person looked oddly familiar. Then, as he turned his gaze toward me, I recognized his face. Wait, that's my husband! What was he doing here? Just luck, our eyes met, and he appeared surprised to see me. He stood up and approached our table.

"And I swear I could climb him like a..." Christian continued raving about our boss, unaware that my husband had joined us.

"Hey, sweeAbirt. I didn't know you were here," my husband greeted me with a smile, placing a hand on my back. Yes, we pretended to be affectionate in public. It was quite comical, witnessing Maverick play the role of a sweet-talker.

Christian stopped mid-sentence and stared at Maverick, his eyes sparkling. Not again!

"Hey, honey. Meet my friends, Addison and Christian. Guys, this is my husband, Maverick," I introduced them, playing along with our charade.

"Hello," Maverick greeted my friends, then turned to me. "We're going to my parents' house tonight. I'll pick you up at the office."

"Oh, okay," I responded.

He smiled and gave me a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you later," he said before walking away, leaving me pondering his whereabouts.

Silence enveloped us. I suspected that my friends, especially Christian, had no idea that I was married. Well, I had never explicitly told them.

"What the fuck!" Christian suddenly exclaimed after our period of silence. "You never told me you're married to a fucking sex god. Holy shit, is he good in bed?"

I spat out my drink in response to his question, catching him off guard. Christian looked at me, perplexed. If only he knew...

"Chris, it's none of your business to ask that," Addison scolded him, playfully hitting his arm. She turned to me. "Abi, you never told us you were married," she added.

I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry. It must have slipped my mind."

"But seriously, your husband is unbelievably attractive. I think I'm in love with him. It was love at first sight," Christian dreamily confessed.

I rolled my eyes. "He's alright, I guess. And no, Chris, you can't love him. He's married to me," I retorted.

He let out a dramatic sigh. "Unfortunately. Well, I still have hope for our boss, though," he said, earning a chuckle from me. Christian truly was a funny guy.

After lunch, we returned to the office and resumed work. My mind wandered to the evening's plans. It had been a while since I last saw Brooklyn and Landon; I believe it was on our wedding day. I couldn't help but wonder what would transpire tonight.

Finally, it was 6 PM, and everyone left the office to go home. I stood in front of the building, waiting for Maverick to pick me up. Usually, Bennett, our driver, would handle the task, but Maverick insisted on picking me up today.

15 minutes had passed, and I was still standing alone in front of the office, waiting for my husband to arrive. Frustration grew within me as I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. After what felt like an eternity, he finally answered my call.

"What?" He snapped in an irritated tone.

"Hello to you too, dear husband," I sarcastically replied, imagining him rolling his eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, nothing really. But didn't you promise to pick me up from my office? Where the hell are you? I've been waiting for 15 minutes, and these heels are killing me!" I ranted, letting my frustrations pour out in one breath.

"Geez, woman, you talk a lot," he sighed with annoyance. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out, even though he couldn't see me. "About that, I can't pick you up right now. I'm still busy."

I shook my head in disbelief. "I can't believe you, Maverick. The least you could have done is let me know, so I wouldn't have to wait. Geez, I'll call Bennett to pick me up."

"No, you can't. Bennett is with me right now, and he can't leave yet. Just grab a taxi or something," he responded dismissively.

I groaned in frustration. "You're impossible, you selfish prick!" I snapped before ending the call.

I couldn't believe that he had promised to pick me up and then failed to do so. And I couldn't rely on Bennett either. That selfish asshole.

"Abi?" Someone called out my name. I turned around to find my boss standing behind me. "Why are you still here?"

"Oh, I was waiting for my husband, but apparently, he's needed for a meeting and can't pick me up now," I explained with a tinge of disappointment.

He nodded understandingly. "Okay, let me drive you home."

"Oh no, you don't have to. Thank you so much for the offer, but I'll just grab a taxi," I politely declined his offer.

He smiled warmly. "Nonsense, taxis can be dangerous sometimes. It would put my mind at ease to know you're safely home with me."

That was the sweetest thing someone had ever said to me.

"Alright then, if you don't mind," I acquiesced.

He simply smiled and led the way to his car. He stopped by my side and opened the door for me. I thanked him and got into the car, and he closed the door before taking his seat. As he started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, I couldn't help but feel a little awkward being alone with my boss, especially since I was still new in the office.

"So, how do you feel about working in my office? Have you gotten used to it yet?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"It's been okay. I had some initial struggles, but I'm getting used to it," I replied honestly.

He glanced at me, concern evident in his eyes. "Nobody's giving you a hard time, right?"

I shook my head. "No, everyone has been really nice and welcoming."

He nodded with relief. "Good. I make sure all the employees treat each other like friends, avoiding any unnecessary hardships for newcomers. A harmonious team is crucial for running a successful business."

I smiled appreciatively. It was incredibly generous and considerate of him to care about his employees. Initially, I had expected him to be arrogant and cold, but he turned out to be genuinely friendly.

"Turn right here; my house is at the corner of this street," I directed as we approached my home.

He simply nodded and made the right turn. I pointed out my house, and he parked in front of the fence. Opening the door for me, he stepped out and gestured for me to exit the car. I thanked him again and closed the door.

"Thank you so much for the ride, Mr. Foster," I expressed my gratitude.

"Please, just call me Weston. Mr. Foster sounds too formal for me," he replied with a warm smile.

I nodded in agreement. "Okay, Weston. I'll head inside now. Thank you again for the ride."

"No need to thank me. I'll see you at work tomorrow," he said before getting back into the car. Rolling down the window, he waved at me.

"Bye, take care," I waved back as he drove away.

Sighing, I turned around and pressed the bell on the fence. The security guard, Jordan, opened the gate and appeared surprised to see me.

"Mrs. Turner? I-I thought you were with Sir. Mr. Turner just came back not long ago," he said, widening the gate for me to enter. I noticed that the car was already parked in the garage.

Asshole. I thought he said he was still busy.

I turned to Jordan, addressing him by name. "Well, your master told me to grab a taxi instead."

Everyone in our house, the maids, security personnel, and the driver, knew that our marriage was not based on love. They were well aware of how Maverick treated me at home, so I didn't have to pretend to be happy within these walls.

Jordan frowned apologetically. "I'm sorry, Abi."

"Nah, it's not your fault, Jordan. And by the way, what have I told you about calling me by my name?" I reminded him gently.

He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Abi."

"Please remember that. I don't want you to call me 'Mrs.' anymore, understood?"

"Okay, Abi."

I returned his smile. "Thank you. I'll head inside now. Good night, Jordan."

Walking toward the front door, I pressed the bell, and Harper promptly opened it, welcoming me in. I kicked off my painful heels and removed my blazer.

"I made some apple juice, Abi. Would you like some?" Harper offered as she took my blazer from my hand.

My eyes lit up. "Oh, yes, please! Harper, you know, I love apple juice. You don't even have to ask."

She giggled. "I just wanted to tease you, Abi."

Chuckling, I followed Harper to the kitchen. As soon as I spotted the apple juice on the table, I grabbed a glass and eagerly took a sip. It was pure bliss.

"I don't understand your love for apples, Abi," Harper remarked as I finished my drink in one gulp.

"Apples remind me of my mother. She always made me apple juice whenever I came back from school," I shared, a tinge of sadness creeping into my voice. It had been two years since my parents' passing, and the pain still lingered.

Harper looked guilty. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of your parents," she apologized, sensing my longing for them.

"It's okay. I'll always miss them. They were my only family, and now I'm all alone," I confessed, tears welling up in my eyes as the realization of my loss hit me.

As she spoke those words, I found myself enveloped in a heartfelt hug. "Abi, darling, you are not alone. This is your family. Everyone in this house is your family. Mr. and Mrs. Turner is your family. And you have me too, Abi. We are family."

Tears welled up in my eyes as her words sank in. I clung to her tightly, allowing my tears to flow freely. She was right. I wasn't alone. Despite Maverick's animosity towards me, the Turner family was still my family. And Harper, she had become like another mother to me.

Suddenly, someone cleared their throat, interrupting our moment. Harper and I hastily pulled away, and I quickly wiped my tears, trying to compose myself. I glanced at my glass, avoiding eye contact with Maverick.

"I-erm, I'll take your blazer and purse to your room, Mrs. Turner," Harper stammered, clearly sensing the tension in the room. She promptly left the kitchen, leaving me alone with my so-called husband.