After waiting for the other end to calm down a bit, she finally spoke. "Liv, remember the distant cousin you once told me about..."

"Which one?" Olivia sounded confused for a second.

"The one who's still single, your family keeps bugging him to get married?"

"Oh! Him!"

Her voice shot up instantly, filled with disbelief and excitement.

"Why are you asking about him? Wait... don't tell me-you finally came around?"

Calliope let out a quiet "Yeah."

"Is he still looking to get married?"

"Heck yes! Always has been!"

Olivia nearly jumped off the couch, her voice climbing with excitement.

"Let me tell you, my cousin is drop-dead gorgeous-he's 6'2", broad shoulders, slim waist, super long legs. Dressed, he looks sharp. Shirt off? Even better."

"Only thing is, he's kinda grumpy, a bit cold... meh, you'll see when you meet him."

"But I guarantee, he's solid! Way better than Lucien, that polished jerk with a trashy core!"

While Olivia kept hyping her cousin, Calliope's lips twitched into a faint smile.

"Liv, think you could set up a meeting?"

"Say no more, I've got you! I'll hit him up right now! But hey, Cal-you sure about this?"

Calliope's tone was calm. "Yeah. I need a marriage."

There was a few seconds of silence on Olivia's end before her voice turned serious. "Cal... is this because Lucien called off the wedding? You're not just doing this to prove something, right?"

"It's not out of spite," Calliope cut her off. "My head's clear, Liv. I'll explain more later. For now, just help me arrange the meeting. The sooner the better."

"Alright. Sit tight. I'll let you know as soon as it's set."

Olivia worked fast. That same night she sent the text:

[Done! I sent your photo to my cousin-he says he's free tomorrow! Bring your ID and meet him at the marriage registration center at 9 AM sharp!]

[He's all about efficiency, lol!]

Calliope raised an eyebrow.

Efficiency, huh?

Perfect.

That was exactly what she needed-no dragging things out.

*****

Next morning, just as the sky started to lighten.

Calliope stood outside the marriage registration center, holding her ID in one hand.

She wore a white dress with a beige knit cardigan over it. Hair casually pulled up, the curve of her neck graceful and bare.

Olivia wasn't joking-her cousin really was the type who valued time.

At exactly 9 o'clock, a tall figure walked up, lit by the morning sun at his back.

He was seriously tall, probably over 6'2".

Just a black T-shirt and cargo pants - nothing flashy, but on him, it looked like a magazine spread.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and legs for days. The kind of man you feel before you even see.

As he got closer, Calliope finally saw his face clearly.

Her heart skipped.

It was him.

The man's features came into sharper focus.

His jawline was sharp and defined, exuding a certain cool edge. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, and his dark, depthless eyes looked like they could suck you in whole.

He radiated masculinity-like, the kind that hits you straight in the face.

Calliope felt her heart skip a beat.

He stopped right in front of her, towering over her almost a whole head, casting a shadow that practically swallowed her up.

"Calliope Godfrey?"

Good looks aside, his voice was also criminally attractive.

It was low, raspy, and carried a sort of magnetic pull-like a jolt straight to her eardrums.

Calliope gave herself a mental shake and nodded. "That's me. You're... Olivia's cousin?"

He gave a slight nod, glancing her over just for a second before looking away and answering in a flat tone, "Conrad Hilliard."

Calliope still found it a little hard to believe.

Olivia seriously had a cousin like this? Legendary level.

"Did you bring your ID?" Conrad asked.

"Yeah," she said instinctively, handing it over to him.

He took it and turned without hesitation. "Let's go in."

"Mr. Hilliard," she called out, making him stop, "isn't this... a bit rushed? Don't you think we should at least get to know each other more?"

Conrad didn't bother sugarcoating. "Olivia filled me in. Getting to know more is just wasting time."

Calliope was speechless.

Of course Olivia had already run her mouth. No doubt this guy knew all about her baggage by now.

"But before we register the marriage, I think there are a few things we need to make clear."

Conrad raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue.

"First, this is a contractual marriage. We both get what we need from it. I won't interfere in your life, and I expect you to stay out of mine."

"Fine."

"Second, finances stay separate. I'm not after your money, and you better not touch mine."

He gave her a quick look. "Understood."

"Lastly-this is the biggest thing for me-I have zero tolerance for lies. Any form of deceit, we're done. Can you handle that?"

That was her absolute line in the sand.

Conrad's gaze tightened a bit; the lazy vibe he had softened.

He stared at her for a few seconds.

Calliope didn't flinch, looking back at him steadily.

Finally, he responded with a brief, "Okay."

"I'm done with my conditions. Mr. Hilliard, what about yours?"

"Just one," he said, lifting his chin slightly. "I'm not into women. This marriage is just to keep my family off my back. So do us both a favor-don't catch feelings."

Calliope gave him another once-over, head to toe.

Broad shoulders, trim waist, mile-long legs. His T-shirt clung to his chest and arms, outlining solid muscle underneath.

Even through the fabric, you could sense the raw physical energy rolling off him-this guy was practically dripping hormone.

And he claimed to have no interest in women?

If he wasn't into women... then was he into men?

So this really was a no-strings-attached, strictly-business deal. Just two people teaming up for convenience.

He could smooth things over with his family, and go on living his "colorful" life.

Noticing her shifting expression, Conrad frowned. "What? Second thoughts?"

Calliope curled her lips up slightly, a faint dimple surfacing on her cheek. "What a coincidence, Mr. Hilliard. I'm honestly not into men either. Especially... your type."

"I've always been clear-headed when it comes to relationships," she added with a playful blink and an overly innocent smile. "Relax, I'm not gonna catch feelings. We're just keeping it professional, mutual benefits and all!"

Conrad was speechless.

Why did she sound so off? Her gaze felt... weird.

He turned on his heel and headed toward the registration center, striding like someone on a mission.

Calliope's ankle still wasn't fully healed. Standing too long was already making it ache again. She tried to keep up but his long legs made it impossible-she was practically dragging herself.

Watching him almost disappear into the building, she had no choice but to raise her voice. "Conrad, wait up!"

The man paused and looked back, visibly annoyed.

"Why are you so slow?" He shot her a glance like she was some kind of human snail.

Calliope opened her mouth to explain, but before she could say a word, Conrad strode back and reached her in a few steps.

And then out of nowhere-he picked her up. Like, full-on bridal carry.

"What?!" Calliope stared up at him, her heart suddenly pounding.

His arms were steady and strong, like he was barely using any effort. Through her thin clothes, she could feel the heat of his chest and the tension of his biceps.

"Oh my god!"

"That's totally a princess carry! So romantic!"

Gasps came from a few people nearby.

Calliope's ears went completely red. Two lifetimes, and she'd never been carried like this in front of so many people.

"Mr. Hilliard, seriously, put me down, I can walk," she muttered, feeling way too seen.

He glanced down at her. That look he gave was straight-up judging-like he was saying, 'You? Walk? Maybe in the next century.'

"...Whatever." She gave up fighting it and just buried her face in his chest.

If she couldn't see anyone, then no one could see her, right?

His body tensed for a second, then he walked straight to the service counter and gently set her down in the chair.

Even the lady at the counter couldn't hold back a giggle. Her gaze bounced between them with an amused twinkle. "You two are so adorable. Alright, form time!"

Calliope froze.

Please, someone dig her a hole to crawl into.

Fortunately, the office staff worked fast.

Forms, photos, vows-it all moved like a checklist. Each station took a bit of walking, and every time Calliope slowed down even slightly, those iron arms swooped in like clockwork and lifted her again.

Being carried around the office by him, her mind couldn't stop looping back to how she got the ankle injury in the first place.

That night two days ago, heading to a bar. Lucien was too busy checking his phone, didn't even notice the red light. A car was speeding their way, and she yanked him back just in time-only to twist her ankle in the process.

His response? Just a frown and a cold, "Wow, you're clumsy."

Then he had Angelina help her cross the street, not even offering a hand himself.

Thinking about all that now-and looking at the man holding her like she weighed nothing-her supposedly-temporary husband didn't seem all that bad. A little grumpy, sure, and kind of rough around the edges, but... not the worst.