Despite our attempts to keep the wedding private, news still leaked out. The next morning, all major newspapers had our wedding announcement on their front pages.

"Artist and Billionaire: The Wedding of the Century"


"Haston-Blake Union: Business or Love?"

"A New Beginning After Scandal: Ella Haston Marries Alexander Blake"

I sat in the kitchen of Alexander's apartment, browsing through these reports, feeling a strange sense of detachment. The marriage described in these articles seemed completely different from my actual experience.


"They're portraying it as a fairy tale," I commented as Alexander walked into the kitchen.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and glanced at the newspapers. "The media always likes to romanticize everything."


"Even business arrangements?" I asked half-jokingly.

Alexander's gaze grew profound. "Yes, even like that."

Our conversation was interrupted by the telephone ring. It was my father, who had safely arrived in Italy with my mother.

"It's beautiful here," he said, his voice more relaxed than I had heard in weeks. "You should see the sunlight here, Ella. It makes me want to paint."

I smiled. "That's wonderful, Dad. You should paint."

"How are you and Alexander?" he asked, with a hint of concern in his voice.

"We're good," I assured him. "Everything is going according to plan."

After hanging up, Alexander suggested we go to his office. "There are some people who want to meet you," he said. "As the wife of the CEO of Blake Enterprises, you should know some key figures."

I nodded in agreement, despite feeling somewhat uneasy. In my previous life, I never truly integrated into the Blake family's business world. Alexander always kept me out, viewing me as a decoration rather than a partner.

But this time, when we walked into Blake Enterprises headquarters, Alexander proudly introduced me to everyone. "This is my wife, Ella Blake," he said, using my new surname which gave me a strange warmth.

The meeting was going smoothly until the last person walked into the conference room—Katherine Stanford.

She looked paler and more tense than the last time I saw her, but still maintained that innate elegance.

"Alex," she smiled, then turned to me, her smile becoming stiff. "Ella. Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you," I responded coldly.

"Katherine," Alexander's voice was equally cold. "I thought our meeting was in the afternoon."

"Yes, but I have some urgent matters to discuss," she said, her gaze moving back and forth between us. "In private."

Alexander looked at me, as if seeking permission. I nodded. "I can take a tour of the company."

"No, stay," Alexander said, holding my hand. "As my wife, you have the right to know anything related to the company."

Katherine's expression became more tense. "Alright," she finally agreed. "It's about my father. He... he was found dead in his office. Suicide."

I felt a shock. "What?"

"The police believe it was due to the pressure from the Victoria case," Katherine continued, her voice trembling. "He left a letter confessing his role in the fraud."

Alexander's expression turned serious. "I'm sorry to hear this news, Katherine."

"Thank you," she said, then took a deep breath. "But that's not the only reason I came here. My father's letter also mentioned some... other things. About your marriage."

I felt a wave of unease. "What do you mean?"

Katherine took a letter out of her bag. "He claimed your marriage is fake, arranged to protect the Haston family. He said he has evidence."

I exchanged a cautious glance with Alexander.

"This is absurd," Alexander said firmly. "My marriage to Ella is real."

"Perhaps," Katherine said, with a hint of doubt in her voice. "But if this news leaks out, considering all the recent scandals, it could cause more damage."

I suddenly understood her intention. "Are you threatening us, Katherine?"

She feigned shock. "Of course not! I'm just warning you as a friend."

Alexander's gaze turned cold. "I think we've heard enough. Please leave, Katherine."

She stood up and smoothed her dress. "As you wish. But remember my warning. Some secrets cannot remain hidden forever."

After she left, I turned to Alexander. "What is she plotting?"

"I'm not sure," he pondered. "But whatever it is, we need to be prepared."

That night, we received an unexpected invitation—the annual charity gala of the Blake family. Usually, this event would be planned months in advance, but this year, it seemed to be arranged in haste.

"This is strange," I commented, looking at the invitation. "Why now?"

"This is Katherine's doing," Alexander said with certainty. "She's the chairperson of the organizing committee. She must be planning to do something there."

"Should we go?"

Alexander thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. But we need to be prepared for anything."

On the night of the gala, I wore an elegant black dress, while Alexander wore a perfectly tailored suit. When we walked into the venue, all eyes turned to us.

Katherine immediately came over, wearing a shimmering silver gown, looking beautiful and dangerous.

"Alex, Ella," she said with a smile. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"We wouldn't miss it," Alexander responded coolly.

The banquet was going smoothly until Katherine stood up to give a speech.

"Distinguished guests," she began, her voice sweet and confident. "We are gathered here tonight not only to support our charitable cause, but also to celebrate love."

She turned toward Alexander and me. "We have newlyweds among us, Alexander and Ella Black. Let's raise a toast to them!"

Everyone raised their glasses, but I felt a sense of foreboding.

"Love is so beautiful, isn't it?" Katherine continued. "Especially when it's real."

Her emphasis made my heart sink.

"But sometimes, marriage isn't about love, but about... convenience." Her gaze became sharp. "About protection. About escaping scandal."

The atmosphere in the room became tense.

"Katherine," Alexander said in a warning tone.

"Oh, don't worry, Alex," she said with a fake smile. "I'm just contemplating the nature of love. After all, we all know how... sudden your marriage to Ella was."

At that moment, a waiter walked toward Katherine and handed her an envelope. She opened it, feigning surprise.

"Oh, what's this?" she asked with feigned innocence. "It appears to be an agreement signed by Alexander and Ella before their marriage. An agreement stipulating that their marriage is temporary, arranged for PR purposes."

The room erupted in surprised whispers.

I felt a wave of panic. We did sign such an agreement, but it was private, known only to us and the lawyers.

Alexander stood up, with an anger on his face that I had never seen before. "Enough, Katherine."

"Why?" she asked provocatively. "Are you afraid of the truth? Afraid that everyone will know your marriage is fake?"

In that moment, I made a decision. I stood up and walked toward Katherine.

"You're right, Katherine," I said calmly, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Alexander and I did sign an agreement."

The whispers in the room grew more intense.

"But you're wrong about one thing," I continued. "Our marriage isn't fake."

I turned to Alexander, whose eyes flickered with surprise and... was that hope?

"When we signed that agreement, we both thought it was just a business arrangement," I said, my voice softening. "But sometimes, life surprises you. Sometimes, you find love in the most unexpected places."

I walked to Alexander and took his hand. "I fell in love with my husband. Not because of an agreement, not for protection, but because of who he is, because of his support for me, because of his courage and honesty."

Alexander's eyes glistened with emotion as he held my hand tightly.

"So yes, Katherine," I turned to her, my voice firm. "Our marriage may have started as an arrangement, but it has become more. It has become real."

Katherine's face turned pale, her plan had clearly failed.

Alexander suddenly pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply in front of everyone. This kiss was different from any we had shared before—it was filled with passion, commitment, and... love?

When we broke apart, the room erupted into applause. Katherine stood there, shocked and furious, her plan completely foiled.

"I think we should leave," Alexander whispered in my ear.

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief and happiness.

As we left the dinner, Alexander held my hand tightly. "What you said back there... was it true?"

I looked into his eyes, those eyes I had once loved, then hated, and now was beginning to love again.

"Yes," I said softly. "I think so."

He smiled, a genuine smile full of joy. "Then perhaps our marriage is no longer just an arrangement."

"No," I agreed. "Perhaps it isn't."

On the way back to the apartment, the atmosphere in the car became tense and full of anticipation. Alexander kept holding my hand, his thumb drawing small circles on the back of my hand, this simple gesture making my heart race.

The moment the elevator doors closed behind us, Alexander could no longer control himself. He pushed me against the wall, cupped my face with both hands, his lips eagerly seeking mine. This kiss was different from all the previous ones—no more hesitation, no more reservations, only pure desire and passion.

"Ella," he whispered between kisses, his voice hoarse with desire. "You don't know how long I've waited for this moment."

My fingers ran through his black hair, pulling him closer. The elevator reached the top floor and the door opened, but we barely noticed. In one fluid motion, Alexander lifted me up, my legs wrapped around his waist, and he carried me to the bedroom just like that.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he placed me on the bed, his eyes flickering with desire but also respect.

As an answer, I unbuttoned the first button of his shirt. "More sure than anything."

His gaze grew deeper as he leaned down to kiss me again, his hands beginning to explore my body as if memorizing every curve. Our clothes fell to the floor one by one, and the feeling of skin against skin made us both sigh with satisfaction.

Alexander's lips left mine, trailing down my jaw and neck, each kiss like a flame ignited on my skin. His movements were both urgent and gentle, full of desire for me and cherishing.

"You're unbelievably beautiful," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Our bodies intertwined, our breathing and heartbeats gradually synchronizing. In this moment, all the past, all the pain, all the doubts were cast aside. Only now, only us, only these feelings finally released.

When we finally became one, the sense of completeness was almost unbearable. Alexander's eyes never left mine, as if making sure all this was real. We moved together, climbed together, and finally reached the peak together.

Afterwards, Alexander held me tightly in his arms, his heartbeat gradually calming. He gently kissed my forehead, his fingers softly combing through my hair.

"I love you, Ella," he said softly, the first time he had spoken these words. "Not because of arrangements, not because of convenience, but because of you. Because of who you are, because you make me a better person."

I leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, feeling a sense of peace and satisfaction I had never experienced before. "I love you too, Alexander."

In that moment, I knew our relationship had completely changed. This was no longer a transaction, no longer an arrangement. This was real, this was the path we had chosen together.

And I, for the first time, felt that perhaps being reborn had given me not just an opportunity for revenge, but also the possibility of true happiness.