***

Emma stood in her living room, staring at the crumpled proposal letter in her hand as if it held the answers to life itself. The ink seemed to blur with her disbelief. “A fake marriage?” she echoed, her voice a mix of disbelief and amusement. The air felt charged, electric with the absurdity of the situation.

Across from her, leaning casually against the wall, was Liam—her childhood nemesis turned reluctant ally. His trademark cocky grin was firmly in place, but today it felt strangely disarming. “It’s perfect,” he replied, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “We save our families from the scandal of a lifetime, and who knows? We might even have a little fun along the way.”

Emma’s brow furrowed as she processed his words. “Fun? You think pretending to be married is fun? What’s the worst that could happen? Falling for my fake husband?” The last words slipped out before she could stop them, and her cheeks flushed with the realization.

Liam’s playful expression faltered for just a moment, replaced by something deeper. “Let’s be real, Emma. This is just a contract—an arrangement. But…” His gaze intensified, and the playful banter in the room shifted. “What if we made it interesting? You know, put on a show.”

Her heart raced. This was not how she envisioned her day going. Just a few hours ago, she was a normal university student trying to juggle assignments, friendships, and the suffocating expectations of her family. Now, she was entangled in a ludicrous scheme to pretend to marry her rival.

With rivals already lurking in the shadows—like Ava, the perfect, poised girl who always seemed to have everything Emma wanted—and Ryan, the charming new guy who was way too interested in her, the stakes were impossibly high. But the real challenge lay within. Emma had her own demons to battle—pressure from her family, the weight of unfulfilled dreams, and now the potential of real feelings for Liam.

As she stood there, caught between laughter and dread, Emma felt an undeniable spark igniting between them. What started as an outrageous plan to save face might just lead to real emotions, complicated feelings, and a whirlwind romance neither of them saw coming.

With a deep breath, she met Liam’s gaze, her resolve hardening. “Fine. Let’s do this. But remember, it’s all an act.”

And in that moment, Emma realized she was stepping into a world filled with chaos, laughter, and the unpredictable nature of love. Little did they know, this fake marriage would unravel their lives in ways they never imagined, setting them on a path filled with unexpected challenges and heart-stopping moments that would test their limits and reveal the truth about what it means to love and be loved.

***

Hi everyone, hope you are interested in reading this story. I have had this storyline for quite its some time and I finally was able to create it.

I’ll be updating each chapter every 4 days. Please stay tuned for the first chapter!

The soft hum of a maid's footsteps echoed through the hallways of the Carmichael house as Emma lay sprawled on her bed, sunlight trickling through the gaps in her curtains. The room, spacious and elegantly furnished, hinted at the privilege she had been born into—though it never really felt like her own achievement. Her shelves were filled with old trophies from academic competitions, ballet slippers hung on the walls as a nostalgic token from a life she outgrew, and family portraits lined the walls, showing her and her mother at various events.

Outside, the sound of cars pulling into the driveway signaled the start of yet another workday for her mother, Claudia Carmichael, a formidable figure in the business world. As Emma pulled herself out of bed, she caught the scent of freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen.

She descended the stairs slowly, knowing what she'd find: her mother, Claudia, already dressed in her impeccable business attire, running over the day’s agenda with the maid, Maria, who nodded along while handing her a briefcase. Claudia was the kind of woman who could fill a room with her energy before even speaking. She was the head of one of the branch companies owned by Emma’s grandfather—a competitive role that required razor-sharp focus and a will of steel. It made Claudia a strong woman, but it also created distance between her and her daughter.

"Morning, Mom," Emma greeted as she entered the kitchen.

Claudia glanced up, pausing for a brief moment, her mind clearly still on the meeting she had later in the day. "Morning, darling. There’s coffee, if you want some," she said, gesturing toward the kitchen island where a tray sat with coffee and fresh fruit.

Emma helped herself to a cup, knowing her mother’s work was the priority right now. Claudia was always on the move—meetings, business calls, managing staff. It was almost intimidating how smoothly she navigated her world. She admired it, but also couldn’t help but feel a little alienated from it all.

"Do you have plans today?" Claudia asked, glancing up again while scrolling through her tablet.

"Just a study session with Maya. We’re working on that final project for class," Emma replied, keeping her tone light. She knew better than to discuss anything serious in the morning rush.

Maya had been Emma’s closest friend since their first year of college. She was the complete opposite of Emma in many ways: loud, quirky, and with a fashion sense that screamed "look at me!" Maya was the kind of person who drew attention effortlessly, while Emma tended to fade into the background despite her family's wealth and influence. The two of them balanced each other out in a way Emma appreciated.

"How's the project going?" her mother asked, though her voice was distracted.

"Good," Emma answered, not elaborating. There was no point in going into details. Claudia had bigger things to focus on.

As the conversation drifted off, Emma caught her mother glancing at the clock, clearly anxious to get going. "Don’t forget, your grandfather is coming for dinner this weekend," Claudia reminded her, turning toward the door where Maria waited with the car keys. "I want you to be here on time."

Emma nodded. "Got it." She watched as her mother grabbed her briefcase, offering a quick smile before heading out the door, Maria following closely behind. The house grew quieter, the buzz of work leaving with her.

Emma stared at her coffee, the silence pressing in. Life always felt too fast in the Carmichael household—meetings, events, expectations. It was as if they were always running toward something, but Emma couldn’t figure out what exactly she was running toward.

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Later that afternoon, Emma met up with Maya at their favorite café near campus. The place was a cozy escape from the demands of their everyday lives, with wooden tables and string lights hung across the ceiling, giving it a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Maya was already seated in a booth, her head buried in a fashion magazine.

"You’re late," Maya teased, barely looking up as Emma slid into the seat opposite her.

"Sorry, Mom had one of her ‘the world is ending’ mornings," Emma said, rolling her eyes.

Maya chuckled. "Of course she did. And you, what’s going on in your fabulous life, Miss Carmichael? Any news?"

Emma shook her head. "Not really. Just the usual."

"Well, aren’t we just living on the edge?" Maya quipped. "You know, one of these days, you’re going to need to do something spontaneous."

Emma smirked. "Like what? Move to another country? Change my name?"

"Hey, at least that would be interesting. Look at me, I’m doing a project on runway fashion when I should be studying law. Life’s too short to be boring, Emma." Maya always knew how to inject a bit of humor into the conversation, making Emma feel lighter, more carefree.

The conversation drifted on, touching on their classes, upcoming projects, and random gossip about the people they knew at college. For a while, Emma forgot about the pressures of her family, the expectations hanging over her head. Maya had a way of grounding her, keeping things fun even when life was complicated.

As the sun began to dip in the sky, casting a golden glow over the streets, Emma felt a strange sense of calm. She wasn’t sure what was coming next in her life, but for now, she was content in the bubble of her day-to-day routine.

Little did she know, this calm was only temporary. Soon, life would shift dramatically, bringing new people and challenges into her world—none of which she could have anticipated.

The sunlight had shifted by the time Emma and Maya left the café, casting long shadows on the pavement. Emma’s mind was still slightly distracted, but she tried her best to stay present as they made their way back to campus.

“So,” Maya began as they strolled through the crowded walkway, “we need to pick up some art supplies for class, right? Unless, of course, you’re planning to submit another plain essay.”

Emma chuckled softly. “Maybe I will. It worked last time, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, because you’re a natural writer. But don’t think you can pull that off every time.” Maya gave her a playful nudge, her grin infectious. Maya was like that—someone who brought out Emma’s lighter side, even on days when everything felt overwhelming.

As they neared the small convenience store just off campus, Emma glanced at her phone. A text from her mom blinked on the screen.

Mom: "Don’t forget the dinner on Sunday. Grandpa’s expecting us."

Emma sighed. Family dinners were never just dinners. They were mini boardroom meetings disguised as family time, where everything was about the business. Her grandfather, while warm toward his grandchildren, always subtly probed into what they were doing, trying to gauge who might be his successor someday. Her mom and uncle would always find ways to bring up their latest achievements, with that undercurrent of competition running through every word.

“You good?” Maya asked, noticing Emma’s silence.

“Yeah, it’s just... you know, family stuff,” Emma shrugged, slipping her phone back into her pocket.

“Family stuff always,” Maya teased, but then she softened her tone. “I don’t know how you do it, seriously. I can’t imagine living in that kind of environment, with all the pressure.”

“Honestly, you get used to it,” Emma replied. “But sometimes I wish it didn’t feel like everything was always about proving yourself.”

“Hey, speaking of proving yourself, I heard Aaron might ask you to join his study group for finals. That’s huge, right?” Maya grinned mischievously.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Please, Aaron’s not thinking about study groups. He just wants a better grade, and he knows I’ll probably do half the work.”

“Still,” Maya winked, “might be nice to have a little distraction.”

They entered the store, the familiar scent of coffee and new books filling the air. Emma grabbed a sketchpad, even though she wasn’t sure she’d use it. Maya, on the other hand, was already gathering various paints and brushes, her arms loaded with supplies.

“I swear, you buy more art stuff than you actually use,” Emma said, shaking her head.

“Hey, it's about the inspiration,” Maya responded. “You never know when the creative bug is going to hit.”

They spent the next few minutes wandering the aisles, Maya occasionally nudging Emma to comment on some random item or person. It was a routine they’d developed over time—drifting from place to place, conversation flowing easily between them, always with some undercurrent of humor.

But as much as Emma enjoyed Maya’s company, her thoughts kept drifting back to her family, the constant pressure, and the upcoming dinner. She wasn’t ready to deal with it all, but she knew there was no way to avoid it.

As they paid for their supplies and walked out of the store, the breeze had cooled, signaling the approach of evening. Maya’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out, glancing quickly at the screen.

“Looks like I’ve got to meet with my group for that project. You want to join? Or are you heading home?”

“I’ll pass. I think I’ll just head home,” Emma said, feeling the familiar weight of her routine settling in again.

“Alright, see you tomorrow, then.” Maya waved before heading off toward the campus library.

Emma watched her go, then slowly turned in the direction of her home. It wasn’t far, and the walk gave her time to reflect. Her mom was probably already preparing for another long evening of work, with their housekeeper, Mrs. Maria, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

Their home was spacious and comfortable—suiting for a family that was well-off, though not on the same level as her uncle or her grandfather. Emma had grown up in that house, where every corner was infused with a mix of warmth and subtle expectation. Her mother was the perfect embodiment of their family’s values—sharp, independent, and always in control, running the branch business like a well-oiled machine. Yet Emma couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to life than simply living up to those same values.

As she entered the gates of her neighborhood, the familiar sight of her home came into view. It was large but not extravagant, fitting for a family that held status but wasn’t over the top about it. Mrs. Maria greeted her warmly as she walked through the door, the scent of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

“Your mother’s in her study,” Mrs. Maria informed her with a soft smile.

“Thanks, Maria. I’ll be in my room,” Emma said, dropping her bag by the stairs and heading up.

Her room was her sanctuary—a mix of art supplies, books, and notes from school scattered across her desk. She sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about the dinner on Sunday and everything that would come with it. The competitive nature of her family was something she had grown accustomed to, but sometimes it all felt like too much.

As the evening stretched on, Emma lay back, staring at the ceiling, wondering what her future held—both in her family’s world and beyond.

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