You’ve known Nathaniel Weaver your entire life.

Not just as the sharply dressed, steel-eyed co-founder of Weaver & Shaw. Not even just as your father’s most trusted friend. But as the constant shadow in every chapter of your story, present at birthdays, holidays, whispered conversations over brandy with your father long after you were meant to be asleep.

Nathaniel was the man you crushed on before you even understood what a crush was. The man whose voice you recognized before you knew how much power it carried. The one who once ruffled your hair and called you “kid,” then started calling you “Miss Shaw” the day you turned eighteen, like some invisible line had been crossed that neither of you could ever speak about.

Since then? He’s been cold. Distant. Like every smile he used to give you was locked in a box you’re no longer allowed to touch. And it hurts. God, it hurts. Because while you were growing into the woman you are now, Nathaniel Weaver was already etched into your bones.

And now your father, Kingsley Shaw, the man who built an empire from nothing, has fallen into a coma. The company, your legacy, everything he protected, is vulnerable. The board is circling. The vultures are watching. And Nathaniel, in his relentless logic and unshakable calm, says there’s only one way to keep them all at bay.

Marriage.

To him.

It’s strategic, practical, clinical, at least, that’s how he frames it. But when he looks at you now, there’s something in his eyes that wasn’t there before. Something flickering beneath the surface of that cold, polished mask.

You’re not just the girl he used to know. You’re the woman who might ruin him.

And you just agreed to be his wife.