Fisher Corporation.

CEO''s Office.

"Mr. Fisher, these documents need your signature." John, the assistant, set a

stack of papers on Joshua''s desk.

"Just leave them there," Joshua said, not even ncing up from his phone.

"Yes, Mr. Fisher." John ced the files down and quietly slipped out.

Joshua kept scrolling through his phone, checking his schedule, but then the date

caught his eye.

May 10th already.

Just ten days until May 20th—520. The unofficial day to say "I love you." He

needed to get Allie something special.

They weren''t together yet. He was still the one running after her, but asions

like this were his chance to show he cared. He wasn''t going to let it slip by.

He opened his contacts and dialed the son of a luxury brand''s CEO, asking if

there were any new limited-edition handbags dropping soon.

On the other end, his friendughed and teased him in French, "Trying to impress

a girl?"

Joshua replied, his French perfect, "Of course. For my future wife."

"It''s Allie, isn''t it? Did you two finally get back together?" Everyone in their circle

knew who Joshua''s heart belonged to—Allison.

"Not yet."

"I''ll check with our manager."

Normally, his friend wouldn''t bother with details like uing productunches.

"Thanks," Joshua said quietly.

"Come on, no need to be polite with me."

A few minutester, his friend called back. Sure enough, they were about to

release a global limited-edition handbag, three colors, and sent Joshua the

photos.

Joshua looked over each one carefully. The design was stunning—ck, white,

and brown, all matte crocodile leather, each going for a cool $150,000.

All three colors were ssic and versatile. Allie would love them.

"I''ll take one of each," Joshua said.

His friendughed. "Don''t worry about paying—consider them a gift from me.

Hope you and Allie get back together soon."

"That''s not happening. If I''m giving her a gift, it has to be from me."

As soon as the call ended, Joshua opened his banking app and wired $450,000

over.

***

Meanwhile, Kate had convinced a notorious rich yboy to help her leave the

country.

But he had conditions: she''d have to spend a night with him.

Kate''s face went stiff. She''d just had

an abortion barely a month ago and

still wasn''t supposed to be having

sex—her doctor said at least three

months, six if she wanted to get

pregnant safely again. Any earlier,

and she could seriously hurt herself.

But if she waited, her appeal would be over, and she''d be stuck. She''d have no

way out.

After a long struggle, Kate finally agreed.

The next morning, after a night that

left her covered in his marks, Kate

nestled into his arms and tried to

sound sweet. "Wilson, when are you

sending me abroad?"

He''d really gone wildst night—she was sore all over.

Wilson, still half-asleep, grumbled, "What''s the rush? I said I''d handle it, didn''t I?"

Kate rolled her eyes.

How could she not be anxious? If Allison found out before she left, it''d be over for

her.

Once the court issued a verdict, she''d be forced intomunity service, and if

she screwed up, she''d end up in jail.

Her voice softened, almost pleading.

"Wilson, you know I''m still in the

middle of thiswsuit with Allison. I

have to leave soon, or I''m done for."

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you," Wilson muttered, turning over with a sigh. "Let me get

some more sleep first, okay?"