Cheating Ex Out, Billionaire Husband In

For a moment, Gracie was sure she'd heard him wrong.

The man in front of her was incredibly handsome, though his complexion was slightly pale. He was tall and lean, yet his cold, distant presence seemed to keep everyone at arm's length. His eyes were deep and calm, yet his gaze seemed to see right through people.

And a man like him wanted to marry a complete stranger?

Gracie looked confused for a moment.

Jeremy studied her with a look that held something deeper.

Three years earlier, he'd attended a global AI technology summit. Nexora Group was the world's leading AI company, and he was its founder. He'd kept his identity hidden and taken a seat in the very last row.

Gracie had taken the stage on behalf of SparkTech Group and presented a chip project. She'd been confident, radiant, and impossible to look away from.

Even then, he'd known—a genius like her was wasted on a man like Aidan.

He'd never imagined that the next time he saw her, she'd be in such a sorry state.

"I overheard you and your fiancé just now." Jeremy's voice was low, unyielding. "He's a no-show. So is my fiancée. We're both here, ready for marriage. Why don't we just get married?"

He paused, then added with perfect ease, "Jeremy Reynolds. PhD. Programmer."

Hearing that, Gracie glanced at his shirt—plain, no logo, but the fabric said it all. Senior engineer, she figured. Big tech, probably.

He didn't look especially wealthy, but his presence somehow carried more authority than Aidan.

Marrying someone like Jeremy didn't seem like a bad deal. If Aidan could dump her for that woman, why shouldn't she pick a better man and fight back?

"Gracie Haynes. I'm between jobs right now." She gave him a self-deprecating smile, but she looked completely determined.

She'd already made up her mind to sell her shares in SparkTech Group.

She'd poured the best years of her life into that business with Aidan—every ounce of her youth, every scrap of her talent.

Now she would use her qualifications to get a job at Nexora Group, the largest AI company in the world.

She met his gaze squarely. "My résumé's already at Nexora. Technical Director—if they take me. So if you're in, you're in. Just don't regret it later."

Jeremy smiled so faintly that it was almost impossible to notice. "I won't."

......

Half an hour later, Gracie stared at the newly issued marriage certificate in her hand, still feeling dazed. Had she really gotten married just like that? To a stranger she'd known for less than an hour?

Jeremy slid the certificate into his pocket with effortless grace. "Now that we're legally married, why don't you move in with me? Or I can move into your place."

Gracie took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. Being someone's wife still felt strange. "I'll move in with you, but I need to go home and pack my things first."

"Want me to come with you?" Jeremy asked.

"I'll handle it," she said, her voice steady. "Some scores—I need to settle them myself."

She had to put those five years with Aidan behind her for good.

Jeremy didn't insist. He held out a card—just a private number. "When you're done, call me. I'll come."

Gracie could barely move her legs as she returned to the house she'd shared with Aidan for five years.

The moment she opened the door, she remembered all the good times they'd had there.

She'd chosen the couch herself. She and Aidan had cared for the plants together, and their photos still hung on the wall. Each memory now felt like a tiny needle in her heart.

Before she could sink any deeper into her sorrow, an irritatingly sweet voice came from the living room.

"This vase is so tacky. Ugh—get rid of it. I don't even want to look at it."

Gracie froze and snapped her head up.

Ariana was sprawled across the couch in Gracie's silk robe as though she owned the place. She pointed at Gracie's favorite antique vase with open disgust.