Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Greek billionaire Colin Soukoulis thought a glamorous wife would be the perfect accessory for his high school reunion. But when Heart’s Match delivers Hope Tiangco—forty, painfully honest, and nothing like what he expected—his careful plans begin to unravel.
Hope never imagined she would marry at her age, much less through an email match to a man as guarded as Colin. She tells herself it’s just a temporary arrangement. But when his beautiful ex reappears, Hope realizes exactly where she stands—second place, second choice, second best.
Yet, in the quiet spaces between their mistakes and misunderstandings, Colin and Hope discover something neither dared hope that true love isn’t about appearances or pride. It’s about forgiveness, trust, and finding unexpected grace when you need it most.
“I’m in love with you, Hope Soukoulis. And it’s why I want you to be mine forever—even if I don’t deserve it.”
A fast-paced billionaire romance about second chances, inner beauty, and love that heals even the deepest wounds
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter One
Colin Soukoulis studied the latest email from his prospective bride, his dark eyes narrowing as he read.
Dear Mr. Soukoulis,
I've attached photos of myself as requested. I understand they might not be what you expected based on your specifications to Heart's Match. I believe Mrs. Takahashi has her reasons for matching us, though I admit I'm not entirely sure what they are.
Regarding this weekend, my foster parents are looking forward to meeting you. They believe we've been dating for two months after meeting at a charity event in Michigan. I apologize for the deception, but I couldn't bear for them to know the truth. They would worry.
I look forward to your cooperation, and I sincerely apologize for the trouble.
Respectfully,
Hope Tiangco
A humorless smile twisted over his lips as he clicked through the attached photos. A tall, slender woman with serious gray eyes and brown hair pulled into a severe bun. Plain features. Sensible clothes. Earnest expression.
Nothing – absolutely nothing – like Princess Halstead.
No, make that Princess Halstead Garcia.
Why did he keep forgetting that?
Colin closed his laptop and moved to the wall of windows in his downtown office. Twenty-five years he'd waited to show Princess what she'd thrown away when she'd chosen Roland's money over his promise.
And now this.
He poured himself two fingers of scotch, swirling the amber liquid before taking a measured sip. Charlotte Takahashi had been infuriatingly serene when he'd called to question her judgment.
This is what you're paying me for. So trust me on this, please.
Easier said than done, but since Charlotte was the best in the business, and personally recommended by his friend Lukas Tsaldaris...
Fine then.
With deliberate movements, Colin typed his response.
Ms. Tiangco,
I'll be there at noon on Saturday. I understand your desire to shield your parents from the truth, and I'll respect the narrative you've created.
I must emphasize that our arrangement remains temporary, regardless of what your parents are told. After the reunion, you'll be generously compensated as we agreed.
Colin Soukoulis
He drained his scotch, savoring the burn. Six hours until his flight to Wyoming. Six hours to prepare himself to meet a woman he hadn't chosen, to pretend affection he didn't feel, all for the sake of a decades-old wound that refused to heal.
****
Hope's fingers trembled as she read Colin's terse response. Each carefully chosen word drove home what she already knew—she was a business transaction. A means to an end.
Not that she'd expected anything else. Heart's Match had made the terms clear: Colin Soukoulis needed a temporary wife to accompany him to his high school reunion. Afterward, they would part ways, and she would have enough money to finally start the life she'd always dreamed of.
"I can't believe this is happening."
Hope closed the email and smiled as her foster mother came into the room. "You know how old-fashioned I am. I couldn't possibly be with Colin if we weren't married first. But at least that means you can still attend the actual wedding." And that's not quite a lie, Hope reminded herself. There could still be an actual wedding for her foster parents to attend, only with a different groom.
"Colin is amazing, Mom. You'll love him, I promise." Now, these words...could be a lie, but she really hoped not. Her priority was to keep Edith and Frank Barton from worry. They'd taken her in at fifteen: half-starved, skittish, and damaged from years in the foster system. They'd given her stability, love, and a chance at a future. For twenty-five years, they'd been the only real family she'd known. The least she could do was spare them the knowledge that their daughter was desperate enough to agree to an arranged marriage.
"Two months," Edith mused, settling into a chair across from Hope. "It seems awfully fast to be getting married."
"Not that fast," Hope reminded her. "We met in high school. Remember?"
"But you also said you two had lost touch. This is just so...unlike you. You've always been so cautious."
Hope touched the ring that Heart's Match had delivered to her doorstep just a day ago. "When you know, you know," she said with forced brightness. "Sometimes it takes forty years to find the right person."
Edith studied her with knowing eyes. "And you know?"
For a moment, Hope considered confessing everything. But the worry it would cause, the disappointment...
"Yes, Mom. I know."
Her phone vibrated, and Hope was thankful for having an excuse to look away and keep Edith from seeing the truth in her eyes.
Proxy marriage conract signed. Flight ETA noon. Will bring car service. No need to pick me up. - CG
The text from her husband was exactly what she would expect from someone like Colin. Distant. Cool. Blunt. He had already been all of those things in high school, but such behavior was even likelier, considering their situation.
The billionaire had asked for a trophy wife. And Heart's Match gave him Hope: a plain forty-year-old virgin who'd spent nearly two decades making spreadsheets about toilets.