Page 1 of The Greek Billionaire's Email Bride

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 HalsteadGarcia.

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 Charlottewasthe 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'tpossibly 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.

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