The Wrong Fiancée: A Billionaire Second Chance Romance (Marriage by Contract Book 3)

Instead of cleaning toilets, on my morning shift I worked with Melody. I had a desk next to Melody’s in a gallery designed to blend the beauty of Kauai’s natural landscape with the finest in contemporary and traditional island art. My view of the ocean and lush mountains was something out of a dream.

I couldn’t believe that I was getting a chance to do this. It had all seemed so improbable, and now it felt like the ‘āina itself was smiling at me.

‘So, what do you think?’ Melody asked me.

We were sifting through a stack of artist portfolios on her desk at Ke Ala O Ke Kai gallery, preparing for a new exhibition in three months. I was very excited about this because I was going to be part of setting this up from start to finish. The fact that she wanted my opinion to finalize the artist lineup was just icing on the cake.

‘We’ve got eight solid choices here, but we need to cut it down to five.’

‘Right.’ Melody flipped through the eight catalogs we’d shortlisted, her fingers pausing on a few pages. ‘Thoughts?’

I nodded, pulling out one of the catalogs. ‘Makoa Silva is a definite. His blend of traditional Hawaiian motifs with abstract modernism is exactly what we need to open the exhibition—sets the right tone.’

‘Agreed. And what about this one?’ She held up another catalog. ‘Kekoa’s work has been consistent, but I’m not sure this collection is as strong.’

I glanced at it. ‘His earlier pieces fit the theme better. I suggest we pass on this one and go with Kalia Arakaki instead. Her focus on native flora adds a fresh, vibrant layer that’ll contrast nicely with Silva’s darker palette.’

‘Good call. One more to cut.’ I knew this was her way of teaching me but also bolstering my confidence so I’d trust my instincts as she did.

‘Maybe Kainalu’s sculptures. Beautiful work, but I think they’ll be too noisy alongside the others. If we drop him, we’ll have a more cohesive flow between the mixed media and paintings.’

She smiled. ‘You have an eye for this that is pretty impressive, considering you were in housekeeping half a minute ago.’

‘Don’t knock housekeeping,’ I joked. ‘It taught me a lot about how to spot what needs fixing before anyone else even notices. Plus, arranging pillows? It’s practically an art form.’

Melody laughed. ‘We have our artists for the next show! Let’s lock it in. And I’ll let you contact Silva and Arakaki since you picked them.’

‘Me?’ I gaped. I’d get to work with the artists!

‘Don’t get too excited. Managing their tantrums is no picnic. And you’ll be responsible for keeping them happy with their placement in the gallery.’

If it hadn’t been considered unprofessional, I would’ve kissed my boss.

This is where I belonged. I could feel it in every fiber of my being. The burden of all the struggles and setbacks eased with each passing day. This chance I’d been given made it all worthwhile.

We spent another twenty minutes discussing logistics, confirming shipping schedules, planning artist talks, and setting up interactive displays.

Melody was sharp and quick to spot weaknesses in the plan as we bounced ideas off each other like a well-oiled machine. By the end of the meeting, I felt a sense of accomplishment that cleaning a room had never given me.

As we gathered our notes, Melody gave me an approving nod. ‘You’ve really come into your own here, Elika. This exhibition is going to be something special.’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘And that’s going to be largely because of you.’

I flushed at her compliment.

Melody checked her watch. ‘Alright, I’ve got another meeting. Keep me updated on Silva and Arakaki.’

I watched as she left the room, feeling a surge of pride. As I gathered the folders and made my way toward the gallery’s front desk, I saw Dean standing just inside the entrance, his hands in his pockets, a familiar half-smile on his face.

‘Busy?’ he asked.

I nodded excitedly. ‘I get to manage two of the artists for the exhibition in November,’ I blurted out, unable to contain my excitement.

‘Yeah?’

‘Oh, I know you talk to big artists all the time, but for me⁠—’

‘I remember the first time I spoke with an artist I was going to manage. It was a high. I get it.’

I set the catalogs down and went to him. I looked around to make sure we were alone and hugged him. ‘Thank you.’

He held me, stroking my back. ‘I didn’t do anything.’

‘You talked to Dante.’

‘You impressed Melody, that’s the only reason you’re here.’

‘What are you doing here?’

He glanced past me toward the hallway that led to the garden courtyard, the outdoor seating area reserved for resort guests, offering an incredible view of the ocean—Hale Moana’s most secluded and stunning spot.

‘You have a guest waiting for you over at the Lanai Garden Pavilion. It’s quiet there, so you’ll have privacy.’

‘Who?’ I asked, confused. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Dean’s smile softened, his tone gentle. ‘Let’s go.’ He kissed my forehead and then, with hands on my shoulders, walked/pushed me to the pavilion.

Curiosity stirred in me.

Dean knew the Lanai Garden Pavilion was one of my favorite spots in the resort. It was open-air, surrounded by tropical flowers and low hedges, with wide, comfortable chairs arranged in intimate clusters. The pavilion was framed by the sound of nearby waves and the distant laughter of guests down by the pool. It was the perfect spot to feel secluded while still being in the heart of the resort.

As we rounded the corner, I stopped, and Dean kissed the side of my head. ‘Trust me.’

Noe sat in her wheelchair, her head turned slightly toward the view of the ocean. Her hair was pulled back, and she wore a simple sundress; her posture was relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen in years.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. My heart raced, and my thoughts tangled together. The last time we’d been together, it hadn’t ended well. All the tension, the bitterness—our relationship had frayed so much over the years, I didn’t know if it could be repaired.

She looked up as if aware of my presence. Her expression stopped me cold. She wasn’t angry. She was contrite. She gave me a small, sheepish wave.

I nodded at Dean, and walked toward Noe.

‘Hey,’ she said quietly, her voice carrying over the sound of the breeze.

‘Hey.’ I sat on a rattan chair close to her. The ocean breeze rustled through the nearby palms, and for a moment, neither of us said anything.

Finally, Noe spoke, her hands wringing in her lap. ‘I’ve…been a shitty sister.’ She let out a sigh, her eyes downcast. ‘I’ve been holding on to so much anger, and I know I’ve taken it out on you. That’s not fair. It never was.’

She apologized sometimes and went right back to being a bitch, so I smiled but didn’t say anything.

‘I don’t expect you to forgive me right away or trust that I will not revert back to…well…being a total bitch,’ she continued, her voice filled with regret. ‘But I wanted you to know that I’m sorry. For all of it. For not seeing how much you’ve done for me. For blaming you for my problems.’ Her voice cracked slightly. ‘I don’t know why I did it, and I am so sorry.’

I felt my throat tighten, and for a moment, I didn’t trust myself to speak. Years of hurt and frustration welled up inside me, but alongside it, there was a flicker of hope that I wouldn’t lose the only remaining member of my family.

‘Noe…,’ I began, unsure of how to untangle all the emotions I was feeling, ‘I just wanted you to be okay. That’s all I ever wanted.’

She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. ‘I know. I want to do better, to be better—not just for you, Eli, but for myself, too.’

The sincerity in her voice, combined with my love for her, melted away the anger I’d been holding onto. Even if this apology was short-lived, I’d give her all the chances she asked for—and even some she didn’t.

I reached across the table and took her hand. She squeezed tight, her eyes locking with mine.

We sat quietly for a while with the ocean in the background, the breeze carrying away some of the tension that had hung between us.

‘You’ve never come here before.’ I wondered how she got here, though I suspected I knew.

She smiled. ‘Your man was very persuasive.’

A small smile crept onto my face. ‘Yeah, I know. He’s persuaded me to give him a chance…give us a chance.’

Noe chuckled, wiping at her eyes. ‘He knows how to get through to people, doesn’t he?’

I laughed, feeling warm and loved. He’d done this for me. Dean knew how much my family meant to me, and he’d given me this. ‘Yeah, he does.’

‘He told me how I was hurting you. I didn’t want to listen to him, but…Eli, I am really sorry. I’ve been talking to the doctors and therapists, and I may never leave the wheelchair.’

I knew this was a possibility, and my heart broke for her.

‘But,’ she continued, ‘I want to start living again and not hide away at Ka Pono.’

‘Yeah?’

She nodded, tears filling her eyes. ‘Will you help me?’

‘Always,’ I promised.

We talked for a while longer about everything and nothing. We were never close, but I felt that maybe now we could have a better relationship.

‘How are you getting back?’ I asked.

‘Dean arranged for transportation.’

‘I’m sure he did.’

‘They’re waiting in the front for me.’

I wheeled her out of the pavilion. ‘You know they have a really nice spa here,’ I told her. ‘Maybe you could check it out?’

‘Have you?’ she asked.

I snorted. ‘I’ve been in to clean, but I can’t afford those services.’

She looked over her shoulder at me. ‘Because you’ve been paying for me to be at Ka Pono all on your own.’

‘I’m making more money now and…maybe we could go there together. Get some treatments? I get a discount as an employee.’

‘I’d like that.’

Dean was in the lobby, waiting for us. He smiled when he saw us. I gave him a small nod to let him know the meeting went well, my heart swelling with gratitude.

‘Do you think I could work again, El?’ Noe asked, and I could hear the fear in her voice.

I put brakes on her chair and stepped in front of her. I crouched down and took her hands in mine. ‘Noe, you can do anything you want to do. And guess what? You don’t have to do any of it alone. I’ll be there with you.’

‘I don’t deserve you,’ she whispered, her eyes moist. ‘I’ve been such a bitch. Eli, how can you forgive me?’

‘You’re my sister.’ I straightened and felt Dean behind me, his chest brushing against my back.

Noe smiled at me and nodded at Dean.

‘Let me take you out.’ Dean kissed my cheek and got behind Noe’s wheelchair. ‘I’ll make sure she gets back safe and sound.’

‘Thanks, Dean.’

As they were walking out of the resort, I ran up to Dean. He stopped, and I put my mouth to his ear. ‘I love you. Will you spend the night with me?’

He looked at me, his eyes swimming with emotion. ‘Yes. Every night if you let me.’