The Widowed CEO's Contract Bride

Harry's suggestion didn't sit right with Deanna at all. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't come up with something like that.

"What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Did you hit your head before you came here?" she said.

"I know it sounds crazy, but we really need your help. I don't know who else to turn to," Harry replied.

Laura, Harry's fiancée, remained silent. Still, the worry on her face kept growing.

Things had already gotten complicated. They were both still in school, still young, and deeply in love, but they hadn't been careful. Just three days ago, Laura confirmed she was pregnant.

"Trust me, I get it, Harry, but no one will believe this. Your family doesn't even know who I am," Deanna said.

"I already spoke to my brother, and he agreed. Please, Deanna, help us," Harry said.

At that point, Laura gathered her courage and finally spoke, and her eyes filled with tears.

"We wouldn't come to you like this if it didn't matter so much to us. Our families are strict about these things. They won't allow Harry to marry me if his older brother isn't married yet. And my family won't let me keep the baby if I'm not married," Laura said.

Watching how anxious Laura was about her baby made Deanna hesitate.

"I can't believe people still think like that these days. But I've only seen your brother in pictures," she said.

The idea they laid out was straightforward. If Harry and Laura wanted to get married, then Daniel, Harry's widowed older brother, needed to remarry first. As Harry's closest friend, Deanna ended up being their only choice.

"I can't wrap my head around it either. It feels like we're stuck in another era. This was the only way I could think of, and Daniel said he's willing to go through with it too," Harry said.

"How is your family supposed to take this? Do I just walk in one day and tell them I'm your brother's fiancée?" she asked.

"We'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, what matters is getting you married as soon as possible. Once that's done, we'll have our own wedding, and then we can welcome our baby," Harry said.

Somehow, Deanna found herself thinking the same way Harry did. The plan sounded ridiculous, yet it was starting to make sense. She cared too much about her friend, and when she saw how distressed Laura was over her unborn child, she finally made her choice.

"Alright, but—"

"Are you serious, Deanna? This is incredible!" Harry said.

"Hold on, Harry—"

"You really saved us. You're amazing! Laura, we're getting married!"

"Harry! Wait, please... At least let me meet your brother first," she said.

"That works. I'll set up a dinner so the four of us can sit down and meet."

Tears spilled down Laura's face, and she couldn't hold them back. The relief and joy hit her all at once. Harry pulled her into his arms and