A Marriage of Convenience — “Mr. Victor Barnes, may I have a word?” A blonde head peeked around the door of the office: it was Irina, the perpetually demanding and at times outrageously loud young woman, today suspiciously polite and calm. “What do you want?” Distracted from his work, Victor glanced over his glasses, eyeing his stepdaughter with caution. “I have a favour to ask of you,” Irina didn’t wait to be invited and strode confidently inside, shutting the door and sitting directly opposite the bewildered man. “I’m not giving you a raise,” Victor said sternly, as if he’d already guessed her reason for coming. “Don’t even ask. You’re not pulling your weight, always late and missing deadlines—you’re letting down the whole firm.” He had discussed her lack of responsibility with her many times; it was no secret he resented how she clashed with and schemed against colleagues with whom she couldn’t get along. He’d been intending to let her go for months but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Irina was the daughter of his late wife, Anastasia, whom he’d met fifteen years ago and loved dearly. They’d married, living happily until cancer took her two years prior. Now, despite Irina’s difficult ways, Victor’s affection lingered—she reminded him too keenly of the woman he’d lost. “You’ve made your stance on pay quite clear,” Irina sniffed, “But I didn’t come here for that.” “What is it, then?” He raised an eyebrow, leaning in with curiosity. “Mr. Barnes…” she hesitated, squirming in her seat. “Since Mum died, you know how alone I’ve felt. She was the only one who really loved and understood me…” “And that’s why you always put her through hell, isn’t it?” he frowned, recalling the turbulent mother-daughter bond—love mixed with exasperation. “Why are you telling me this? Stop appealing to my sympathy. Just get to the point, I’ve a lot of work.” “Well…” Irina steeled herself. “Would you be able to help me financially? I want to try my hand at business but need money for training.” “No way,” Victor cut her off. “With your approach to work, you wouldn’t last two seconds—not even finish a course. I’ve told you a hundred times: It’s time to grow up!” “I’ll change, I promise! If you help me with a start-up, it’ll be different. I want a real life—a career, marriage, a family…” “Hm.” Victor eyed her keenly, suddenly seeming uneasy. “Are you seeing someone?” “No, of course not!” Irina scoffed. “If I was, I wouldn’t be begging you for help. Life’s always easier with a partner.” “True…” Victor tapped his fingers, as if wrestling with an idea. “I’ve got a proposal that could set you up nicely.” “A proposal?” Irina repeated warily, not following his drift. “I’ll give you the money—but on one condition,” Victor smiled mysteriously, leaning back. “What condition?” She was instantly on guard—she could hardly imagine what her stepfather might ask. “Marry me, and everything you want is yours.” He folded his hands, fixing her with a businesslike gaze. “Marry you?!” Irina was first stunned, then let out a loud, incredulous laugh. “You’re joking, right? You can’t be serious!” “Why do you think I’m joking?” His stern look wiped the smile from her face. “We may have an age gap, but we’re both adults, aren’t we?” “Happy? With you? You’re old enough to be my father!” she flared up. Victor was forty-five—youthful, yes, but unimaginable as a husband. Why her, when sophisticated women flocked around him? “Maybe you’ve heard I’m about to sign a major business contract—on one strict condition: the company insists I be married. Married men come across more trustworthy.” “So why not marry someone else?” “First, we’ve known each other for years—and you know how I felt about your mother. Second, I trust you not to blab the marriage is a sham. Third, you need money. Marry me, and you get your business.” Victor was nothing if not practical, discussing terms like a contract. “You mean a fake marriage? No…relationship stuff?” Irina’s hostility began to fade. “Purely in name. Do we have a deal?” “I need to think.” “Think about it,” Victor nodded. Once the conversation was over and Irina had left, Victor briefly regretted the risky move. She was unpredictable, quite capable of bolting before the wedding day. Yet the die was cast; it was too late to turn back. Irina had never seen her stepfather as a man—but then, never as a father either. He’d never officially adopted her: they’d always kept to themselves. But now something shifted for Irina. Victor was attractive… charismatic. Most of all, he was wealthy. In the end, she accepted. They agreed to keep it strictly legal: marriage for the paperwork, lives entirely separate. Victor kept his word—he gave Irina a chic new flat, financed her business and studies, and provided for her. She played her part too, attending his business events and acting the happy wife. Marriage, it seemed, changed Irina—she settled down, stopped acting out, and began to view Victor differently. She saw what her mother must have valued: his intelligence, kindness, generosity. A year passed, and she never regretted the marriage. Later, with Victor’s crucial contract secured, the couple—still living apart—prepared for divorce. But by then, their relationship had changed. Victor no longer saw her as a rebellious girl, and Irina had grown used to the man she’d once resented. “Thank you. Now you can make your own way,” Victor told her, as they stood by the registry office. “As promised, I’m letting you go.” “Are you sure you want a divorce?” Irina asked. “Don’t you?” He saw genuine regret in her eyes. “I don’t want one.” “Neither do I,” Victor replied simply, drawing her close. “But if you stay, it has to be for real.” “I agree.” They turned away from the registry office—there would be no divorce after all. ©Stella Kiarri’s Shining Stars MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: A Stepfather’s Proposal, a Sham Wedding, and the Unexpected Love That Followed

A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE

Mr. Carter, may I have a word? The light-haired head of Emily popped through the office door. Usually boisterous and prone to complaining, today the girl was suspiciously polite and composed.

What is it? The man tore himself away from the computer and frowned at his stepdaughter.

I have a big favour to ask, Emily didnt wait for her stepfather to invite her in. She boldly crossed the threshold, closed the door behind her, and sat down across from the clearly puzzled man.

Im not giving you a pay rise! Mr. Carter stated firmly, almost as if he already knew what Emily had come for. Dont even think about it! You cant handle your duties as it is. Youre always late, never meet deadlines, and you let everyone downme included, he scolded. Hed had plenty of talks with his stepdaughter about her lack of responsibility. He disliked the way Emily constantly clashed with colleagues, creating drama when she didnt get her way.

For several months now, Mr. Carter, the company director, had wanted to sack the unruly girl, but he simply hadnt the heart to go through with it. Emily was the daughter of his late wife. Hed met Anne fifteen years ago. Theyd married and been happy together until Anne was diagnosed with cancer. She died two years ago, and the man couldnt help but feel sorry for his erratic stepdaughter, who so strongly reminded him of Anne.

Id already gathered as much about the pay rise, Emily scoffed, rolling her eyes. I came to talk to you about something completely different.

And whats that? he asked, raising an eyebrow and leaning forward with interest.

Mr. Carter, she said plaintively, you know how hard things have been for me since Mum died? She was the only person in the world who loved me, who always stood by me

And you showed your gratitude by giving her such grief, didnt you? The mans face tightened at the memory. He knew well how things had been between Anne and Emily. His wife truly loved her daughter, but the girl had always been wild, and it had taken a toll on her.

What are you getting at with all this? No need for a sob storyjust get to the point. I have work to do.

Fidgeting in her seat, Emily hesitated before finally blurting out, Could you help me financially? I want to try my hand at business, but I need money for training.

No, said the man flatly. With your attitude, you wouldnt last in businessor even finish your training. Ive said this a hundred times: Emily, its time to grow up! But youstill the difficult teenager you always were.

I promise, if you help me get my start, Ill change. I swear! Im tired of this uncertainty. I want a normal lifework, career, marriage, kids

Hm, Mr. Carter muttered sceptically, glancing at his stepdaughter oddly, clearly uneasy. Have you met someone? Got a boyfriend?

No one, Emily waved dismissively. If I did, Id hardly be sitting here now. Its easier getting on in life with a partner.

Theres some truth in thatbut partners come in all shapes and sizes, he said, drumming his fingers on the desk. He seemed to be holding something back, on the cusp of making a suggestion. You know what? I actually have a proposal that could make your life rather comfortable.

A proposal? Emily repeated, puzzled. She had no idea what he was getting at.

Im willing to give you the money, but only under one condition, Mr. Carter smiled cryptically and leaned back in his chair.

And whats that? Emily tensed, unable to imagine what her stepfather might ask of her.

Marry me, and you can have anything you wish. He said it so matter-of-factly, folding his hands and eyeing her like a business associate.

Marry you?! For a moment Emily was lost for words, then she burst out laughing, convinced it was a joke. Oh come off it, Mr. Carter! Thats hardly something you should joke about with your stepdaughter.

What makes you think Im joking? he replied, displeased with her reaction. He fixed her with a stern look, and Emily realised he was deadly serious. We may have years between us, but were both adults. We could be happy, you know.

Happy? You could be my dad! Why me, of all people? Emily flared up. Mr. Carter was forty-five, looked younger than his years, always neat and well-presented, but she simply couldnt take the suggestion seriously. She also couldnt fathom why her stepfather of all people would want to marry her, considering he was surrounded by plenty of respectable women.

You know I want to expand my business and get a contract with that major corporation? Mr. Carter saw the question written all over Emilys face and decided to clear things up. Their condition is that I must be married. Thats their policy; they see a family man as more reliable and trustworthy.

But why does it have to be me? Why not someone else?

For one, weve known each other for years, and you know I adored your mother. For another, I can trust you not to blab that its all for show. And moreover, I know you need the money. If you marry me, the business is yours, he said, all seriousness, now speaking to Emily as if she were a partner in a transaction.

You mean a sham marriage? No feelings? Emilys anger faded, replaced by curiosity.

Purely for appearances. So, do we have a deal or not? Mr. Carter pressed, businesslike.

Ill have to think it over.

Take as much time as you need, he nodded towards the door.

After Emily left, Mr. Carter regretfully wondered if hed gone too far. He was well aware of her temperamental natureshe might just agree, only to bolt at the last minute. But the offer was out there, and there was no going back now.

Emily had never thought of her stepfather as a man, nor really as a father eitherhed never officially adopted her. Theyd always kept their distance, barely speaking.

Now something had shifted. After that talk, Emily found herself looking at Mr. Carter differently. He was attractive, charismatic, and above allwealthy.

In the end, Emily accepted the proposal. They agreed it would just be a legal paper, nothing more, and that theyd live separately.

As soon as the legal wedding took place, Mr. Carter kept his word. He gave his new wife a spacious flat, capital for her budding business, paid for her further education, and made sure her every need was met.

Emily, for her part, upheld her end of the bargain, attending business events at his side, always giving the impression of a happy couple.

Marriage changed Emily. Gone was her reckless lifestyle. She matured, seeing Mr. Carter in a whole new lightintelligent, caring, generous. She grew to enjoy his company, and with each trip together, it became harder to leave him. At last, she understood why her mother had loved this man.

A year on, Emily had never once regretted her choice.

After a year living as husband and wifebut not togetherthey decided to divorce. Mr. Carter had secured the contract, and no longer needed the façade. But by this point, their relationship had changed. He no longer saw Emily as the flighty girl she once was, and Emily had grown comfortable with the man she used to find unbearable.

Thank you. I think youll do just fine on your own now, said Mr. Carter. As promised, youre free.

Are you sure you want a divorce? Emily suddenly asked as they stood together outside the registry office.

Dont you? He looked into her eyes, and saw true regret.

I dont want to, Emily admitted.

Neither do I, Mr. Carter smiled, then pulled her close and looked deeply into her eyes. But if you stay my wife, lets do it for real.

Id like that, she said softly.

And together, they walked away from the registry office, forgetting all about the divorce.