Page 161 of The Substitute Fiancée

@TechLoveStories: “A CEO who drops everything for his girlfriend. I’m dying of jealousy.”

@StartupGossip: “Plot twist: she graduated with honors. Power couple alert.”

@WomenInArtParis: “Samantha Chevalier—remember the name. Her Richelieu exhibition was exceptional.”

I blush as I read them, touched and embarrassed all at once.

Emelyne leans over to see the screen and bursts out laughing.

“Oh my God, you’re everywhere!”

Mara looks at us with a fond smile.

“You make a beautiful couple,” she says simply.

Alexander raises his glass.

“To Sam and Emelyne. Congratulations on your degrees.”

We clink glasses, and in the warmth of that moment—surrounded by the people I love—I realize how far I’ve come.

Every doubt.

Every tear.

Every sleepless night.

Because it all led me here.

To this perfect moment.

54. Twice the Impact

Alexander

I’m preparing for my investor meeting when David bursts into my office, buzzing with excitement.

“What brings you here?” I ask as he drops into the chair across from me.

“I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

He’s enjoying this way too much, the little bastard.

“The good news.”

“MatchMapping sign-ups have jumped 15% since last week. Since the viral post, every single woman is trying to find her Alexander, and every man is dreaming of finding his Samantha. Activity on the app is blowing past our most optimistic forecasts. What was considered professional suicide turned out to be a winning move.”

“I didn’t do it for that,” I reply, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“I know. Just a nice little bonus.”

I grin openly. Ms. Bertau is going to choke on that. It’ll shut her up for good.

“And the bad news?” I ask.

“You’re going to have to redo your presentation for the shareholders. Everything’s changed with these new numbers.”

“Fuck.”