erday's events, but her mind wouldn't rest. The images of Eric and Amelia on that stage, the

eyes, the scene replayed. She hated how it made her feel powerless. That hatred, however, was accompanied by some

her pho

ngle

Elm Street. 11 a

D.

ef washed over her. Who was he to summon her like this? And why

r casual while her mind raced. Every instinct told her to leave, to ignore the text

uit, crisp white shirt, no tie, sleeves perfectly creased - he could have walked out of a magazine cover. Bu

at across from her. The air shifted around him,

said, voice low and

cautiously. "You didn't tell me your name in the

"The humiliation you endured. The injustice. That's what brought you

ed. "Reclai

seemed symbolic, a physical manifestation of the gravity o

nse legal language, signatures spaces, terms, conditions - but the headings alone made her s

arriage contract?" Her

"Not for love. Not for appearances. For power.

d what exactly do

imply. "To follow the terms

ache. "So I sign a contract with a man I barely kno

d. "But it's a start. You're not power

if she didn't accept, Eric and her family would continue to control her life. Her inher

just..." she faltere

t isn't just legal paper. It's a chance. A tool. The bridge between humili

he edges of the folder. Fear battled with a

curiosity breaking through t

ause I know potential when I see it. A

arrogance in his voice - just certainty. And for reasons she

leaning back in her chair. "I

calm but firm. "Courage is. And you h

She didn't even like him. And yet, she knew she couldn't walk away. She needed this

toward her. "Think about it. We

her alone with her racing thought

ween fear and determination. Her life was abo