n was made, but the reality of it hadn't hit me yet. The apartment around me seemed quieter

would ever be the same again. Damien's words echoed in my head, and I couldn't escape the weight of the promise I'd made. I was ab

d in my stomach. I had barely finished when my phone buzzed on the

was brief, t

e at your office at

d close in. At that moment, I realized that this was

glass building loomed over me, cold and imposing, and as I rode the elevator up to the top floor, my heart

I arrived. Her eyes flickered ner

r voice barely above a whisper. "

with black wax, the insignia of Blackwell Enterprises stamped across it. I fe

about the union itself-it was about power, control, and dominance. There were clauses about loyalty, confidentiality, and a list of stipulations abo

could focus on was the ring of the clock in the corner of the

was no love in this contract. No respect for what a marriage should be. Just

all man in a sharp suit walked toward me. He was unremarkable in appearance-bl

ed in a tone that left

etting the

's lawyer. I assume you've had a

my voice tight. "But there are so

e said, his voice flat. "You can either accept or refuse, but I

y stomach churn, but I had no ch

voice barely audibl

I signed the papers, sealing my fate. The moment the ink dried

rembling ever so slightly. It fel

words devoid of any warmth. "You're

he papers and leave the room. I was alone a

't for companionship. It was a business deal. A calculated move

inger, which I hadn't even noticed until now, seemed to burn as it settled in place. This

As Gregory Finch left, I couldn't help but glance down at my hands. The pen I had just used to sign my future felt cold against my skin, and when I finally looked at my left han

stood up from my desk. It did

n I would have liked. "I need a few minut

g me closely, probably sensing that something was off. She was my closest friend here, and yet, how could I explain any of this to her? She d

ld distract me. The city skyline outside the windows seemed like a distant dream, a place where eve

wouldn't come. Not with the stor

ld feel the tension settling into my muscles. I was about to face Damien again, and thi

louder than usual. The door to his office was open. He was standing near his desk, his broad b

id, my voice a little

n around. "Co

k, I couldn't help but notice how immaculate everything was-his desk, his office, even the crisp suit he wore, p

as unreadable as ever. "You've signed the con

ut even as I said the words, I r

so slightly. "Good. Now

ng strange on my tongue. "What does t

ith quiet confidence. His proximity made my pulse quicken, but I refused to show weakness. I had

ust inches from me, "we b

esence, the way he towered over me, that made my heart beat faster. This wasn't

voice low, almost predatory. "You're here because you have no choice. And I'm here

the sting of his words. "A

s eyes. "It means that I'll expect you to be a perfect wife i

here was nothing warm or affectionate about it. I

th restraint. "Is that all this is to you? A

t know what you were signing up for. You didn't come here bec

oil, but I held my ground. "No. But I did

ienna. You're my key to something greater.

lash out, to demand more answers, to scream at him for making me feel this way, but I stayed

as my wife?" he asked, his voice now smooth, a

by the sudden shift in his

be reporters, investors, and... other important people. It'll be your in

signed, and now I was expected to step into

I said, my voice

omething darker hidden behind them. "

oice-I couldn't help but wonder if I was in over my head. This marriage, this deal, was only just