y and moved rapidly. Her hands shook a little,

age proposal, kept drawing her eyes. Its great weight was nearly suffocatin

lex Blackwood, a guy who viewed her as just a pawn, made her stomach flip since she had no other choices, no one el

hed to fight, to shout in outrage at the unfairness of everything. Yet, her circumstances were unrelenting. Her

left her attracted her attention; its edges slightly curled with age. Years had passed

ugh her gaze roamed the sentences, the one that stood out and cause

s, the skyline of the city was a flawless vista of power, riches, and control. Standing behind his desk, Alex appeared as ca

on fraught with doubt made her heart accelerat

ven notice her beyond a frigid look. His eyes wer

easured. "I hope you have

effort to stifle the shiver

desk across the surface to her. The official papers we

ng hers. You will wed me. You will act as my wife. Your

rstood what she was giving up, what she was signing up

y yet analytical gaze. Sign it or

face inscrutable as if the deal between

e had signed, and the unavoidable future she had just consented to. Though she had sacrificed everything for he

he weight of it pressing against her skin. Neither of them wishe

y gotten unbearable. She looked at the television, a fast breath l

the line, "What's going on, Melis

h, so she hadn't anticipated her mother learning so soon. Though she lac

voice trembling. She

est hint of excitement flashing over his features.

ing is alright, Mom. No need to pani

feeling of entrapment. Her breath was the only sound in the great vacuum; the quiet was

sitioned with military precision, appeared to mock her discomfort. She stepped to the window and put down her purse.

t. This was her reality going forward. Alex Blackwood's world was

covers and onto the bed. The covers were chilly agains

down, and that's when she spotted it. A littl

th trembling fingers. The handwritin

st as caug

o rescue her family, she had consented to this, to him. Still, she could not overlook the sinister reality under

s and gaze made her feel as thoug

gnore the tension that flashed between them. Though it was a whisper and tra

She could not afford to lose herself in them. She had to

le. The cold metal brushed against her flesh, anchoring her in real

ard a stir behind her. A chill rushed down her back. Her heart racing, sh

man emerged. Melissa's breathing tighte

voice murmur

trust