The persistent chime of the boutique's doorbell echoed through the otherwise quiet space, each sound like a strike to Eva Bennett's already fraying nerves. It was a late afternoon, and the golden hour sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the rows of designer gowns she had painstakingly created. But the beauty of her work, the intricate lace and delicate beadwork, did little to soothe the anxiety gnawing at her. Her boutique, once a thriving gem in the heart of New York's fashion district, was now on the brink of collapse.
Eva's hands trembled as she tried to focus on the fabric swatch she was holding. The colors blurred together, her mind too preoccupied with the weight of her mounting debts. She could hear the low murmur of voices in the background—the creditors who had walked in only minutes ago, their presence filling the boutique with an oppressive tension.
"Miss Bennett," one of them called, his voice stern and devoid of empathy. "We need to discuss the overdue payments."
Eva swallowed hard, her throat dry. She forced herself to look up, meeting the gaze of the man who had spoken. His expression was hard, his eyes cold as he took in the sight of her. He was flanked by two other men, all of them dressed in dark suits that made them look more like corporate vultures than simple creditors.
"I... I understand," Eva managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just need a little more time."
"Time?" The man scoffed, crossing his arms. "Miss Bennett, you've already been given extensions, and yet the payments have not been made. We're not here to negotiate further delays. We're here to collect."
Panic surged through Eva, and she clenched the fabric swatch tighter in her hands. "Please, I'm doing everything I can. The business… it's been slow, but I'm working on new designs, trying to bring in more clients. If you could just—"
"No more excuses," another man interrupted, his tone harsher than the first. "You have two options: pay up now, or we'll begin the process of seizing assets. That includes this boutique and everything in it."
Eva's heart pounded in her chest, the reality of her situation crashing down on her. She had poured everything into this boutique—her savings, her dreams, her very soul. And now, it was slipping through her fingers. The thought of losing it, of watching as strangers tore apart the life she had built, was unbearable.
"I can't…" Eva's voice broke, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't have the money right now."
"Then you leave us no choice." The first man signaled to his companions, and they began to move toward the racks of dresses, ready to inventory what they could sell.
"Wait!" Eva's shout echoed through the boutique, desperation lacing her words. "Please, there must be something we can do. Some arrangement we can come to…"
The men hesitated, exchanging glances. But before they could respond, the doorbell chimed once more, and this time, the presence that entered the boutique sent a ripple of unease through the room.
Logan Montgomery stepped inside, his tall frame casting a shadow that seemed to absorb the fading light of the afternoon. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his expression was one of calm control—a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within Eva. His piercing blue eyes swept across the room, taking in the scene with a detached interest before settling on Eva.
"Gentlemen," Logan's voice was smooth, commanding attention as he walked further into the boutique. "I believe you should leave."
The creditors stiffened at the sight of him, their bravado faltering. Logan Montgomery was a name that carried weight in New York—wealthy, powerful, and not someone you crossed lightly.
"We… we were just doing our job," one of the men stammered, clearly intimidated by Logan's presence.
"And now your job is done," Logan replied coolly. "Leave, or I'll have my lawyers ensure you never work in this city again."
The threat hung in the air like a guillotine, and the men didn't need to be told twice. They exchanged uneasy glances before hastily exiting the boutique, the doorbell chiming one last time as they disappeared.
Silence fell over the room, broken only by the soft sound of Eva's uneven breathing. She was still clutching the fabric swatch, her knuckles white, and she stared at Logan as if he were some kind of apparition.
"Logan," she finally whispered, her voice trembling. "What are you doing here?"
Logan's gaze remained fixed on her, unreadable as always. He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming in the small space of the boutique. "It seems you're in a bit of trouble, Eva."
His words were understated, almost casual, but they cut through her like a knife. Eva's cheeks flushed with a mixture of shame and anger. She hated that he had seen her like this—vulnerable, on the verge of losing everything.
"I didn't ask for your help," she replied, her voice firmer now, though it still wavered at the edges. "I can handle this on my own."
Logan arched an eyebrow, the hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Clearly."
Eva's temper flared at his condescension, but she forced herself to remain composed. Logan had always had a way of getting under her skin, of making her feel small in his presence. He was the epitome of success—wealthy, influential, and untouchable. And she was just a struggling designer, trying to keep her dreams alive in a world that seemed determined to crush them.
"What do you want, Logan?" Eva asked, crossing her arms over her chest in a feeble attempt to shield herself from his penetrating gaze.
Logan studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he took another step closer, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone. "I want to make you an offer."
Eva's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding settling in her stomach. She knew Logan well enough to understand that nothing he did was without purpose, without an agenda. He was a man who played his cards close to his chest, always calculating his next move.
"What kind of offer?" she asked warily.
"A mutually beneficial one," Logan replied, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're in financial trouble, Eva. I can help you save your boutique, clear your debts, and even give you the resources to expand. In return, you'll help me with a… personal matter."
Eva frowned, confusion mingling with her wariness. "What kind of personal matter?"
Logan hesitated for the briefest of moments, a flicker of something almost vulnerable passing through his eyes before his mask of control slipped back into place. "I need a wife."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implications. Eva stared at him, stunned into silence. Of all the things she had expected him to say, this was not one of them.
"A wife?" she repeated, disbelief coloring her tone. "Are you serious?"
"Completely," Logan replied, his voice steady. "It's a business arrangement, nothing more. I need to present a stable image for an upcoming merger, and having a wife will help solidify that image. In return, you'll get everything you need to save your boutique and more."
Eva shook her head, her mind reeling. "You're asking me to marry you for business? To be your… your trophy wife?"
Logan's expression didn't change, but there was a hardness in his eyes that made it clear he wasn't joking. "You're not a trophy, Eva. You're a smart, capable woman who needs a lifeline, and I'm offering you one. This is a chance for both of us to get what we want."
Eva felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down into an abyss. The idea of marrying Logan—of tying herself to a man who saw her as nothing more than a means to an end—was terrifying. But so was the thought of losing everything she had worked for, of watching her dreams crumble to dust.
"What's in it for you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Logan's gaze softened, just for a moment. "I need someone I can trust, someone who won't complicate things with emotions or expectations. You've always been straightforward, Eva. I respect that. This arrangement will be clean, simple, and beneficial to both of us."
Eva's mind raced, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She knew what this would mean—giving up any hope of a real marriage, of love, of a future that wasn't dictated by Logan's terms. But she also knew that without his help, she was finished.
"What about… what about Sophia?" The question slipped out before Eva could stop herself, and she immediately regretted it.
Logan's expression darkened at the mention of Sophia, the woman who had left him for his brother. The wound was still fresh, and Eva knew she had touched a nerve.
"Sophia is in the past," Logan said, his tone cold. "This has nothing to do with her. This is about business."
Eva bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. She was torn, caught between the desire to save her dream and the fear of what this arrangement would cost her.
"If I agree," she began slowly, her voice trembling, "what happens when the merger is done? What happens to us?"
Logan's gaze held hers, unflinching. "When the merger is done, we go our separate ways. The marriage will be annulled, and you'll be free to do whatever you want. You'll have your boutique, your financial security, and no further obligations to me."
It sounded so clinical, so devoid of emotion. But that was Logan—practical, efficient, and utterly detached. He was offering her a lifeline, but it came with strings attached. And those strings would bind her to him, at least for a while.
Eva took a deep breath, her decision weighing heavily on her. She knew there was no other way out of this mess, no other way to save her boutique and keep her dream alive.
"All right," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I'll do it. I'll marry you."
Logan's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something—relief, perhaps—in his eyes. He nodded once, a silent acknowledgment of the agreement they had just made.
"Good," he said simply. "I'll have the contract drawn up. We'll make it official by the end of the week."
Eva nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had just agreed to. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back now.
As Logan turned to leave, Eva watched him go, her mind racing with the implications of their arrangement. She had just made a deal with the devil, and she could only hope that she wouldn't lose herself in the process.