The pen hovered just above the thick, cream-colored paper, its black ink poised to bind Eva Bennett's future to Logan Montgomery's in the most formal and coldly calculated way. The contract lay before her, an ironclad agreement that would cement her fate—a marriage of convenience, devoid of love, warmth, or any semblance of true companionship. Eva's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing with the uncertainty and fear she felt, yet her hand remained steady, determined.
She sat in Logan's expansive office, a room that felt as sterile and uninviting as the arrangement they were about to enter into. The walls were adorned with minimalistic art, expensive and tasteful, but lacking any true soul. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of New York City's skyline, but the sight only reminded Eva of how small she felt, how insignificant her desires seemed in the face of Logan's cold pragmatism.
Logan sat across from her, his sharp blue eyes fixed on her with a clinical intensity. He was impeccably dressed, as always, in a tailored suit that exuded power and control. His expression was unreadable, a mask of professionalism that gave no hint of the emotions, if any, that simmered beneath the surface. To him, this was just another business transaction, one that he would handle with the same detached efficiency he applied to all aspects of his life.
"Is there anything you'd like to discuss before you sign?" Logan's voice was smooth, almost dispassionate, as if he were negotiating a contract with a vendor, not asking a woman to become his wife.
Eva hesitated, her fingers gripping the pen a little tighter. The terms of the contract were clear—she would marry Logan, fulfill the public role of his wife for the duration of his business merger, and in return, her financial troubles would disappear. The boutique would be saved, her debts erased, and she would be free from this arrangement once the merger was complete. It was simple, clean, and utterly devoid of any emotional entanglement.
"No," she finally said, her voice quiet but resolute. "I understand everything."
Logan nodded, satisfied. "Good. Once you sign, we'll proceed with the next steps. The wedding will be a private affair, strictly business. No need for any unnecessary complications."
Unnecessary complications. The words stung more than they should have, but Eva forced herself to remain calm. She had known from the beginning that this was not about romance or love—it was about survival. And if signing this contract meant saving everything she had worked for, then she would do it.
Taking a deep breath, Eva lowered the pen to the paper and signed her name with deliberate strokes. The ink dried almost instantly, a stark black mark against the pristine white of the contract. It was done. She was now, legally and contractually, bound to Logan Montgomery.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Montgomery," Logan said as he took the contract from her and handed it to his lawyer, who had been silently observing from a corner of the room. The lawyer nodded in acknowledgment and left with the document, leaving Eva and Logan alone in the vast office.
The title felt foreign and wrong—Mrs. Montgomery. It didn't belong to her; it didn't belong to anyone. It was just another business title, like CEO or Director, and yet it was one she would have to wear until this charade was over.
"Thank you," Eva replied, her voice sounding hollow even to her own ears. She rose from her seat, smoothing the skirt of her dress as she did. The outfit had been carefully chosen for the occasion—professional, understated, and utterly devoid of the personal flair that usually characterized her designs.
Logan stood as well, towering over her with his commanding presence. "I've arranged for you to move into my penthouse this evening. The staff has already prepared everything. You'll find it comfortable."
Comfortable. The word seemed so out of place in this cold, transactional context. But Eva nodded, knowing she had no choice but to comply. "I'll pack my things."
"There's no need to bring much," Logan said, his tone brusque. "You'll find everything you need already provided. This arrangement isn't intended to be long-term, after all."
Eva bit back a retort, knowing it would do no good. Instead, she simply nodded again, a silent agreement to the terms he was dictating. She had signed the contract; now she had to live by it.
The ride to Logan's penthouse was a quiet one, the silence between them heavy with the weight of their new reality. Logan's driver, a discreet man in his late forties, maneuvered the sleek black car through the city's streets with practiced ease, while Logan sat beside Eva, his gaze focused on the road ahead, as if already distancing himself from the situation.
Eva stared out the window, watching as the city's familiar sights passed by. The boutiques, the cafes, the parks—places that had once brought her joy now felt distant and unreachable. Her life was about to change in ways she had never imagined, and the uncertainty of it all filled her with a sense of dread.
When they finally arrived at Logan's penthouse, Eva felt a surge of anxiety tighten her chest. The building was one of the most exclusive in the city, a towering glass structure that exuded wealth and privilege. The doorman greeted Logan with a respectful nod, and they were quickly ushered into a private elevator that whisked them up to the top floor.
As the elevator doors slid open, Eva was met with a view that took her breath away. Logan's penthouse was nothing short of spectacular, a sprawling space that combined modern design with unparalleled luxury. The open-plan living area was bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered a panoramic view of the city skyline. Everything was meticulously arranged, from the sleek, minimalist furniture to the carefully selected artwork that adorned the walls.
But despite the opulence, the penthouse felt cold, almost sterile, as if it were more of a showpiece than a home. There was no warmth here, no sense of life or personality—just an immaculate space designed to impress.
Logan walked ahead of her, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. "This will be your home for the duration of our arrangement," he said, his tone businesslike. "You'll have access to all the amenities, and the staff will attend to your needs."
Eva followed him into the master bedroom, a cavernous space that was just as impeccably designed as the rest of the penthouse. A king-sized bed dominated the room, its pristine white linens perfectly arranged. The walk-in closet, already filled with designer clothes, shoes, and accessories, was larger than Eva's entire apartment.
"You'll find everything you need here," Logan continued, gesturing to the closet. "If there's anything else you require, simply inform the staff, and it will be provided."
Eva nodded, feeling a strange sense of detachment as she took in her new surroundings. This was her life now—a life of luxury, comfort, and emptiness.
"Thank you," she said quietly, though the words felt hollow.
Logan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and for the first time, Eva saw a flicker of something in his eyes—uncertainty, perhaps, or maybe even regret. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual mask of cool indifference.
"We have a public appearance tomorrow," Logan said, his voice back to its usual tone of control. "It's a charity gala. We'll need to present ourselves as a united front."
Eva's heart sank at the thought. The idea of pretending to be a happy, devoted wife in front of a room full of strangers felt like an insurmountable task. But she had no choice; she had agreed to this, and she would have to see it through.
"Of course," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Logan nodded, satisfied with her compliance. "Good. I'll have the details sent to you. In the meantime, make yourself at home."
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Eva alone in the vast, luxurious space that was now her prison. She stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by the trappings of a life that wasn't hers, and felt a wave of loneliness wash over her.
This was the price she had agreed to pay to save her dream, to keep her boutique alive. But as she looked around the cold, empty room, she couldn't help but wonder if it was worth it. Would she lose herself in this arrangement? Would she become just another accessory in Logan's meticulously curated life?
Eva sank onto the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she tried to make sense of her emotions. She had never felt so isolated, so disconnected from the world around her. The life she had known was gone, replaced by a gilded cage that held no warmth, no love, and no hope for the future.
A soft knock at the door startled her, and Eva quickly wiped away the tears that had begun to well in her eyes. She didn't want anyone—least of all Logan—to see her like this, vulnerable and broken.
The door opened to reveal a young woman in a crisp uniform, her demeanor polite but distant. "Mrs. Montgomery," she said with a slight bow of her head. "I'm here to assist you with anything you need."
Eva forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Thank you… I'm fine for now."
The woman nodded, her expression neutral. "Very well. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call for me."
With that, she left, closing the door behind her. The silence that followed was deafening, and Eva found herself struggling to breathe in the oppressive atmosphere.
She lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts racing. This was just the beginning, she reminded herself. It would be hard, but she had to stay strong. This arrangement was temporary, a means to an end. Once the merger was complete, she would be free.
But as she closed her eyes, trying to will away the doubts and fears that gnawed at her, Eva couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing something far more precious than her freedom. She was losing herself.
And in this cold, sterile world that Logan had built, she wasn't sure she would ever find herself again.