The morning sun poured into Nova's studio, casting long beams of light over her cluttered desk, illuminating the contract that lay waiting.
She had spent all night tossing and turning, unable to escape the mounting pressure of what today would bring, her decision was already made, but that didn't make it any easier.
In a few hours, she would meet Dorian Sterling again, but this time, she wouldn't just be Nova Quinn, photographer---she would be his fiancée, his future wife.
Nova dressed in simple yet elegant clothing, opting for white floral gown and dark heels. She brushed her curls out, letting them fall naturally around her face,there was no point in pretending to be someone she wasn't, not yet ant ways.
Dorian may have been surrounded by models and elite, but she was a photographer, an artist, and she wasn't about to lose that part of herself, even in the face of this contract.
A glanced at the mirror revealed the unease on her face. Her skin, usually glowing with determination, looked pale, and her eyes, usually sharp and focused, were clouded with uncertainty.She paced her camera bag--- a reflex she couldn't shake, even on a day like this----and head out.
The walk to Dorian's office felt longer than usual, her mind swirling with second thoughts.What was getting herself into? But the memory of her landlord's quiet apology echoed in her mind, reminding her that this wasn't just a choice--- it was survival.
When Nova arrived at Dorian's sleek office building, the air felt different. The towering structure stood like a fortress, gleaming and cold, much like the man who resided within. The same glass walls, the same polished floors, all symbols of the life she was about to step into. She exhaled, steadying her nerves before stepping into the elevator that would take her to the top floor.
The receptionist, immaculately dressed as always, greeted her with a professional smile. "Miss Quinn, Mr. Sterling is expecting you . Please follow me."
Nova's heart thudded in her chest as she was led down the hell to Dorian's office. She braced herself, trying to muster as much composure as possible. When the door opened, Dorian was already there standing by the window, his back to her, just as he had been during their first meeting. His office was reflection of him---- sharp, efficient, devoid of warmth.
The view of Manhattan stretched out behind him, and for a moment, Nova was struck by the contrast between her life and his. He was at the top of the world, and she was struggling just to stay afloat.
"Right on time," Dorian said his voice as cool and controlled as ever. He turned to face her, those piercing grey eyes locking onto hers. His tailored suit was immaculate, a deep navy that made him look even more formidable than usual. "I assume you've had time to review the contract."
Nova nodded her throat tight. "Yes, i have."
Dorian motioned toward the long, polished table in the center of the room. "Shall we?" he didn't wait for her to respond, simply taking his seat and sliding the contract towards her, a pen placed carefully on top.
Nova sat down across from him, her hands trembling slightly as she took the pen. She glanced at Dorian, who was watching her intently, his expression unreadable.
His presence was like a weight in the room, his calm control only serving to remind her how much she was giving up.
She stared at the contract for what felt like an eternity, the words blurring together. Everything in her wanted to rip the paper apart and run, but she couldn't, this was her chance to save her studio, to keep her dream alive.
"Is there something wrong?" Dorian's voice broke through her thoughts, steady and unnerving.
"No," Nova replied quickly, her voice faltering. Her hands trembling as she signed the contract, the weight of her decision settling heave on her shoulders.
Dorian's piercing grey eyes watched her. She felt like a pawn in his game of corporate chess.With each letter, she felt a part of herself slip away, replaced by the cold, hard reality of what she had just agreed to.
Dorian took the contract from her once she was finished, his gaze never leaving her. "Good. We'll make the announcement in few days. The wedding will be scheduled soon after."
Nova's head snapped up at his words. "The wedding? Already?"
"Of course," he said, his tone as though this were the most obvious thing in the world. "The sooner we're married, the sooner we can move forward. My shareholders are eager for stability."
"And what about me?" Nova's voice was sharper than she intended. "I'm just supposed to jump into this without any time to prepare?"
Dorian's expression remained unchanged; though his eyes flickered with something she couldn't place---- perhaps amusement, or maybe just cold calculation. "You've had time to consider this, Nova. You agreed to the terms. This isn't about romance or sentimentality. It's business.
The sooner we do this, the sooner you'll have what you need to save your studio.
"His words cut through her like a blade. Of course, this wasn't about her. It was about him, about his image, his control. But that was what she had agreed to, wasn't it? A marriage in name only.
She couldn't expect anything else.
Nova stood up, her hands gripping the edges of her bag tightly. "fine. Just tell me when and where."
Dorian's gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "I'll have my assistant reach out with the details. In the main time, we'll need to make sure the press understands our narrative."
"Narrative? Nova raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is our narrative, Dorian?"
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing how much to reveal. "That we've been in a quiet relationship for few months.
Given your independent career, we kept it out of the public eye until now. Our wedding will be an intimate affair, just close family and friends, followed by a modest reception for the sake of appearances."
Nova could hardly believe what she was hearing. The entire story was already crafted, down to the last detail. She was expected to fit into this neatly packaged fiction without a second thought.
It wasn't just her freedom she was giving up---it was her identity, her life."Just like that?" she muttered, more to herself than to him.Dorian stood, his imposing figure moving toward her with deliberate grace.
"Nova, this is what we agreed to. I'm giving you the opportunity to save your studio, your career. In return, you help me secure my position. It's a simple exchange.
"His words, while logical, felt like ice in her veins. It wasn't simple at all. But before she could respond, he was standing to close, his presence overwhelming. His gray eyes bored into hers, and for a brief moment, she saw something behind that cold exterior--- something almost human.
Vulnerability, perhaps? Or maybe a glimmer of recognition that this wasn't as easy for her as it was for him.
But the moment passed, and Dorian was once again the impenetrable fortress she had come to expect.
"I'll see you in few days," he said quietly, stepping back, his gaze shifting away.
"Nova nodded."
Her throat too tight to speak.
She turned and walked out of his office, her mind racing, her heart heavy. As Nova stepped out into the crisp New York air, the sounds of the city flooded back, pulling her from the suffocating quiet of Dorian's world. The streets were alive with honking taxis, pedestrians rushing to their destinations, and distant hum of conversation. Yet, she felt detached from it all, like she was walking through a haze, the reality of her situation slowly sinking in.
Her feet carried her forward, but her mind was miles away, tangled in the consequences of what she had just done. She had signed away her freedom, her autonomy, for a contract that would bind her to a man who barely saw her as anything more than a strategic asset.
And now, she would have to live a carefully constructed web of lies that Dorian had set out for her.
For a moment, she stopped at the corner of the street, her gaze lifting to the towering skyscrapers around her.
These buildings, like Dorian, were symbols of power, wealth, and control---- things she had never cared for but was now deeply entangled with.
Could she really do this? Could she play the part of Dorian Sterling's devoted wife while keeping her own identity intact? The thought terrified her, but it was too late to back out now.
With a deep breath, Nova squared her shoulders and continued down the street. The contract was signed, and the game had begun.
Now, she had to figure out how to survive it without losing herself completely.
As Nova continued walking, her thoughts churned like a storm inside her head. Every step she took felt heavier, weighed down by the enormity of what she had committed to. She had always prided herself on being independent, someone who created her own path.
Now, she was caught in someone else's game, playing by Dorian Sterling's rules. The stark reality of it all gnawed art her. For the next year, she would have to pretend to love a man barely tolerated, and in return, she'd save her studio and her livelihood. But at what cost?
The lines between duty and desire, between obligation and emotion, were already blurring, and she hadn't even begun to face the public scrutiny that would follow once their fake engagement was announcedThis arrangement might have been on Dorian's terms, but that didn't means she had to lose herself in it.
She would play the role he needed, but she would also protect what mattered most to her--- her art, her freedom, and her sense of self. Nova could endure this façade for a year, she told herself.
And when it was all over, she would walk away stronger, with her career intact. If Dorian Sterling thought, he was the only one in control he is sorely mistaken. This wasn't just his game—it was hers too, and she intended to play it well.
As she crossed the street, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Nova pulled it out and saw a message from Dorian's assistant, Ronan:
"We'll need you for an interview with the press tomorrow. 9a.m. sharp at the Sterling office. Prepare to discuss your "relationship."
Nova's grip tightened on the phone. The reality of what was about to unfold hit her harder than ever.
Tomorrow, she'd be in front of the press, selling a fabricated love story to the world. She would have to look into Dorian's cold, detached eyes and pretend there was warmth there, chemistry even.
Her stomach churned at the thought. Everything about this was so artificial, so far from the life she'd envisioned for herself. She had once imagined falling in love slowly, in her own time, with someone who cherished her passion for photography and understood her chaotic world.
Now, instead of love, she had a contract--- and an obligation to smile and lie to cameras.
As Nova began to prepare for the press interview, she discovered a disturbing clause in the contract:
"Stating that in the event of any negative publicity or damage to Dorian Sterling's reputation, Nova Quinn agrees to relinquish all rights to her photography studio and intellectual property"
"This can be said Nova."
Nova's heart sank; she had unknowingly put her life's work at risk.
This revelation ignited a fire within her; she was determined to find a way out of this suffocating arrangement without losing anything.
She had faced struggles before--- being a woman in the cutthroat world of photography.
This wasn't the end of her story--- it was only just the beginning of a new chapter, one she'd write on her own terms.She was bound to Dorian Sterling--- not by love, not by choice, but by necessity.
And as much as she wanted to believe she could navigate this cold arrangement with her heart intact, a sinking feeling told her that the road ahead would be more dangerous than she had ever imagined.