The silence in Damon Rhys Sutherland's office was anything but comforting. It was a thick, heavy quiet, the kind that suffocated rather than soothed, wrapping around the edges of every dark marble surface and looming over the city skyline stretching out behind him. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the sea of lights that glittered across the city, his reflection a ghostly figure against the night.
His grip tightened around the glass of whiskey in his hand, a slow simmer of anger and frustration broiling beneath his polished surface. He was used to control—command over people, business, his own carefully guarded heart. But in recent months, the control he prided himself on had slipped, bit by bit, until now he found himself standing at the edge of a professional scandal that threatened to consume everything he'd built. The board was questioning his commitment, his reputation was under siege, and investors were growing restless.
As he looked down at the bustling streets below, he clenched his jaw, a decision hardening in his mind. If the board wanted proof of his stability, of his commitment, he'd give it to them. And he'd do it in a way that they couldn't challenge, couldn't twist against him. A marriage. The thought was as cold and calculated as a move in chess, a strategic counterplay to turn the tide in his favor.
Turning away from the window, Damon's gaze landed on the worn leather chair just across from his desk. His personal assistant, Vivienne Clarke, would likely still be sitting there, typing away at her laptop, finishing the last of the day's tasks. She was everything he needed—loyal, discreet, and efficient. But more than that, Vivienne had never allowed herself to be taken in by his wealth or power, treating him with a professionalism he rarely encountered.
But tonight, he would shatter that dynamic.
Taking a steadying breath, he crossed the room, pushing open the office door and glancing at her as she looked up, eyes questioning.
"Vivienne," he said, his voice steady, but his gaze intense. "I need a wife. And I want you."
Her startled expression was answer enough, but Damon didn't stop. He'd made his decision. And tonight, he would secure his future with her, whether either of them was ready for the storm it would bring.
Vivienne Clarke blinked, certain she'd misheard. She was used to Damon's demands—long hours, impossible deadlines, the ruthless efficiency he expected from everyone around him. But this? This was beyond anything she could have anticipated.
"A… wife?" She echoed, her tone somewhere between disbelief and a nervous laugh. "Mr. Sutherland, I'm not sure I'm following."
Damon's expression didn't waver. He moved closer, and she could see the steely determination in his eyes—the same look he wore before going in for a major acquisition. To him, this was just another business deal. But that cold, calculated gaze sparked an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Yes, a wife," he replied, setting down his glass and folding his hands as if it was all a matter of paperwork and signatures. "My reputation is on the line, and the board is growing concerned about my 'personal stability.' A marriage, even a temporary one, will keep them off my back and secure our current investors. And I want someone I can trust with this."
Vivienne's heart pounded as she looked up at him. "And you think that person is… me?"
He nodded, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "You're the only one who knows me well enough to make this believable. You're discreet, capable, and have no interest in my wealth or power—qualities I can't find anywhere else in this city."
She felt her cheeks heat at the unexpected compliment buried in his matter-of-fact statement. But it didn't erase the sheer audacity of his proposal.
"Mr. Sutherland… Damon…" she paused, choosing her words carefully. "Marriage isn't something you can just arrange like a merger or acquisition. It's—"
"A contract," he cut in, his tone colder now. "Nothing more, nothing less. I'm not asking you to love me or even to like me. All I'm asking for is a professional commitment for a few months. In return, I'll make sure you and your family are taken care of financially for the rest of your lives."
The mention of her family stopped her short. He knew. Damon always knew. He'd likely done his research, dissecting every detail of her life just as he did with any other strategic investment. He knew about her mother's medical bills, her sister's debt, the mountain of expenses she could barely manage each month. The quiet desperation she tried to hide was laid bare between them, undeniable.
"Why me?" she whispered, her voice unsteady. "There are dozens of women who'd jump at the chance to marry you."
"Yes," he admitted, a hint of something almost vulnerable flickering in his gaze before it vanished. "But those women want me for my name, my money, my influence. I don't need anyone like that. I need someone who'll keep up appearances without the complications of… attachment."
Vivienne looked away, her mind racing. A part of her wanted to turn him down on principle, to walk out and never look back. But the reality of her family's situation held her in place. Damon's offer could lift them out of the suffocating financial mess she'd been trying so hard to untangle. It was a business deal, a means to an end. She'd survived worse. Surely, she could survive this.
"If I agree," she said, lifting her chin, meeting his gaze, "I have conditions."
He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking in a faint smirk. "Of course you do. Go on."
"One," she began, voice firm, "there will be no… physical expectations. This is strictly professional. And two," she continued, steeling herself, "the moment you no longer need this arrangement, it ends. No games. No dragging it out."
Damon's eyes narrowed, the faintest hint of amusement in them. "Agreed. Though you should know, I don't do games, Vivienne. I expect the same from you."
A beat passed, and then she nodded. She felt as if she were signing a pact with the devil, but it was one she couldn't afford to refuse.
"Fine," she replied, extending her hand, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. "You have yourself a wife, Damon."
Damon took her hand, his grip firm and unyielding, sealing the deal that would change everything between them. Neither knew then how deeply they'd regret the agreement or how quickly they'd be drawn into a world of deception, desire, and dangerous secrets. But one thing was clear: the battle had only just begun.