Lena sat at her small kitchen table, staring at the glass of water in front of her. Her fingers drummed nervously on the edge of the cup, the silence around her almost suffocating. It had been a full day since she had agreed to Ethan's proposal, and the weight of her decision was now pressing down on her chest. She had told herself she would take time to think about it. Yet, now that the choice had been made, the reality of it was sinking in. She was going to marry Ethan Rivers, the coldest, most elusive man she'd ever met, not out of love or desire, but to fulfill a dying wish and secure her future.
Her phone buzzed suddenly, and she nearly jumped out of her seat. It was a message from Ethan.
"Meet me at the office at 6. We'll discuss the details."
The message was short, direct, and left no room for hesitation. Lena stared at it, her stomach knotting as she considered the implications of their arrangement. She was about to become his wife, but only on paper. A marriage of convenience. A partnership built on necessity, not affection.
At 6 PM sharp, Lena arrived at the Rivers Corporation building, the massive structure looming ahead of her, its glass walls reflecting the evening sky like a mirror. She took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. She didn't know what awaited her inside, but she couldn't turn back now. Her pride wouldn't allow it.
The receptionist greeted her as usual, her expression neutral. Lena nodded, not in the mood for small talk, and made her way to the elevator. As the doors slid open, she stepped in and pressed the button for the top floor, her heartbeat rising as the elevator ascended. Each floor she passed felt like another layer of distance between her and her former life, her old self.
When the doors opened, Lena stepped into a vast hallway, the sleek modern decor contrasting with her own simple outfit. Ethan's office was at the end of the hall, its door slightly ajar. She knocked once, her hand trembling as she heard Ethan's deep voice from inside.
"Come in."
She pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Ethan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to her as he looked out over the city. The city lights sparkled below, but they did nothing to warm the cold atmosphere of the room.
"You're here," he said without turning, his voice steady, but there was an edge to it that made Lena's skin prickle.
"I came as soon as I got your message," she replied, keeping her voice calm despite the nerves that were twisting in her stomach.
Ethan finally turned to face her, his gray eyes sharp, his expression unreadable. "Good. We need to finalize the details. This won't be an easy arrangement, Lena. You're stepping into a world you don't fully understand."
Lena met his gaze, her chin lifted. "I'm not afraid of hard work," she said firmly. "I can handle whatever you throw at me."
Ethan's lips twitched into a brief smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's not about hard work. It's about playing a role, making sacrifices. If you think this will be easy, you're mistaken."
She nodded, a chill running down her spine. "I understand. So, what's the plan?"
Ethan gestured toward the desk, where a stack of papers sat neatly arranged. "We'll sign a contract," he explained, his voice steady. "It'll lay out the terms of our 'marriage.' There will be no intimacy, no expectations beyond appearances. We'll live separately when we're not at public events. But you'll be expected to be by my side when needed. We'll both attend meetings, gala events, and anything else that requires a 'husband and wife' presence."
Lena frowned, feeling a knot in her stomach. "What if I want to back out?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain calm. "This isn't something I'm used to. I'm not a pawn in your game, Ethan."
His eyes darkened at the challenge in her voice, but his expression remained cool. "You knew what you were getting into when you agreed," he said, his voice low and unyielding. "There's no turning back. Your life will be tied to mine now, whether you like it or not."
Lena's pulse quickened. She could feel the weight of his words, the finality of them. She had made her choice, and now she had to live with it. She couldn't back out, not without jeopardizing everything she'd worked for.
She reached for the contract on the desk, her fingers brushing against the cold paper. The fine print blurred as she stared at it, the pressure of the moment overwhelming her. She was making a deal with the devil, and yet, something in her still wanted to believe it wasn't too late to change her mind.
Ethan leaned against the desk, his gaze fixed on her. "You don't have to sign it tonight, Lena. But you will have to sign it eventually. I need this done within the week, and once we're married, there will be no turning back. You will be expected to fulfill your role, and I will hold you to it."
Lena looked up at him, swallowing hard. "And what happens if I refuse? If I say I can't do it?"
His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Then you'll have nothing. No money, no protection. And I'll make sure you understand just how hard it will be to survive in this city without me."
The threat hung in the air, thick and heavy. Lena's heart raced as she realized how easily Ethan could destroy her if he wanted to. She was in a game she didn't understand, and her only chance of survival was to play by his rules.
With a deep breath, she picked up the pen and signed the contract. The sound of the pen against paper echoed in the room, a symbol of her decision, of her surrender.
As soon as she finished signing, Ethan's demeanor shifted. His icy exterior remained, but there was something else in his eyes now—something like satisfaction. He picked up the contract and put it in a drawer, locking it away.
"Good," he said, his voice colder now. "You're mine now, Lena. Don't forget that."
Lena felt a chill run through her at his words. She had hoped that signing the contract would bring a sense of closure, but instead, it only made her feel more trapped. She was now a pawn in Ethan's game, and she had no idea what he planned to do next.
Ethan stepped around the desk and walked toward her, his presence overwhelming. "Tomorrow, we'll begin our first public appearance as a married couple," he said, his voice low and commanding. "You'll need to look the part. No mistakes. Understand?"
Lena nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Understood."
He held her gaze for a moment longer before turning away, heading toward the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Lena remained in the office long after he left, her thoughts swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and fear. She had made her decision, but the reality of it was much harder to face than she had imagined.
When she arrived home, the silence of her apartment was suffocating. The walls felt like they were closing in on her as she walked to her bedroom, stripped off her clothes, and collapsed onto the bed. Her mind raced with questions, doubts, and the cold fear that gnawed at her insides.
She had signed a contract. A contract that tied her to Ethan Rivers. A man she barely knew, a man who seemed to exist in a world so far removed from hers. What had she done? Was it really worth it? Could she really go through with this?
Lena closed her eyes, exhaustion overwhelming her. She had no answers, no comfort. She only had the gnawing certainty that her life had just changed forever.
The next morning, Lena woke early, her nerves already on edge. She had to look the part today—she had to convince the world that her marriage to Ethan was real. But deep down, she knew the truth. Their marriage was nothing but a lie.
She dressed carefully, choosing a sleek black dress that fit her body perfectly. She had no idea what the day would bring, but she knew that she had to stay composed, to maintain control.
When she arrived at the Rivers Corporation building, the tension between them was palpable. Ethan stood by the entrance, waiting for her, his suit sharp and impeccable as always. His eyes flicked over her, cold and calculating, before he nodded once.
"You're ready," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Let's go."
And with that, the door to her new life slammed shut behind her.
But as they walked toward the waiting car, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something had shifted in the air, something dangerous—and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face it.