Olivia's stomach tightened, but she held his gaze, refusing to let him see her fear.
"Name your price, then," she said, her voice steady despite the dread pooling in her chest.
He paused, his gaze never leaving her, a faint glimmer of interest flickering in his eyes. "Very well," he said, leaning forward. "I have a proposal for you, but it's not one you'll find in a typical business arrangement."
Her heart pounded, each beat echoing in her ears as she waited for him to continue.
"I'm offering you a contract marriage," he said, his voice calm, almost casual, as if he were discussing a simple transaction. "In exchange for your hand in marriage, I will provide the financial backing necessary to save your family's company."
Olivia's breath caught in her throat. She had anticipated that he might demand something significant, but this... this was beyond anything she had imagined.
"A… marriage?" She stammered, struggling to process his words.
"Yes," he replied smoothly. "A marriage of convenience. Our arrangement will be strictly contractual, beneficial for both parties. You'll have your company saved, and I... will have someone by my side for appearances."
Olivia stared at him, her mind racing, emotions swirling—a mixture of disbelief, confusion, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite identify. He looked so calm, so certain, as if he knew she had no other choice.
"What if I refuse?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Alexander's expression remained unchanging. "Then I wish you the best of luck finding another solution, Ms. Grant. But I suspect you already know—there are no other options."
She felt her chest tighten, the walls closing in on her. This wasn't just a decision about her family's legacy; it was a choice between survival and ruin.
"I... I need time to think about it," she said, her voice trembling.
"Take all the time you need," he replied smoothly, "but remember—time is not on your side."
After the meeting, Olivia found herself wandering the streets of New York in a daze, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The cold wind bit at her cheeks, but she barely noticed. She felt trapped, as if every path had led her to this impossible choice.
Later that evening, Olivia met Megan at a quiet café, seeking solace in the company of her best friend. As they settled into their seats, Olivia couldn't hold back her emotions any longer, the weight of Alexander's proposal pressing on her heart.
"Megan, he wants me to marry him," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Megan's eyes widened in shock. "Marry him? Are you serious?"
"It's a contract marriage," Olivia explained, struggling to find the right words. "He'll save the company, but in return... I have to marry him."
Megan reached across the table, taking Olivia's hands in hers. "Liv, this is... insane. You can't just marry someone for money, even if it's to save the company."
Olivia's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her friend. "I know, Megan. But what other choice do I have? If I don't do this, we lose everything. My family loses everything."
Megan sighed, her expression softening. "I understand, Liv. I just… I hate seeing you go through this. You deserve better."
Olivia nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. She felt torn, trapped between her own desires and the responsibility she carried. A part of her longed to say no, to walk away and find another path. But the reality of her situation loomed over her, leaving her no escape.
The following day, Olivia returned to Alexander's office, her heart pounding as she entered the room. Alexander looked up as she approached, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"I'll do it," she said, her voice steady but filled with resignation.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good choice, Ms. Grant."
And with those words, Olivia felt her fate sealed, the beginning of a journey she could never have anticipated—a journey that would test her strength, challenge her heart, and ultimately, change her life forever.
As the initial shock of her agreement settled, Olivia felt a mixture of dread and numbness flood her senses. She wasn't quite sure if she was standing on solid ground or if the world was spinning beneath her feet. Her mind buzzed with questions she dared not ask aloud, and a silent chill ran down her spine as she took in Alexander's calculating smile. It wasn't a friendly one; it was the smile of a man who knew he held all the power.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he examined her. "We'll arrange the details over the next few days," he said calmly, his tone almost dismissive, as if this was nothing more than a routine business transaction.
His words felt like a splash of cold water on her face. She'd just agreed to marry a man she barely knew, and he spoke of it with the same ease one might use to discuss the weather. The realization was enough to make her stomach churn, but she forced herself to nod, swallowing down the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Is there… anything else I need to know?" Olivia managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander's eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw a hint of something softer, almost humane, behind the icy exterior. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual stoic expression.
"There will be terms, of course," he replied smoothly. "Rules, boundaries. I will draft the contract, and you will follow it precisely. Our arrangement is mutually beneficial, but I expect complete adherence to my conditions."