His Temporary Wife

The Contract

"I've waited ten years to find you."

The words echoed inside Evelyn's head long after Damien stopped speaking.

She stared at him, searching his face for even the slightest hint that he was joking.

There was none.

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"I haven't."

His answer came too quickly.

Too confidently.

Evelyn took a step back, putting distance between them.

"We've never met."

Damien's gaze lingered on her, unreadable.

"Not that you remember."

A chill crawled down her spine.

"What does that mean?"

"It means exactly what I said."

Silence settled between them.

Rain continued tapping against the towering windows, making the office feel strangely isolated from the rest of the city.

Damien picked up the contract from his desk.

"One year."

He placed it in front of her again.

"You'll live in my penthouse."

"You'll attend every public event as my wife."

"You'll never discuss the agreement with anyone."

"And after twelve months..."

His voice remained calm.

"We divorce."

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh.

"You expect me to believe this is only business?"

"It is."

"Then why me?"

He looked at her for several seconds.

Long enough to make her uncomfortable.

"Because I trust you."

She almost laughed again.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"No."

She shook her head firmly.

"You know what's written in a report."

"You don't know who I am."

For the first time, something flickered across Damien's expression.

Respect.

Just for a second.

"You have integrity."

Evelyn blinked.

"You refused money from three loan sharks because they wanted your mother's apartment."

"You worked double shifts instead."

"You sold your car."

"You skipped meals."

"But you never gave up."

Every sentence struck her like a blow.

No one knew those things.

Not even some of her closest friends.

"Did you have someone following me?"

"I protect my investments."

"I'm not an investment."

"No."

His voice softened, almost imperceptibly.

"You're far more valuable than that."

Before Evelyn could answer, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

City Hospital.

Her heart stopped.

She answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"Miss Carter," the nurse said gently. "We're calling regarding your sister's surgery."

Evelyn's fingers trembled.

"We still haven't received the remaining payment."

She closed her eyes.

"I'm trying."

"I'm sorry, but unless payment is made before tomorrow evening, the operation will have to be postponed."

"No..."

"It's hospital policy."

The call ended.

Silence.

Damien had heard every word.

Without saying anything, he slid a black envelope across the desk.

She hesitated before opening it.

Inside was a cashier's check.

$200,000.

Exactly the amount she owed.

Her breathing became uneven.

"You planned this."

"I prepared for every possibility."

"I can't accept this."

"You haven't."

"I'll pay you back."

"No."

"I don't want charity."

"It's not charity."

He tapped the contract once.

"It's an exchange."

Evelyn looked down at the paper.

One signature.

That was all it would take to change her life.

Or ruin it.

"What if I fall in love with someone else?"

Damien's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

"You won't."

His certainty irritated her.

"You seem very confident."

"I am."

"And what if..."

She lifted her chin defiantly.

"...you fall in love with me?"

For the first time since she'd entered the office, Damien smiled.

It wasn't warm.

It wasn't kind.

It was dangerous.

"I don't believe in love."

Those words should have reassured her.

Instead...

They somehow hurt.

He uncapped an expensive fountain pen and placed it beside the contract.

"You have twenty-four hours."

"If you don't come back..."

He slipped his hands into his pockets.

"...I'll assume you've chosen your freedom."

Evelyn swallowed hard.

"And my sister?"

"The offer expires tomorrow."

She picked up the check with trembling hands.

"I hate you."

"I know."

"You make me feel trapped."

"I know."

She stared at him for one last second before turning toward the door.

Just as she reached it—

"Miss Carter."

She stopped.

Without turning around, she asked quietly,

"What?"

Damien's voice was lower than before.

"If you walk away..."

"...I'll still make sure your sister has the surgery."

Evelyn froze.

"What?"

"You heard me."

She slowly turned back, confusion written all over her face.

"I thought you said the offer would expire."

"It will."

"Then why would you still help me?"

For the first time, the mask around Damien's eyes cracked.

Just enough for genuine emotion to slip through.

"Because..."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"...I promised someone I'd protect you."

Her breath caught.

"Who?"

Damien's expression turned cold once again.

"Sign the contract."

"Then I'll tell you."