Chapter 1: The Contract
1031 Words
Rain fell in soft drizzles outside the courthouse, tapping lightly against the windows as Sofia Carter sat on the cold bench, fingers clutched tightly around her purse. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat louder than the last, threatening to betray the calm expression she wore.
She had always imagined her wedding day would be something out of a fairytale—flowers, music, laughter. Not this. Not a silent, rushed signature on legal papers with a man who hadn’t even looked at her once since they stepped into the room.
Dominic Stone stood beside her, tall, cold, and terrifyingly composed. In his black tailored suit, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a business magazine, not at a secret courthouse wedding with a girl like her. He hadn't said a single word to her beyond what was necessary. He didn’t need to.
The judge cleared his throat, glancing at the document between them. “This is a confidential union, per both parties’ agreement. Once you’ve signed, the marriage is legally binding. You may proceed.”
Sofia picked up the pen, her hand trembling. She stared at the marriage certificate, her name already typed neatly: Sofia Grace Carter. Her eyes moved to the other name: Dominic Elias Stone. Billionaire. CEO of Stone Enterprises. The man every woman in New York dreamed of—and feared.
Her pen scratched across the paper as she signed.
A moment later, Dominic followed, his signature bold and precise.
“That’s it,” the judge announced. “You’re married.”
Just like that. No kiss. No celebration. Only a deep silence between them as Dominic turned away, his phone already back in his hand, barking quiet orders to someone on the other end.
Sofia stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. The ache in her chest was growing stronger with every passing second.
She followed him wordlessly into the black Rolls Royce waiting outside. The driver didn’t ask questions. Dominic slid in first, then gestured for her to sit across from him.
She hesitated before stepping in.
“Don’t be scared,” he said, finally speaking to her directly. His voice was deep, calm, and distant. “You agreed to this. You knew what it meant.”
“I’m not scared,” she lied, lowering her gaze.
“Good.”
They rode in silence for several minutes. Sofia stole a glance at him. He was staring out the window, his jaw tight, his eyes unreadable. He was handsome in a sharp, almost dangerous way. Black hair, piercing steel-gray eyes, and a face that never showed emotion.
“How long will we stay married?” she asked quietly.
“One year,” he replied. “As per the contract.”
“And no one can know?”
“No one,” he said firmly. “If word gets out, the deal is off, and so are the terms.”
Sofia looked down at her hands, her engagement ring glinting under the dim car lights. It was a stunning piece—flawless and expensive. But it meant nothing. It was just for show. A piece of jewelry to seal a cold transaction.
Dominic’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “I’ve arranged everything. You’ll move into my penthouse tonight. Your room is separate from mine. You’ll follow the schedule and keep to yourself. No interviews, no media appearances, and absolutely no contact with the press.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“You’ll attend public functions with me only when necessary. If anyone asks, you’re my personal assistant. No one suspects a marriage. Not even my staff.”
“Why me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He looked at her for the first time, eyes sharp and assessing. “Because you were quiet, obedient, and you needed the money. And I needed a solution.”
She felt her stomach twist. “I’m not a gold digger.”
“I didn’t say you were,” he replied coolly. “You were the only one who didn’t throw herself at me. That made you useful.”
The words stung more than she expected. But what had she thought? That he chose her because he liked her? No. She was nothing but a tool to him. An easy solution to a complicated inheritance clause.
His grandfather’s will had been very specific. Dominic had to be married—legally and formally—within the next thirty days in order to receive full control of the Stone fortune. It wasn’t about love or companionship. It was about control.
And Sofia? She had debts. A sick mother. A sister in college. When the opportunity came, she took it—signing a non-disclosure agreement and promising to play the role of a ghost wife in exchange for a future she never thought she’d have.
But now, sitting across from this man, she wasn’t so sure.
The car pulled up to a tall building that seemed to pierce the sky. Glass and steel gleamed in the rain, and Sofia swallowed hard as she stepped out.
The penthouse was everything she imagined—opulent, vast, and cold. Modern design, black marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows. It didn’t feel like a home. It felt like a fortress.
“This is your room,” Dominic said, pointing to a guest suite. “You’ll stay here. Meals will be delivered. If you need anything, call the house manager. Don’t disturb me unless it’s an emergency.”
Sofia stood in the doorway, staring at him. “Do you hate me already?”
His expression flickered. “No. But I don’t have time for complications, Sofia. This isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a contract. Keep your end, and we’ll both walk away satisfied when it’s over.”
Then he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone with only the sound of the rain echoing through the glass walls.
Sofia stepped inside her room, shutting the door softly behind her. She leaned against it, closing her eyes.
Married. To a billionaire. A man who barely knew her name.
Her life had changed in the blink of an eye—and no one could ever know.
- Writer
