Elegant book cover, handsome Oxford professor in tweed jacket holding old poetry book, standing in library with tall bookshelves

Professor Alexander Westwood never raised his voice. He didn't need to. His silence was a command. "Miss Evangeline," he said, closing "Wuthering Heights" with a soft thud. Rain hit the library windows. "Your father’s estate will be seized by the bank on Monday. Five million pounds." My pen fell. "I... I know, Professor." He removed his glasses. For the first time, his grey eyes looked human. Tired. "The university board has made me an offer. Marry me. For one year. In exchange, I clear your father’s debt. No one can know." My heart stopped. "Why? Why me?" "Because, Miss Shaw," he looked at the rain, "you are the only student who understands that some tragedies are necessary." He slid a contract toward me. My name already typed. Evangeline Shaw. "If I refuse?" My voice shook. "Your father goes to prison. Tonight." The clock ticked. My father’s face flashed in my mind. Kind. Broken. I picked up the pen. "And after one year?" "You walk away. With your father's freedom. And you never speak my name again." I signed. The ink felt like blood. He didn't smile. He just took the contract. "Class dismissed, Mrs. Westwood." Mrs. Westwood. I was now the secret wife of the man I feared most. Will she survive 1 year with the cold professor? Comment "NEXT" for Chapter 2 🔥 The secret wedding!