The price of silence

Clearly dim

The elevator ride to the Thirty-one floor felt like going into another world.

Christiana watched the number go up, and her heart pounded even louder against her chest.

The door opened. And she was stunned.

The entire floor was Silas's office. Modern art on the walls that probably cost five figures. A receptionist's desk sat empty near the elevator, like even the staff knew to disappear when Silas Langford was conducting business.

He stood by the windows, phone to his ear, outlined against the skyline like some kind of corporate god. He didn't turn when they entered. Just finished his call and pocketed his phone.

When he finally looked at her, those cold gray eyes swept over her in assessment.

His lawyer was already setting up, pulling a document from her leather briefcase. The contract landed on the glass table with a heavy thud.

Christiana sat slowly. "That's the contract?"

"Every detail." Silas took the seat at the head of the table, the lawyer to his right.

She pulled it closer. The first page alone made her head spin. Words like hereinafter and notwithstanding.

"I'll need a few days to..."

"You have two hours." Silas checked his watch. "My driver is waiting downstairs. You sign today or the deal is off."

Christiana's hands tightened on the paper. "Two hours to read three hundred pages?"

"My lawyer will explain the important parts." He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Unless you'd rather walk away."

She wanted to stand up and tell him to shove his contract and his money down his throat.But her father's face flashed in her mind.

"Fine." She said reluctantly.

The lawyer flipped to a marked section. "You'll live at the Langford estate for the full duration of the contract. You'll attend all events, business dinners, charity galas, family functions. You'll present as a devoted, supportive wife at all times."

Christiana's throat tightened. "What if I need to..."

"Any absence requires Mr. Langford's approval." The lawyer's tone was stern. "You'll also sign a non-disclosure agreement. No discussing the arrangement. No questions about Mr. Langford's business. No contact with anyone on this list.".

This was insane.

When they reached the end, Victoria pushed the document toward her. "Any questions?"

A million. But what did it matter? Her father needed treatment. She needed money. This was the only way.

Silas slid a pen across the table. "Sign."

She stared at it.

This was it. The moment everything changed. Once she signed this, she wasn't Christiana Kingston anymore, daughter of an accused criminal. She'd be Christiana Langford. A purchased wife playing a role for two years.

But her father would live. The debts would disappear. And she'd survive this.

She had to believe she'd survive this.

Christiana picked up the pen.

She signed her name, the ink flowing smooth and permanent. Page after page. Initials here. Signature there. Over and over until her hand ached.

When she finished the last page, Silas's hand covered hers on the pen.

His skin was warm.

"You belong to me now," he said quietly. "For two years. Remember that."

She couldn't breathe. Couldn't move.

He released her hand and stood. "The lawyer will file the paperwork. The car is waiting downstairs. Get your things."

The Langford estate sat thirty minutes outside the city, hidden behind iron gates and perfectly manicured hedges that probably required a full-time staff.

The car pulled up a driveway that seemed to go on forever, and the house was so massive it made Christiana breath seize.

It wasn't a house, it was a Mansion. Beautiful in a cold, untouchable way. Like something from a magazine. Like something she had no business stepping foot inside.

The driver opened her door.