THE HEARTLESS ALPHA

Epi 10 :THE CONTRACT

"Alen, my dear."

She rushed to me and grabbed my hand. Her grip was too tight.

"I know you hate me. I've only ever used you for my own gain. But the truth is, I was trying to prepare you. To make you strong enough to face anything."

I turned my face away. I wasn't expecting kindness from Zooi.

She sobbed. "If I don't help you today, I will never forgive myself."

Dad stood at the door. Silent. Listening to everything.

Zooi pulled papers from her bag and placed them on the table. Her hands were shaking.

For once, it didn't look like an act. Or maybe it was the best performance of her life.

"Look, Alen," she said quietly. "According to this contract, you are willingly marrying Mr. Robert George."

My eyes fell to the paper.

MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Below it: Mr. Robert George - Renowned Businessman

My heart slammed against my ribs. Rage boiled under my skin.

"You've shown me exactly who you are. You are not my mother. A mother would never push her daughter into this."

"You're misunderstanding me. Just listen. I'm not forcing you. The final decision is yours," Zooi said, her voice thick with panic and fake concern.

"Fine. Then tell me. Who is this Mr. Robert?" I asked, my voice cold.

Zooi immediately clutched my hand. "He's the biggest businessman in the city. Incredibly wealthy. Respected. No wife, no children. He's about thirty years older than you. That's all."

Before I could answer, Dad walked in and snatched the papers from the table.

"Businessman? We don't even know these people."

Zooi wiped her tears. "I know his office. My cousin works there. He said Robert saw Alen at a party and wants to marry her."

The word party hit me like ice. Was she talking about Bella's party?

"And what about Reyan?" Zooi's voice turned sharp. "Men like him don't care about a girl's dignity. He'll take you, use you, and throw you away. Then who will marry you after that?"

My cheeks burned. "What are you saying?!"

Zooi held up a hand. "Robert is sending a marriage proposal. With honor. All his wealth, all his property will be in your name. You will live like a queen."

She turned to Dad.

"And you. Your debt will be cleared. Your honor will be saved. You'll be free of Reyan. Think about it. If you go with Reyan, who will ever respect you again?"

Silence filled the room.

Dad's face turned red with shame and helplessness.

"We may be poor, Zooi, but we are not so low that we sell our daughter."

Zooi shrugged and sniffled.

"I'm not selling her. I'm saving her. This contract is fake. Just for two days. To show the law. Then we'll cancel it. Robert only wants the marriage in name. So neither Alen nor we can back out later."

She shoved the contract into my hands.

My name. And below it, Mr. Robert's name.

"Just one signature, Alen. To save your life. To save your father's honor."

It was the first time I had heard the name Robert.

My hands shook. I wanted to tear the paper apart. Every girl dreams of her wedding. I did too. My mother used to say I would be a queen. Was this what she meant? Robert's money?

I thought I would marry someone like a hero.

But girls like us don't get that kind of fate.

I hated Zooi. But I couldn't deny that she wasn't entirely wrong. I had to get away from Reyan. No matter what.

Outside, the darkness was deepening. Inside, the three of us stood at a crossroads. One decision could save us, or destroy us.

---

The room stayed silent.

Only my quiet sobs and Zooi's breathing could be heard.

Then Dad suddenly grabbed the papers and ripped them in half.

"Not for any price," he said. His voice shook with anger. Tears and fury were both in his eyes.

He pointed at Zooi. "I will not marry my daughter off to a stranger. Yes, we're in trouble. Yes, Reyan won't leave us alone. But I have not fallen so low that I trade my daughter."

Zooi immediately started her drama. "Then what do we do? In two days the police will come and take the girl away."

Dad took a deep breath. His hands were trembling.

"I want to meet this Mr. Robert once. I will not make any decision without Alen's permission, even if it costs me my life."

Zooi and I both stared at him.

"Yes," Dad looked at me. His eyes were wet. "I won't decide my daughter's future without meeting the man. If he's truly honorable, then fine. I'll let Alen marry him. He can protect her however he wants. I don't want his money.

But if my daughter isn't happy there, I will get her a divorce. As long as her father is alive, no one will hurt her."

Tears filled my eyes. For the first time, I felt protected. I didn't feel alone.

"But—" Zooi started.

Dad raised a hand to stop her.

"Second, we are not signing any contract. No fake papers."

He sat beside me and stroked my hair. "We just need Mr. Robert to get Reyan off our backs. And a promise that he will take care of my daughter. That's all I want."

I looked at Dad. He looked exhausted and heartbroken. But in his eyes I saw pride.

Somewhere deep inside me, a thought settled.

Maybe this was the only way out of Reyan.

I whispered, "Dad is right."

Zooi's face turned red with anger.

"Fine. Then invite him for dinner tomorrow. We'll talk," Dad said firmly.

Zooi gave a bitter laugh. "Do you really think our house is good enough to invite a rich businessman? It's a two-room house. The furniture is broken."

My blood boiled.

I stood up and looked straight into Zooi's eyes.

"If he wants to marry me, then our poverty and our home shouldn't matter to him. If it does, then I won't marry him."

The room went silent again.

Zooi glared at me, then at Dad, and finally sighed.

"Fine," she hissed. "Tomorrow. 7 PM. I'll invite Mr. Robert for dinner."

Dad closed his eyes, as if praying.

And me?

I went to my room and shut the door.

Fear twisted in my chest. My heart was racing. I never imagined life would take this turn.

Then something strange happened.

James's face appeared in my mind. I shook my head, but he didn't go away. I closed my eyes. It must be my imagination.

Then a voice echoed in my ears.

You are my destiny, Alen. You belong only to James. No one else can take you.

I opened my eyes. No one was there.

---

It had been days since I last came to college.

The moment my black Lamborghini entered the gate, I felt every pointless stare on me.

"James is here. James is here."

Girls followed behind me.

The truth is, I'm the only son of the richest man in the city.

Name, money, power. I have it all. Six feet tall, sharp jawline, and this face.

But today I hated all of it.

My mind was stuck in one place. The image of that street. Alen, crying, falling. Her tears were still in front of me. I hadn't slept all night. That was the only reason I came to college today. Alen.

I went straight to the classroom and sat by the window, staring outside.

Then it started.

"Hi James, need notes?" a girl called from behind. I stayed silent.

Then another voice, "James, want to grab coffee? My dad's resort is free."

"No thanks," I snapped.

ENOUGH.

"GET OUT!" The voice came from the door. I turned.

Bella was standing there, hands on her hips, eyes full of fire. My cousin. Just what I needed.

"Everyone out. This is my seat. And this boy is mine," she shouted.

In two minutes the class was empty.

Bella came in wearing a red dress, a diamond necklace, heavy perfume. I glanced at her once, then looked away. I had zero interest.

She sat right next to me.

"James," she said softly. "You know our marriage was decided when we were kids. Mom and Aunt agreed. Our families will rule the city together."

My jaw clenched. My breathing quickened. But I held back. I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. I was worried about Alen. She still hadn't come. I was waiting for her.

"Bella," I said in an icy tone. "Leave me alone. I'm not in the mood."

She ignored me. Stood up and came closer. Put her hand on my shoulder and leaned in toward my lips.

"James, I love you so—"

My head spun.

SLAM!

I shot to my feet and shoved her back so hard she almost fell.

"Stay in your lane!" I yelled. "I'm not property. And don't ever touch me again."

I was too angry to stay. I walked out.

Bella's face went pale.

Her friend was watching from the door.

Bella wiped her tears and gritted her teeth.

"Fine, James. You may be the richest man in the city, but you will marry me. I'll make sure of it."

---

As I was leaving college, my friend Ayaan grabbed my arm.

"Bro, wait."

I was already on edge. I hadn't slept. All I could think about was Alen.

"What?" I glared at him. "Why are you stopping me? You look terrible."

He said it kindly.

"I'm fine. Just not feeling well," I forced a smile.

"Come on, let's get coffee. It'll help," he offered.

I didn't feel like it, but I went anyway.

Then I saw a poster on the way. Girl For Sale with Alen's photo.

I stopped, stunned. "What is this?"

Ayaan looked around and lowered his voice. "Bro, do you know what happened to Alen at college?"

My heart sank.

"What?"

"Reyan said that Alen and her father sold her to him. He had contract papers. Then he threatened her. Said if she didn't give herself to him, he'd send her father to jail."

Everything went silent.

My fists clenched.

I knew this was Reyan's plan. That's why Alen was on the road like that.

"Where is Reyan?" My voice shook.

"Parking lot. Laughing with his friends."

I don't remember the next moment. All I knew was rage. It didn't even feel like me. I had never done something like this for a girl before.

I ran to the parking lot. Reyan was smoking and laughing with four guys.

"...and then she was crying. Poor girl. It was fun."

THAT WAS IT.

I grabbed him from behind and slammed him against the wall.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT TO ALEN?!" I roared. The whole parking lot shook.

Reyan flailed. "James, let go. Are you crazy?"

"I FORGAVE YOU BEFORE!" I hit him. "When you tried something with her at that party. I warned you. But NOT ANYMORE!"

His friends tried to grab me. I shoved them away.

I was consumed. I would have killed him if I hadn't thought of Alen. I needed to protect her first. From him, and from the police.

I pulled out my phone and called Dad on speaker.

"Dad, listen. Cancel every contract with Reyan Malik's father. Buy their company shares. Wipe out their entire business tonight."

Dad sounded shocked. "Son, what happened—"

"NOW!" I barked.

The moment Reyan heard that, he dropped to my feet.

"James, please. No. I'll be ruined. My dad will kill me. Forgive me."

He was sobbing on the floor.

"Then tell the truth with your own mouth, before I kill you," I spat.