HIS CONTRACT HER HEART

Emma Carter knew she was in trouble the moment the landlord stopped knocking. He had been banging on her door every morning for the past two weeks, demanding the rent she couldn't pay. That morning, there was nothing. No shouting. No angry footsteps outside her apartment. Just silence. Emma stood in the middle of her tiny living room, staring at the envelope that had been pushed beneath her door. She already knew what was inside. She picked it up anyway. FINAL NOTICE. Her stomach dropped. She sank onto the worn sofa and rubbed her forehead. “Okay,” she whispered. “Think.” Her phone vibrated on the table. Emma grabbed it quickly. For one second, hope rose in her chest. Then it disappeared. Unknown Number. She answered. “Hello?” Nothing. “Hello?” A man's breathing came through the phone. Then the call ended. Emma stared at the screen. A cold feeling moved down her spine. She told herself it was nothing. She had enough problems without imagining new ones. Her freelance design work had dried up over the past month. The little money she had saved was almost gone, and yesterday her bank account had been nearly emptied after an unexpected medical bill for her aunt. She had called three clients that morning. Nobody had replied. She had one week before she had to leave the apartment. And she had no idea where she was going. Emma stood and walked toward the window. Manhattan was alive below her. Cars moved through the streets. People hurried to work. Expensive buildings reflected the afternoon sun. Everyone seemed to know where they were going. Everyone except her. Her phone vibrated again. This time, it was her best friend, Lily. Lily: Emma, I'm sorry. I can't help you with the rent. Emma stared at the message. She typed a reply. It's okay. Don't worry about it. She deleted it. Typed again. I understand. Deleted that too. Finally, she put the phone down. She wasn't going to beg. She had spent her entire life learning how to survive without asking anyone for help. She could do it again. At least, that's what she told herself. Three hours later, Emma left her apartment for a job interview. She wore the best black dress she owned and carried a folder containing her portfolio. The company was located in one of the most expensive buildings in Manhattan. She reached the lobby five minutes early. A receptionist looked at her. “Name?” “Emma Carter. I'm here for an interview with the creative department.” The receptionist typed something into the computer. Her expression changed. “I'm sorry. The interview has been cancelled.” Emma blinked. “Cancelled?” “Yes.” “Did they reschedule?” “No.” “May I ask why?” The receptionist gave her an uncomfortable smile. “They didn't give a reason.” Emma nodded slowly. “Of course.” She turned away. Another rejection. She was beginning to get used to them. Outside the building, she stopped on the sidewalk. A black SUV was parked across the street. Its windows were tinted. Emma barely noticed it. Until the driver's door opened. A man stepped out. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. Black suit. He didn't look like someone who waited for people. He looked like someone people waited for. His eyes found hers almost immediately. Emma frowned. The man crossed the street. She instinctively stepped backward. “Emma Carter?” Her heart skipped. “How do you know my name?” He stopped in front of her. “I'm Alexander Blackwood.” Emma's expression changed. Everyone in Manhattan knew that name. Blackwood Enterprises. One of the largest private companies in the country. Alexander Blackwood was the youngest CEO the business had ever had. He was also famous for being nearly impossible to approach. Emma looked at him suspiciously. “What do you want?” “I have a proposition for you.” “I don't know you.” “You don't need to.” “That sounds reassuring.” Something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes. Almost. “Five hundred thousand dollars.” Emma went completely still. “What?” “I'll pay you five hundred thousand dollars.” She stared at him. “For what?” “Marrying me.” For a moment, Emma thought she had heard him wrong. Then she laughed. A short, nervous laugh. “You're serious?” “Yes.” “You walked across the street to offer a complete stranger half a million dollars to marry you?” “Yes.” Emma looked around. Maybe someone was filming her. Maybe this was some ridiculous prank. Alexander remained perfectly calm. “Why me?” “Because you're suitable.” “That is the strangest compliment I've ever received.” He ignored that. “I need a wife.” “Then find one.” “I don't want a real marriage.” Emma folded her arms. “So you want a fake one?” “A legal marriage with an agreement between both parties.” “And why would a billionaire need a fake wife?” Alexander's jaw tightened. “Because my family has decided that my personal life is their business.” Emma raised an eyebrow. “That still doesn't explain five hundred thousand dollars.” “No,” he said. “It doesn't.” For the first time, she noticed something different about him. He wasn't just cold. He was hiding something. Alexander reached into his jacket and handed her a black folder. Emma hesitated before taking it. Inside was a contract. Her eyes moved over the first page. TEMPORARY MARRIAGE AGREEMENT. Twelve months. Five hundred thousand dollars. Separate bedrooms. No interference in personal affairs. Public appearances when required. Complete confidentiality. And one final condition. Emma read it twice. Neither party shall develop romantic feelings for the other. She looked up. “You actually wrote that?” “Yes.” “That's impossible.” “What is?” “Controlling how someone feels.” Alexander's gaze held hers. “Then don't fall in love with me.” Emma almost laughed. “You really are arrogant.” “I've been called worse.” She closed the folder. “I'm not doing this.” She turned to leave. “Your apartment.” Emma stopped. Her blood ran cold. Slowly, she turned around. Alexander was still standing there. “What about my apartment?” “I know you're behind on your rent.” Her face hardened. “How?” “I know about your financial situation.” “You investigated me?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I don't make offers without knowing who I'm making them to.” Emma walked closer. “You don't get to dig into my life and then show up offering me money.” “No.” His voice was quieter now. “But I can offer you a way out.” She stared at him. Alexander continued. “You're about to lose your apartment. Your work isn't stable. You have responsibilities you can't afford.” Emma's hands curled into fists. He was right. And she hated him for knowing it. “You've planned this carefully.” “I had to.” “Why?” Silence. Alexander looked toward the road before returning his attention to her. “Because I need a wife before Friday.” Emma frowned. “Why Friday?” His expression hardened. “Because that's when my family decides whether I remain CEO.” That answer should have been enough. But something about his eyes told her there was more. Much more. Emma looked down at the contract again. Five hundred thousand dollars. A year. One marriage. No love. She could survive that. Couldn't she? Then her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. It was her aunt Claire. Emma answered immediately. “Aunt Claire?” There was silence on the other end. Then Claire whispered, “Emma, where are you?” “I'm outside. Why?” “Listen to me carefully.” Her aunt's voice trembled. “Don't trust anyone who comes looking for you.” Emma's heart began pounding. “What happened?” “I don't have time to explain.” “Aunt Claire—” “Especially don't trust—” The call suddenly went dead. Emma stared at her phone. “Aunt Claire?” Nothing. She called again. No answer. Alexander watched her carefully. “What happened?” Emma looked at him. For the first time, his offer didn't seem like the strangest thing that had happened that day. She looked down at the marriage contract. Then at Alexander. “Your offer…” “Yes?” “I need to know one thing.” “What?” “Why do I have a feeling you already knew something was going to happen to me?” Alexander's face became unreadable. He didn't answer. And that silence was enough. Emma slowly opened the folder again. Maybe marrying Alexander Blackwood wasn't the safest decision. But suddenly, walking away from him didn't feel safe either.