🌸signed for his name🌺

The contract

Lola’s hand was shaking too hard to hold the pen steady.

Elijah Sterling did not move. He stood by the window of his office on the top floor, looking out at the city below like he owned every building. Maybe he did.

Seven days. Seven million. One signature.

Her father’s face flashed in her mind. Pale on the hospital bed. The beeping machines. The doctor’s words from that morning: "Without the next surgery, we can’t keep him."

She signed.

Lola Adeyemi.

The ink looked black against the white paper. Final. Permanent. There was no going back now.

“Good,” Elijah said. His voice was low and had no warmth in it. “Mrs. Cole will handle the payment to the hospital today. The full amount.”

Lola let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Thank you.”

He turned around then. Dark suit. Dark eyes. Tall. He looked at her like she was a contract, not a person.

“The wedding is in 48 hours,” he said.

Lola blinked. “48 hours? That’s too fast.”

“It’s a business arrangement, Miss Adeyemi. Not a love story. The sooner it’s done, the sooner my board stops asking questions. They think a married CEO is more stable.”

He walked to his desk and picked up a thick black folder. He slid it across to her.

“Read it,” he said.

Inside were 12 pages. Each page had rules.

Clause 1: The marriage will last for six months. No extensions.

Clause 2: You will attend all company functions and public appearances as my wife.

Clause 3: You will move into my residence immediately. Separate bedrooms.

Clause 4: No dating other people during the contract.

Clause 5: No questions about my business or personal life.

Clause 6: No feelings. This is temporary. After six months, we divorce. Clean. No strings. No claims.

Lola’s throat went dry. “Separate bedrooms?”

“That was not negotiable,” Elijah said. “I need a wife for show. I do not need complications.”

Complications. Was that what she was to him?

“And what do I get besides the money?” Lola asked quietly.

“My protection. My name. And after six months, you walk away with ten million and no debt.”

Before she could answer, there was a knock. The door opened and Mrs. Cole, his assistant, walked in with a tablet.

“Sir, the press release is ready. CEO to marry in private ceremony this weekend. The media will announce it tonight.”

Elijah nodded. “Send it.”

Then he looked at Lola.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Sterling. Pack one bag. You’re moving into my house tonight.”

Lola felt the floor drop under her feet.

She came here to save her father.

She signed the papers to do it.

She did not expect to lose her freedom tonight.

As she walked out of the tower, her phone buzzed. A message from the hospital.

Payment received. Your father’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.

Lola stared at the message. Relief and fear mixed in her chest.

She saved him.

But at what cost?

Tonight, she would sleep in the house of the most powerful and coldest man in the city.

As his wife.