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1781 Words
SCARLETT’S POV
“Have you lost your damn mind?”
I stared at the handsome devil standing in front of me.
Eros Devinci smiled as though I had just told him a joke.
“Not yet, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that!”
“Then stop shouting.”
I wanted to slap him again.
How could someone be so arrogant?
He had walked into my home, announced that my father owed him five million dollars, and now he was talking about taking me as payment.
What did he think I was?
A car?
A house?
Something he could buy?
“Listen carefully, Mr. Devinci. I am not for sale.”
His smile widened.
“Everyone has a price.”
“Well, I don’t!”
“Are you sure?”
I clenched my fists.
“Where is my father?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Then release him!”
“Your father owes me money, Scarlett.”
“And I already told you that isn’t my problem!”
Eros reached into his jacket and brought out a folded document.
He placed it on our broken table.
“Your father signed this.”
I looked down.
There was my father’s name.
Harold Hayes.
And beneath it was something that made my stomach twist.
Proposed marriage arrangement between Scarlett Hayes and Eros Devinci.
I stared at the paper.
My father had actually done it.
He had offered me to a stranger.
“No,” I whispered.
Eros watched me quietly.
“Your father proposed the arrangement himself.”
I grabbed the document.
“He had no right!”
“You’re correct.”
I looked up sharply.
“What?”
“He cannot force you to marry me. Only you can sign the marriage agreement.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To make you an offer.”
I laughed bitterly.
“An offer? You mean a threat.”
Eros slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Marry me for one year, Scarlett.”
I froze.
“What?”
“One year. Twelve months. After that, you’re free to leave.”
“And why would I do something so stupid?”
“Because I’ll cancel your father’s five-million-dollar debt.”
My heart skipped.
He continued.
“I’ll also make sure your brother finishes university. His tuition, accommodation, and living expenses will be covered.”
Noah moved beside me.
“Scarlett…”
I raised my hand.
“Don’t.”
Eros looked around our ruined apartment.
“And you won’t have to worry about rent or creditors harassing your family.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
Everything he was offering was something I desperately needed.
But at what cost?
My freedom?
My life?
My future?
I shook my head.
“No.”
Eros raised an eyebrow.
“No?”
“I’m not marrying a stranger because my father is an idiot.”
“Think carefully.”
“I have thought carefully!”
He studied me.
Then I asked the question bothering me most.
“Why me?”
His expression changed slightly.
“What?”
“You’re a billionaire. You could marry a model, an actress, or some rich princess. Why would you want a poor waitress?”
For the first time, he didn’t answer immediately.
His gray eyes remained fixed on my face.
Something strange passed through them.
Something I couldn’t understand.
“I have my reasons,” he finally said.
“What reasons?”
“Personal ones.”
I crossed my arms.
“Are you dying?”
He blinked.
Then he laughed.
A deep, rich laugh that made my stomach do something stupid.
I hated it.
“Do I look like I’m dying, Scarlett?”
“Maybe you’re crazy.”
“Possibly.”
“Or maybe you already have a girlfriend.”
His smile returned.
“Jealous already, little bride?”
My mouth fell open.
“Jealous? Of you?”
“You’re asking about my love life.”
“Because I’m trying to understand what’s wrong with you!”
He stepped closer.
“Nothing you can’t handle.”
Heat rushed into my cheeks.
I hated how close he was standing.
I hated his expensive perfume.
And I especially hated how handsome he looked while annoying me.
“I would rather marry a snake.”
Eros laughed again.
“Careful, sweetheart. The Black Vipers might take that as a compliment.”
“Get out!”
He looked amused.
“Are you throwing me out?”
“Yes!”
He glanced at his men.
Then back at me.
“Very well.”
He picked up the document and placed a business card on the table.
“When you change your mind, call me.”
“I won’t.”
“We’ll see.”
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned.
“Your father will be released tonight. But the debt remains.”
Then he disappeared.
I slammed the door.
“Arrogant bastard!”
Noah looked at me.
“Scarlett…”
“Don’t even say it.”
“But five million dollars…”
I turned toward him.
“Noah, listen to me. I will never marry someone because Dad gambled away our lives.”
He nodded slowly.
I hugged him.
Everything would be fine.
Somehow.
I had to believe that.
The following morning, someone started banging on our door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
I jumped out of bed.
“Who is it?”
“Open the damn door!”
My heart raced.
I looked through the peephole.
Three unfamiliar men stood outside.
One had a scar across his eyebrow.
Another carried a metal baseball bat.
“Scarlett Hayes!” the man shouted. “We know you’re inside!”
I grabbed my phone.
“What do you want?”
“Your father’s money!”
My blood turned cold.
“What money?”
“Two hundred thousand dollars!”
I nearly dropped my phone.
Another debt?
“You have the wrong apartment!”
The man laughed.
“Tell that to Harold Hayes.”
He kicked the door.
Noah rushed out of his room.
“Scarlett?”
I placed a finger against my lips.
The man outside spoke again.
“Your father borrowed from our boss. He promised to pay yesterday.”
“He’s not here!”
“Then his children will pay.”
My stomach twisted.
“Leave us alone!”
“Tell your little brother to be careful on his way to university.”
Noah froze.
The man laughed.
“We know where he studies.”
Then the footsteps faded.
I stood motionless.
They knew Noah’s university.
They knew where we lived.
And they weren’t afraid to threaten us.
I slowly sank onto the sofa.
What was I supposed to do?
Call the police?
I could.
I should.
But those men knew our home, and I was terrified they would hurt Noah before anyone could stop them.
My eyes moved toward the business card on the table.
EROS DEVINCI.
I stared at it for several minutes.
Then I picked up my phone.
“Devinci Holdings. How may I help you?”
“I need to speak with Mr. Devinci.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“Then I’m afraid—”
“Tell him Scarlett Hayes is calling.”
Silence.
“One moment, please.”
A few seconds later, a familiar deep voice answered.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
I closed my eyes.
“I hate you.”
He chuckled.
“Good morning to you too.”
“I need to talk.”
“About marriage?”
“About my conditions.”
His voice became serious.
“I’m listening.”
Two hours later, I stood inside the most expensive office I had ever seen.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Manhattan.
Everything smelled like money.
Eros sat behind a huge desk, looking unfairly handsome in a black suit.
“Sit, Scarlett.”
I sat.
He smiled.
“Coffee?”
“No.”
“Water?”
“No.”
“A kiss?”
I glared at him.
“Do you want me to leave?”
He laughed.
“Fine. Let’s discuss your conditions.”
I took a deep breath.
“First, separate bedrooms.”
“Agreed.”
“Second, I continue working. You don’t control my career.”
“Agreed.”
“Third, no touching, kissing, or anything physical unless I willingly choose it.”
Eros leaned back.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“Agreed.”
I blinked.
That was too easy.
“And you won’t interfere with Noah’s education.”
“Of course.”
“His safety comes first.”
“I’ll arrange protection and help you report the threats.”
I studied him suspiciously.
“Why are you agreeing to everything?”
“Because I want you to sign willingly.”
I swallowed.
“And after one year?”
“You can walk away. The debt stays canceled.”
I looked down at my hands.
“What if I never fall in love with you?”
Eros was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“Who said anything about love?”
My cheeks burned.
“I was just asking!”
“Relax, little bride.”
He leaned forward.
“Although I think you’re underestimating how difficult it will be to resist me.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Your ego needs medical attention.”
He laughed.
For one terrible second, I almost smiled.
Almost.
I stood.
“Have your lawyers prepare the agreement. I want my own lawyer to review it before I sign.”
Eros nodded.
“Fair enough.”
I walked toward the door.
“Scarlett.”
I turned.
His expression was serious.
“Your brother will be safe while you decide. That isn’t conditional on marrying me.”
Something inside my chest softened.
Just a little.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Then I left.
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
But I knew one thing.
Eros Devinci was dangerous.
And I was about to make the biggest decision of my life.
EROS’S POV
I watched Scarlett leave my office.
The moment the door closed, my smile disappeared.
Seven years.
Seven damn years.
I opened the locked drawer beneath my desk.
Inside was an old photograph.
A sixteen-year-old girl stood beside a beautiful woman with warm brown eyes.
The girl was smiling.
Her dark hair fell over her shoulders.
I ran my thumb across her face.
Scarlett Hayes.
She had grown into a beautiful woman.
Stubborn.
Fearless.
Exactly as I remembered.
But she didn’t recognize me.
Not even for a second.
I stared at the photograph.
Then I whispered the words I had kept buried for years.
“Seven years, Scarlett. I’ve waited seven damn years.”
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