Chapter Three — A Dangerous Arrangement
1086 Words
Victoria stared at the marriage contract, unable to believe what she had just done.
Her signature was still fresh on the final page.
She had actually agreed to marry Alexander Blackwood.
For one year.
In secret.
The thought made her stomach twist.
Across the room, Evelyn stood completely still. Her beautiful face had lost all its color.
“You married her?” she asked Alexander.
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Victoria looked at him. “I think you should explain something to your fiancée.”
Evelyn's eyes snapped toward her.
“She isn't my fiancée.”
The words came from Alexander.
Victoria frowned.
“What?”
Evelyn looked equally shocked.
“You said we were getting married.”
“I said I was considering it.”
“You promised me.”
Alexander's expression hardened.
“I changed my mind.”
Evelyn stared at him as if he had slapped her.
Victoria suddenly felt as though she had walked into the middle of a war that had nothing to do with her.
She picked up her handbag.
“I've had enough for tonight.”
Alexander stepped toward her.
“Victoria.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“We need to discuss the arrangement.”
“What arrangement?”
“Our marriage.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You mean the ridiculous contract I just signed because you threatened me with my family's past?”
“I didn't threaten you.”
“You made it very clear that you could expose my father.”
“I told you the truth.”
“Your truth.”
Alexander studied her face.
“You don't trust me.”
“Should I?”
For a moment, something softened in his eyes.
“No.”
Victoria hadn't expected that answer.
Alexander continued quietly, “Not yet.”
The honesty caught her off guard.
He walked toward the table and picked up a second envelope.
“This contains everything you need to know about the arrangement.”
Victoria took it reluctantly.
“You'll have your own room,” he said. “You can continue working. You can keep your friends and your personal life. Nothing changes except your public status.”
“And the money?”
“You'll receive the first payment tomorrow.”
Victoria looked at him.
“I don't want your money.”
“You agreed to five million dollars.”
“I agreed because you dragged my family into this.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“You'll understand why eventually.”
Victoria turned toward the door.
“I hope you're right.”
She walked away.
But before she could reach the hallway, Alexander spoke again.
“There is one more rule.”
Victoria turned.
“What?”
“Never speak to my father about the marriage.”
She froze.
“Your father?”
Alexander nodded.
“He believes you're connected to something that happened fifteen years ago.”
Victoria's heart began pounding.
“My father?”
“No.”
Alexander's eyes darkened.
“Your mother.”
Victoria couldn't breathe.
Her mother had died when Victoria was sixteen.
For years, Victoria had believed her death was a tragic accident.
“What does my mother have to do with your family?”
Alexander didn't answer.
Instead, he said, “That's what I'm trying to find out.”
Victoria left the mansion that night with more questions than answers.
---
The following morning, Victoria woke to a message from Alexander.
Driver will pick you up at nine.
She stared at it.
She typed a response.
I can drive myself.
His reply came almost immediately.
You're my wife now. The press will be watching.
Victoria frowned.
She hadn't even remembered that part.
She looked outside her apartment window.
A black SUV was already parked across the street.
“You've got to be kidding me.”
At nine, she reluctantly walked downstairs.
The driver opened the door.
Victoria entered the vehicle and found Alexander sitting inside.
She stopped.
“You're coming?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because we're going shopping.”
“Shopping?”
“For your wedding ring.”
Victoria stared at him.
“We're already married.”
“Legally.”
He looked at her calmly.
“We need to make the world believe it.”
The vehicle pulled away.
For the first time, Victoria noticed how close Alexander was sitting.
She could smell his cologne—subtle, expensive, and distracting.
She looked out the window.
“So what's the plan?”
“Tonight, you'll attend a family dinner with me.”
Victoria's stomach tightened.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“And everyone will know?”
“Everyone important.”
She turned toward him.
“And what happens if they don't like me?”
Alexander's lips curved slightly.
“They won't.”
“That doesn't sound reassuring.”
“It wasn't meant to be.”
Victoria rolled her eyes.
“You're unbelievably arrogant.”
“I've been told.”
“Frequently, I'm sure.”
This time, Alexander actually smiled.
It was brief, but it changed his entire face.
Victoria looked away quickly.
She didn't like the feeling that smile gave her.
For the first time, she wondered whether the cold billionaire everyone feared was hiding something softer underneath.
But she reminded herself of the contract.
This wasn't love.
It was an arrangement.
Nothing more.
---
That evening, Victoria stood in front of the mirror in her new suite at the Blackwood Estate.
Alexander had insisted she stay at the mansion for the duration of their arrangement.
She wore a long black dress that fit perfectly, her hair falling softly over her shoulders.
When she entered the dining room, the conversation stopped.
Several members of the Blackwood family stared at her.
Alexander walked beside her.
His hand rested lightly against her back.
“Everyone,” he said calmly, “this is my wife, Victoria.”
Victoria felt every eye in the room.
Then an older man at the head of the table slowly stood.
Alexander's father.
His eyes landed on Victoria.
The man's face changed instantly.
He looked terrified.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
He whispered something Victoria could barely hear.
“Impossible.”
Victoria frowned.
“What?”
The older man stepped closer.
His eyes remained fixed on her face.
Then he said,
“You look exactly like your mother.”
Alexander's expression changed.
Victoria's heart stopped.
Her mother.
The room suddenly felt unbearably silent.
And then Alexander's father whispered the words that changed everything.
“Your mother wasn't killed in an accident.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD