Billionaire's Hidden Vows

chapter 4

THE CONTRACT BRIDE

The morning sun peeked weakly through thick drapes, but Emilia felt no warmth. Everything seemed cloaked in darkness ever since Adrian Cross had entered her life and refused to leave. Her father was sitting opposite her, slouched in the library chair, his face pallid and his eyes haunted. Papers littered the mahogany desk, including debt statements printed in bloody red ink, foreclosure warnings, and official documents. She had tried to stealthily gather them to spare him the humiliation, but every page revealed the truth. Hart Industries was finished. Unless she gave in. unless she was his. Her father's voice broke the silence. He's offering you salvation, Emilia. His fingers trembled as he rubbed his temples. The numbers were in plain sight. She clenched her jaw. He is not attempting to save you. He's selling me, and he's buying us. There was pain and resignation in her father's eyes. Do you believe I want this? To offer my daughter as security? His voice wavered. But if I and Emilia, say no, thousands of workers will lose their jobs. Families will be left without food. We will be annihilated. The guilt pierced her like a knife. She thought about the people who had worked for the company since before she was even born, the people whose jobs were dependent on her father's factories. But could she sacrifice her life for theirs? Before she could answer, she heard the thunder of engines outside. Under the tires, gravel crunched. The doors slammed. Her father's face was filled with fear as he froze. Emilia rose and approached the window. Black cars, sleek, expensive, and menacing, lined the driveway. From the firlored pages secured with a golden clasp. The contract. Adrian made a casual gesture, like he was displaying a menu from a restaurant. A simple contract. I am marrying Emilia Hart, effective immediately. In return, Hart Industries' debts are assumed by Cross Enterprises. Your assets are safe, your employees are protected, and your legacy is maintained. Her father took a deep breath and stared at the paper as though it would bite him. Emilia forced herself to speak, but her tone was harsher than she intended. You mean you exchanged your freedom for mine? That half-smile of anger formed in Adrian's mouth. Emilia, freedom is a relative concept. You would still have the freedom to live a comfortable and opulent life as my wife. Do you also think it's preferable to seeing everything burn? She looked at him with inexplicable emotion mixed with anger. You give me the impression that I should thank you. His eyes gleamed. You should. Her father shuffled and wrung his hands. Emilia, no! She whirled around on him, her voice defiant and painful. I'm not going to do this for you. Her father struggled, torn between desperation and love for his daughter. But desperation won out. His voice cracked. If you don't, we'll lose everything. I lose everything. The words sliced through her. Her father's pleading eyes were too deep for Adrian's threats to ever reach. Adrian's eyes grew softer, but not in a nice way. Instead, they became more piercing, like a hunter praising a captured animal. He took a step toward her and lowered his voice to her level. Emilia, sign this contract. Keep them safe. Or decline His breath ignited her skin as his mouth came close to her ear. ...and see how I ruin you all. Her heart was beating so hard that she was afraid it might explode. Every instinct begged to resist, to run, and to fight. Her body, however, betrayed her, trembling with dangerous, unquestionable awareness in addition to anger. Her palm slammed into his chest as she pushed him away. His smirk grew as his muscles hardly moved under the force. This is strength, do you think? She spit. Are you forcing a woman to marry you? He caught her wrist before she could get away, his grip firm but not harsh. No. This cannot be avoided. You can fight me all you want, Emilia. But ultimately... His thumb brushed her pulse slowly and deliberately. You'll sign. She yanked free, breath ragged, eyes burning. The contract lay on the desk between them like a silent executioner. Her father's voice cracked again. Please, Emilia... She couldn't look at him. I couldn't look at Adrian. The room closed in around her, the weight of choice choking her.

She glanced at the papers below. She imagined her signature there, binding her life to Adrian Cross's cold purpose. She imagined herself in his world, confined in a luxurious cage with all of her movements controlled. But she also imagined what might happen if factories closed, families were destroyed, and her father's reputation was damaged. And she realized that there was simply no other choice. Her hand trembled as she picked up the pen. Adrian silently watched, triumphant. She stared at the line where her name should have been. The ink shimmered, ready to trap her forever. Then she slapped the pen down. No. The word echoed like thunder. Her father gasped. Adrian's eyes squinted and his smile dimmed. I won't be your pawn, she said in a voice that was trembling but determined. For you or anyone else, I will not sign my soul away. Adrian said nothing at all. Then, gradually, his face changed, not to anger, but to something sinister. Something more hazardous. You just made this interesting, he muttered. Her stomach rumbled. He leaned down until his face was inches from hers and spoke in a low vow. You think you can get away from me? Fight me? Emilia, this game won't be over until I win. And once I've done that... He looked into her eyes with ruthless assurance. I'll plead with you to be mine. She experienced a chill that was a mixture of fear and something far darker. Adrian straightened up and instructed his assistants to pack the contract. He gave her father a cold look. You have the entire 48 hours. After that, Hart Industries will fail. He pivoted on his heel and strode out as swiftly as he had entered. With one last reverberating thump, the doors closed behind him. The taste of horror and defiance pierced Emilia's tongue as she stood still, her pulse pounding. He had been rejected by her. But the battle was just beginning.