Chapter 2
1163 Words
The grandeur of the Jasdor Corporation building rose before me like a fortress of wealth and power. My heart hammered as I approached the glass doors, each step weighed down by doubt and a burning feeling of weakness. Could this really be the answer to my problems?
A well-dressed receptionist welcomed me with a professional smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Miss Edward, Mr. Ildon is expecting you. Please, follow me.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I followed her through a series of marble-lined halls that smelled slightly of expensive cologne and desire.
When the doors to Jasper Ildon’s office swung open, the sight of him nearly made me stumble. Seated behind a huge wood desk, Jasper was every bit the imposing figure I’d imagined. His sharp cheekbones, intense blue eyes, and perfectly cut suit screamed power. But it was the coldness in his gaze that sent a chill down my spine.
“Miss Edward,” he said, his deep voice empty of feeling. “Sit.”
I sank into the chair opposite him, feeling the weight of his inspection.
“You understand why you’re here,” Jasper started, his tone short and efficient.
“Not entirely,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady.
His lips twitched in what might have been amusement—or contempt. “I’ll make it simple. I need a wife. You need money. A marriage of convenience. One year, and all your troubles disappear.”
His words hit like a blow. Marriage? I stared at him, wondering if I’d heard right.
“Why me?” I managed to ask.
“You fit the profile,” he responded without doubt. “Unattached, no scandals, and—” he paused, his eyes moving over me as if judging goods, “—discreet.”
I wanted to snap back, to tell him I wasn’t some pawn to be bought and sold. But then I thought of my mother, of the eviction notice still crumpled in my bag. Pride wouldn’t pay her hospital bills or keep a roof over our heads.
“And if I refuse?” I asked quietly.
“Then you walk out of here with nothing,” Jasper said, leaning back in his chair. “Your choice.”
The room fell quiet, the weight of his threat pressing down on me. Finally, I nodded, hating myself for the defeat. “I’ll do it.”
His face didn’t change, as if he’d expected no other answer. “Good. We’ll sign the deal tomorrow. Until then, keep this plan to yourself. Understood?”
I nodded again, feeling more like a prisoner than a partner.
The Wedding
The service was a farce, a cold, dead exchange of vows in a private chamber. There were no flowers, no guests, no party. Just Jasper, his lawyer, and me.
He didn’t smile once, not even as we swapped rings. His hand was strong but uncaring as he slid the gold band onto my finger, sealing a contract rather than a union.
As we left the building, the reporters were already crowding, their cameras flashing like a swarm of merciless fireflies. Jasper’s arm wrapped my waist in a practiced move, pulling me close. To the outside world, we might have looked like a happy pair. But the hard grip of his hand told a different story—one of power, not love.
“Smile,” he whispered through clenched teeth. “They’re watching.”
I faked a smile, the effort making my cheeks ache. Inside, I felt hollow, like a puppet dancing on strings pulled by this cold, unfeeling man.
Life in the Mansion
Jasper’s home was a palace of glass and stone, perched high above the city like a monument to his success. But to me, it felt like a golden cage.
Our meetings were minimal. Jasper was either locked in his office or away at meetings. When we did cross paths, his words were sharp and cold, each one a warning of my place in his world.
“Lila,” he said one evening, his tone icy as he looked at the dress I’d chosen for a charity dinner. “You’re not here to embarrass me. Wear something appropriate.”
I bit back the reply rising to my lips, nodding instead. The shame stung, but I told myself that this was temporary—a means to an end.
At the dinner, I felt like a dummy on show. Jasper’s hand on my back was a steady warning to smile, to play the part. The comments around us were nasty, speculative.
“Is that the new Mrs. Ildon?” one woman sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
“She doesn’t look like much,” another joined in.
Jasper heard them—he had to—but he didn’t defend me. He didn’t even recognize the statements.
When we returned home that night, the quiet between us was overwhelming. I finally found the courage to speak. “Do you enjoy humiliating me?”
He turned to me, his blue eyes cold and unwavering. “Don’t mistake this for something it’s not, Lila. You’re here to serve a reason, not to expect kindness.”
His words cut deeper than I expected, leaving me gasping for air as he walked away without another look.
Days turned into weeks, each one more awful than the last. I found solace in the quiet moments alone, sitting by the grand piano in the living room, letting the music drown out my sadness.
One night, as I played a sad tune, Jasper appeared in the doorway, his presence like a ghost.
“You play well,” he said, his voice softer than usual.
Startled, I stopped mid-note, unsure how to react. Was this a crack in his icy exterior?
But before I could speak, his phone buzzed, and his face hardened once more. He answered, his tone curt. “I’ll handle it.”
Without another word, he left, leaving me to wonder if I’d dreamed the brief moment of humanity.
Later that night, as I lay in bed, I heard voices coming from Jasper’s office. I crept closer, putting my ear to the door.
“She’s a liability,” a woman’s voice hissed.
“I know how to deal with her,” Jasper answered coldly.
My blood ran cold. Were they talking about me?
The door suddenly swung open, and I stumbled backward, coming face-to-face with Jasper. His face was unreadable, but the tightness in his jaw spoke volumes.
“You shouldn’t eavesdrop,” he said, his voice dangerously low.
“Are you planning to get rid of me?” I demanded, my voice shaking.
His quiet was startling, and the look in his eyes was enough to make me run.
I locked myself in my room, my mind running with fear and betrayal. Was I just a pawn to be dumped when no longer useful? Or was there something more evil at play?
- Writer
