Chapter 2: The Contract
640 Words
Naomi barely slept that night.
The hospital room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the machines beside her father’s bed. She sat in the chair next to him, holding his hand gently.
His face looked pale and tired.
Naomi felt her chest tighten.
“Dad… please stay strong,” she whispered softly.
Her eyes slowly moved to the business card still in her hand.
Alexander King.
CEO, King Enterprises.
Even now it still felt unreal.
A billionaire had offered to save her father’s life… in exchange for marriage.
Naomi closed her eyes for a moment.
She had thought about it the entire night. Every possibility. Every consequence.
But every time she imagined losing her father, the answer became clearer.
By morning, she had already made her decision.
The King Enterprises building was even more intimidating than she expected.
The tall glass tower seemed to touch the clouds. People in expensive suits walked in and out of the building confidently.
Naomi felt small standing in front of it.
She took a deep breath before walking inside.
The lobby was luxurious, with shining floors and a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
The receptionist looked up politely.
“Good morning. How may I help you?”
Naomi hesitated for a moment.
“I… I’m here to see Mr. Alexander King.”
The receptionist looked surprised but quickly checked her computer.
“Your name?”
“Naomi.”
The receptionist nodded.
“Mr. King is expecting you. Please take the elevator to the top floor.”
Naomi’s heart started beating faster.
He was expecting her.
That meant he already knew she would come.
The elevator ride felt endless.
When the doors finally opened, Naomi stepped into a quiet hallway.
A tall assistant was waiting there.
“Miss Naomi?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Mr. King will see you now.”
He opened a large office door.
Inside, the office was huge, with glass walls showing the entire city.
Alexander King stood near the window, looking down at the city below.
He turned when he heard her enter.
His expression remained calm, almost unreadable.
“You came,” he said simply.
Naomi walked forward slowly.
“You said I had until today.”
Alexander studied her carefully.
“Have you made your decision?”
Naomi’s hands trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stay strong.
“My father… will get the surgery immediately?”
“Yes,” Alexander replied without hesitation.
“And after one year,” Naomi continued, “the marriage ends?”
“Correct.”
Alexander walked to his desk and placed a document in front of her.
“The contract.”
Naomi looked down at the thick stack of papers.
It suddenly felt very real.
Alexander’s voice was steady.
“Rule one: This marriage is only for appearance.”
He turned another page.
“Rule two: We live together, but our personal lives remain separate.”
Another page.
“Rule three: After one year, we divorce peacefully.”
Naomi’s heart pounded.
Everything about this situation felt strange… yet simple at the same time.
Alexander placed a pen on the desk.
“If you sign that,” he said quietly, “your father’s surgery will be arranged immediately.”
The room fell silent.
Naomi looked at the contract.
Then she thought about her father lying in the hospital bed.
Slowly… she picked up the pen.
Alexander watched her carefully.
“Once you sign,” he said, “there’s no turning back.”
Naomi took a deep breath.
Then she signed her name.
The moment the pen left the paper, Alexander spoke calmly.
“Congratulations, Naomi.”
His eyes met hers.
“You are now my wife.”
And Naomi suddenly realized something terrifying.
She had just married the most powerful—and coldest—man in the city.
- Writer
