Episode 4- Contract Signed In Gold
639 Words
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing a penthouse that screamed quiet wealth.
Glass walls overlooked the glowing city skyline, chandeliers shimmered like stars, and every surface gleamed with order and control — just like the man who stood beside her.
Alexander Steele didn’t hesitate. He loosened his tie slightly, his voice calm, commanding.
> “Bring the contract.”
A maid appeared almost instantly, holding a sleek black folder and a golden pen. She placed them on the marble counter, bowed slightly, and slipped away as silently as she had come.
Clara’s gaze lingered on the pen — gold, heavy, intimidating.
Her fingers twitched. This wasn’t a dream.
Alexander leaned against the counter, one hand in his pocket, his gaze locked on her.
> “Sign here.”
His tone was casual, but there was something beneath it — a quiet power that made her throat tighten.
Clara hesitated, her pulse pounding in her ears.
The words on the page blurred.
Marriage.
To a man she had met less than two hours ago.
Her hands trembled as she thought of Ethan’s voice — cruel, mocking, final.
> “No one will ever want you. You’ll never find someone better.”
The memory burned through her chest like acid.
Her eyes glistened, but she refused to cry again — not here, not in front of him.
She looked up, taking in the sight of Alexander — the calm authority in his posture, the ruthless edge in his eyes, the effortless luxury that surrounded him.
Maybe this wasn’t love.
Maybe it was something colder.
But maybe — just maybe — it was her escape.
She whispered to herself, Even if he never loves me… his power will protect me. At least then, no one will humiliate me again.
With a shaky breath, Clara picked up the pen.
The golden tip hovered over the paper for a long moment before she pressed it down and signed her name — Clara Hart.
Alexander’s expression didn’t change. He simply took the papers, glanced at her signature, and said quietly:
> “Good. We leave now.”
His voice gave nothing away. But behind his unreadable eyes, something flickered — a memory, a spark, a strange relief.
He had finally found her — the woman who once saved his life.
But before he gave her his heart, he needed to know if she was still the same girl… or just another liar drawn to his name.
Minutes later, they stood side by side at the marriage bureau.
The fluorescent lights hummed softly as the clerk stamped the final page and handed over the marriage certificate.
> “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Steele.”
The words rang in her ears, distant and unreal.
Clara stared down at the paper in her hands — her name bound to his in red ink.
The seal glowed faintly beneath the light, almost mocking her.
Outside, the evening air was crisp.
The city glimmered below, alive and merciless.
Clara tilted her head back, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
> “Oh, Clara,” she whispered under her breath. “You are truly unpredictable. You met a stranger today and married him the same day. What a fool you are.”
Alexander turned slightly, his sharp eyes catching the moonlight.
> “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
His tone was even — but his gaze searched her, as if trying to read every thought she dared not speak.
Clara turned toward him and gave him a charming, practiced smile — the kind that could hide an entire storm.
> “Nothing,” she said softly.
But inside, her thoughts whispered like a curse.
> You messed up, Clara. You’ve traded heartbreak for chains made of gold. And this time, there’s no escape.
- Writer
