The gold-digger's masterpiece

Chapter 7. Trapped forever

The press hovered around like vultures, their cameras eager for a scandal that could bring down an empire.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I started, my voice a little shaky but clear. "There’s something important you should know about my relationship with Roman Claudius—"

Before I could finish, a warm, large hand gently covered mine, stopping the microphone with a soft thud. Roman was shielding me from the cameras, his face holding a look of carefully practiced, charming concern.

"My apologies," Roman said smoothly, addressing the crowd. "My fiancée is feeling a bit overwhelmed by the excitement of tonight. It’s been a long evening for both of us. She’s already feeling tired."

Fiancée?. How?. Without my knowledge?.

The grip on my arm was firm. He didn't just lead me away; he guided me through the crowd like someone being escorted to a cell, his smile never faltering for the cameras even as his fingers pressed into my skin.

"Don't cause a scene, Eva," he whispered through clenched teeth as we reached the elevator. "You’re playing with fire, and only you’ll get hurt."

"I don't care about getting burned," I hissed back, shaking off his hand as the doors closed with a hiss. "I want Leo. You promised me he’d be safe, that he’d be free."

He adjusted his cufflinks, his expression turning cold.

"And he is. But your cooperation is the price for his safety. Remember that."

The ride back to the Claudius estate was silent and heavy with unspoken words. Once inside the marble foyer, I didn't wait for him to take off his coat. I turned to face him, my gown trailing behind me like a flag of surrender.

"I want to see him, Roman. Now. I need to know he’s okay, and that your men haven't hurt him."

Roman sighed, looking uninterested. He pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped a few times, then handed it to me.

"Five minutes. Don't waste them on tears."

The screen flickered on. My heart pounded as Leo’s face appeared. He was in a clean room, sitting on a bed. He looked pale, tired, but unharmed.

"Eva?" Leo whispered, leaning closer to the camera. "Eva, are you okay? Are you alone?"

"I’m fine, Leo," I managed through a choked sob. "I’m safe. I’ll be with you soon. Just hold on a little longer. The thirty days are almost up."

"I miss you," he said softly, voice cracking. "I don't like this, Eva. I don't like what he’s doing to you."

"It’s almost over," I promised, glancing at Roman, who watched us with a look I couldn’t read. "I love you."

Roman quickly took back the phone before Leo could reply.

"That’s enough. He’s safe. Now, go inside. We have another event soon."

The last three weeks felt like a blur of champagne, cameras, and the weight of fake smiles. I was Roman’s perfect display. I attended high-profile events with him, endured long charity dinners, and wore diamonds that felt more like chains.

To the world, I seemed lucky—the most fortunate woman in the city. But inside, I was counting down the seconds to my freedom.

Finally, day 30 arrived.

I woke up feeling lighter than I had in a month. I packed my small suitcase—the only thing I had brought with me. I didn't want a single piece of the luxury Roman had forced on me.

I found Roman in his study, sitting behind his desk, reading a report with a glass of scotch beside him.

"The thirty days are over," I said firmly. "I’m leaving, Roman."

Roman didn't look up.

"There’s a family brunch at the manor this afternoon. My family expects you there."

"I don't care what your family expects," I snapped. "The contract was for thirty days. Thirty days of pretending to be your fiancée for the press. I’ve done my part. I’m done."

Roman finally looked at me with a slow, chilling smile that sent a shiver down my spine—a look of predatory satisfaction. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a leather-bound folder, tossing it onto the desk. It slid smoothly across the polished wood and stopped right in front of me.

"Read it again, Eva. Carefully this time."

My brow furrowed as I opened the folder to the final page, the one bearing my signature. My eyes quickly scanned past the bold print I’d scrutinized a hundred times and landed on a tiny, almost microscopic paragraph tucked beneath the notary seal:

Section 14-B: Termination and Extension.

The initial thirty-day term is a probationary period. After that period ends, the 'Service Provider' (Eva June) agrees to an automatic, irrevocable conversion of terms. The contract will stay in effect forever, or until the 'Employer' (Roman Claudius) considers the public image requirements met. Any attempt to break this lifetime clause will result in the immediate loss of all third-party protections.

The room started to spin. The words blurred into a jagged line of black ink. In perpetuity. Lifetime.

"No," I whispered, trembling as the paper shook in my hands. "No, this isn't possible. You said thirty days! You lied to me!"

"I didn't lie," Roman said, standing up and walking around the desk. He stopped just inches from me, his presence overwhelming. "I simply played the game better than you. You were so desperate to save the precious Leo that you didn't notice the fine print. You signed it, Eva. I didn't force your signature. You now belong to the Claudius name. Forever."

"I’ll sue you," I yelled, throwing the folder at his chest. "I’ll tell everyone! I’ll go to the police!"

"With what influence?" He stepped closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous, low tone. "The world sees a woman who just signed a lifetime commitment to one of the most powerful men in the country. If you protest further, Leo goes back to the hole I found him in. That's if I want him alive. You stay, you smile, and you keep your beloved Leo safe. It’s a simple choice."

"I won't do it," I snapped, desperation catching in my throat. "I’d rather end it all than let you own me forever. I mean it, Roman. I have nothing left to lose."

I quickly turned and ran to my room, locking the door behind me.

I stayed in that room for two days. I refused the trays of gourmet food the maids brought. I refused to answer the door when Roman knocked. I sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling estate that had become my gilded cage. I was like a bird with clipped wings, trapped by a signature I had given out of love. Manipulated by a man built on deceit and shielded in cruelty.

On the third night, my hunger was overshadowed by a desperate need to hear Leo’s voice. I used the hidden burner phone I managed to keep and dialed his number.

"Eva?" Leo’s voice was frantic. "I haven't heard from you in days. You said you were coming home two days ago. Where are you?"

I let out a broken sob, the sound echoing in the cold, dark room.

"Leo... he trapped me. He hid a clause in the contract. A lifetime clause."

​There was a long, heavy silence on the other end. Then, I heard the sound of a grown man breaking. Leo’s muffled cries tore through me, each one a dagger in my heart.

"It’s my fault," he gasped. "Because of me, you’re a slave. Eva, I’m so sorry... I’ll find a way to get you out. I’ll kill him myself if I have to—"

​"No!" I interrupted, trying to steady my voice for his sake. "Leo, listen to me. You have to stay calm. If you do anything, he’ll hurt you, and then all of this will be for nothing. We have to be smart. He thinks he’s won because he has all it takes to silence our voices."

​"Of course, he has won, Eva," Leo wept. "He’s going to keep you there forever just to show you off like a trophy. Just because he wants to frustrate and ruin my life completely"

​"He wants a fake smile for the media?" I looked at my reflection in the vanity mirror. My eyes were red, my skin sallow, but a spark of pure, unadulterated rage began to flicker in my soul. "Fine. I’ll give him the best performance of my life. But Roman Claudius has no idea who he just invited into his home permanently."

​I hung up the phone and walked to the door, unlocking it. I walked down the hall to Roman’s sitting room. I didn't knock. I pushed the door open to find him sitting by the fireplace, a cigarette in his hand.

​He looked up, surprised by my sudden appearance.

"Decided to join the living, have we?" he teased.

​I walked toward him, my steps purposeful. I stopped right in front of him, looking down into those cold, blue eyes.

​"I’ll stay,” I said, my voice as hard as stone.

​Roman smirked, reaching out to touch my cheek. "I knew you were a fast learner."

​I leaned down, whispering into his ear so he could feel the coldness of my breath.

"But remember this, Roman. You bought my life, but you didn't buy my soul. And a man who sleeps next to his enemy should never close both eyes."

​Roman’s smirk faded slightly, but before he could respond, the heavy double doors of the sitting room didn’t just open; they retreated as if intimidated by the three women who marched into the room.

The conversation between Roman and me —a jagged exchange of threats and broken promises—snapped shut like a book.