Chapter1
1404 Words
The writing pen sat like a verdict .
It lay on the polished glass table between them, black and sleek, its sliver tip reflecting on the light from the ceiling like a war blade . She stared at it for long, way too long , as if it had a mind of its own , as if it might definitely refuse her the way her body wanted to .
Across her, he waited .
Not patiently .
Not kindly .
He sat calmly in his chair, one arm holding a glass of vodka , the other relaxed against the table, fingers loose , unhurried , like time itself waited around him . He was looking past her, through the floor to ceiling windows of the boardroom, at the city beneath them like something he owned .
Which he did .
The city .
The building .
This moment .
Her throat burned .
“Miss Hale .”
She flinched at the sound of the lawyer’s voice and immediately disliked herself for it . The movement was small , deniably noticeable , but she felt it all the same , heat creeping up her neck as if she’d been caught in an aborminal act .
“Yes ,” she said quickly . Too quickly .
The lawyer adjusted his glasses and gestures to the thick document in front of her . Page after page . Legal information stacked like walls she didn’t know how to climb .
“This contract outlines the terms of the marriage ,” he said , professionally neutral . “Once signed , it becomes legally binded and irrevocable for the agreed period of time .”
Marriage .
The word felt unreal . Not wrong , just distant , like it belonged to someone else’s life .
She swallowed . “I , I understand .”
Which was a lie , she didn't .
She understood only one thing : if she didn’t sign , everything would fall apart .
Her aunt’s house .
The loans .
The threats disguised as polite letters .
The quiet warning delivered over the phone last night : There will be consequences .
She forcefully looks down at the document again .
MARITAL AGREEMENT
The letters blurred .
She had skimmed it earlier , too fast , too afraid , but certain phrases had imprinted themselves into her mind .
Non disclosure .
Public obligation .
Private separate quarters .
Period : 5 years .
Five years .
Her chest tightened .
“You may take your time ,” the lawyer said , he didn't mean it and she knew . Time was a courtesy afforded to people with options .
She had none .
Her gaze shifted , aimlessly , to the man sitted across from her .
Mr . Blackwood .
No , Vincent Blackwood .
His name alone carried an aura . She’d felt it long before she stepped into this room , felt it in the way people tremble when they spoke of him , in the way her aunt had gone pale when the proposal arrived .
He was younger than she’d expected . Early thirties , she thought . Dark suit tailored perfectly to his physique , crisp black shirt , no tie . His hair , neatly styled , dark and precise , his jaw sharp enough to look unwilling .
Power sat on him effortlessly . Not loud . Rather commending .
Absolute .
He slightly turned he's head then , as if sensing her presence , and for the first time , he's eyes met her .
Gray . Cool . Assessing . Empty of something that resembled curiosity or warmth .
She felt stripped bare under that look , like she’d been weighed and already found lacking .
“You’re trembling , ?” he said .
It was not a question .
Her fingers curled up on her lap . She hadn’t realized she had shaking .
“I’m sorry ,” she whispered automatically .
One corner of his mouth lifted , not a smile . Something sharper .
“Don’t apologize ,” he said . “It’s unnecessary .”
The lawyer cleared his throat . “If we may proceed ,”
“Wait ,” Blackwood said .
The room stilled instantly .
Even the lawyer went silent .
Blackwood slightly lean’s forward , resting both arms on the table now . His attention was focused on her , and it was really killing her .
“You’ve read the contract ?” he asked .
She hesitated . Then nodded . “Yes .”
Another lie .
“And you understand what this marriage is ,” he continued calmly .
Her heart hammered .
She nodded , because that was what was expected of her .
“This is not romantic ,” he said . “It is not emotional . It is not a partnership in the way people like to pretend marriage is .”
Each word landed cleanly . Precisely . Like nails .
“This is an agreement ,” he went on . “You will fulfill your role . I will fulfill mine . Nothing more .”
Her voice came out thin . “And … my role is ?”
He studied her for a moment , as if considering how much truth to give her .
“Publicly ,” he continues , “you will be my wife . You will attend events when required . You will present unity . Loyalty .”
A pause .
“Privately ,” he continued , “you will stay out of my way .”
Something twisted painfully in her chest , but she nodded .
She could do that . She had been staying out of people’s way her entire life .
“You will live in my house ,” he added . “You will not speak to the media . You will not make independent decisions that affect my name . You will not leave without informing my security .”
Her breath caught .
“Leave .. ?” she repeated faintly .
His gaze darkened . “This marriage comes with protection . Protection requires structure .”
That didn't sound like protection .
It sounded like prison .
The lawyer gently slid the pen towards her , as if afraid to startle her .
“When you are ready , Miss Hale’s .”
Her hand hovered above the pen .
This was it .
No ceremony .
No vows .
No choice .
Her body screamed for her to run , but her mind remembered the eviction letter , the debts , the fear that had lived with her for years .
Survival had always demanded obedience .
Slowly she picked up the pen .
The paper rustled gently as she signed her name .
One stroke .
Then another .
Each letter felt like something's been away taken from her , something she couldn't get back .
When she finished , she set the pen down carefully , afraid that if she dropped it , something more might occur .
The lawyer exhaled , finally satisfied . “Congratulations ,” he said . “The marriage is now legally effective .”
She didn’t feel married .
She felt … owned .
Blackwood stood .
The movement was abrupt , final . The meeting was over because he had decided it was .
He buttoned his suit , eyes already drifting away from her .
Then , as if remembering something , he looked back .
“You move into my house tonight ,” he said .
She gasped .
“Tonight ?” she said .
He met her gaze fully now , gray eyes cold and unflattering .
“Yes ,” he said . “You don’t leave without permission .”
The room seemed to stop .
Her fingers curled up into her lap as the weight of his words settled over her , heavy , inescapable and unbearable .
This wasn’t the beginning of a marriage .
It was the beginning of her confinement .
And she had signed her name to it .
- Writer
