His Contract Bride

THE CONTRACT

Earlier on…The rain came down hard over the city that night, streaking Kings Tower’s glass like veins of silver.Tyler Kings stood in his office, one hand resting against the window, watching the storm churn over the skyline. Below, lights flickered, traffic moved like veins of fire through the wet streets — the empire he had built, the one that was now trembling under public scrutiny.Behind him, Lydia Trent’s voice broke the quiet.“The board is losing patience, Tyler. The next quarter’s vote is three weeks away. Unless you change the narrative, they’ll replace you.”He didn’t turn around. “And your solution is still the same?”Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she approached. “Yes. You and Enid Adams. The public already believes there’s a spark between you. You just have to make it real enough to calm the investors.”He finally turned, eyes cold. “You want me to pretend to be in love with a woman who called me an arrogant robot?”“I want you to survive,” Lydia replied simply. “And I think she might be your best chance.”Tyler didn’t respond. His jaw tightened, and he dismissed her with a nod.When she was gone, he stared again at the storm. The city pulsed beneath him — alive, merciless, hungry. Somewhere down there was the woman who’d defied him, who’d made him feel something he hadn’t felt in years: disorder.And now, she might be the only person who could save him.Back to present…. “What are you doing here?”He stepped inside, the door closing behind him. “You didn’t answer my messages.”“Because I deleted them.”“I needed to see how far you’d fallen.”Enid rose to her feet, fury cutting through exhaustion. “Congratulations. You’ve officially ruined me. Was that the plan?”Tyler’s gaze remained steady. “You ruined yourself. I just let gravity do its job.”She laughed bitterly. “Gravity? You pulled the ground out from under me!”“You embarrassed my company in front of the world,” he said sharply. “And then you called me a—what was it again? Ah, yes. A robot in a designer suit.”“You are one.”For a heartbeat, their eyes locked — fire against frost.Then Tyler sighed, his tone lowering. “You’re reckless, Miss Adams. But you’re also good at what you do.”Enid blinked. “What?”He walked closer, stopping just inches away. “I have a problem. My company’s under review by the board. Investors are threatening to pull funding unless I repair my image.”“And you’re telling me this because?”His next words dropped like a stone.“Because they think I’m incapable of human connection. The media loves you, even after the scandal. They’re calling us ‘chemistry in chaos.’ My PR team thinks we can use it.”Enid’s stomach turned. “Use it how?”Tyler’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying her face. “By turning this scandal into a love story.”She laughed in disbelief. “You’re insane.”“Maybe. But if we stage a fake engagement, it restores my credibility—and saves your reputation.”Her mouth fell open. “You want me to pretend to be your fiancée? After everything you did?”Tyler didn’t blink. “It’s business. A contract. You’ll be compensated, and your company will recover.”For a long moment, Enid just stared at him. The man who had destroyed her was now offering to save her — on his terms.“I should throw you out,” she whispered.“You should,” he said calmly. “But you won’t. You can’t afford to.”Her chest tightened. He was right.“Think about it,” he added, stepping back toward the door. “You have until tomorrow. Be my fiancée, or watch what’s left of your business disappear.”And then he left — his cologne lingering like the ghost of a threat.Enid sank into her chair, shaking.The man who’d ruined her was now holding out the only lifeline she had.And she hated herself for even considering it.Across TownThe next morning…Enid Adam’s apartment smelled faintly of rain and cheap instant noodles. The screen filled with another email that started with “We regret to inform you…She leaned back, exhaling shakily. Another rejection. Another closed doorAcross from her, Eli lounged on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He’d stopped teasing her about the internet frenzy around her and Tyler weeks ago — now, he just looked worried.Eli is her closest friend, more of an only friend. At first he was laughing at the situation especially the look on Kings face when I called him a robot.“Enid,” he said softly, “you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You need a break.”She forced a smile. “Breaks don’t pay rent.”“You could come work with me,” he offered. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s steady. And you wouldn’t have to—”“—be a walking meme?” she finished with a dry laugh.Eli smiled faintly, but his eyes were serious. “You’re more than that headline, Enid.”She looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I used to believe that.”“Are you sure about this?” he’d asked referring to the contract of the kings she was about to accept. He heard about it yesterday and came driving to her place early this morning only to meet her dressed already.“No,” she’d admitted. “But I need the money, Eli. I can’t keep drowning.”“But accepting this contract isn’t what I would call right” he said now sitting up looking at her with this worried look.“I really don’t have much of a choice now. do I?” she stood up from the chair she was and start adjusting her dress, something not too formal yet not casual. “…you see it’s just another rejection, I just have to try both ways before I end up on the street” “I get you, just be extra careful remember he’s a media person, the moment you accept that contract it’s going to be a new different word” Eli said still hoping she change her mind and accept his offer. She looked lost for a moment and just smile then left the house.Now, standing in Kings’ world, she felt painfully out of place.And then the elevator doors opened, revealing Eleanor Kings — graceful, elegant, with eyes that missed nothing. Her hair- silver-gold and precisely styled – framed a face that time had not dared to touch carelessly. There was no softness in her beauty; It was elegance sharpened by experience. Her posture alone commanded silence.“Tyler!” she exclaimed, striding forward. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing someone!”Enid froze, forcing a smile. She never knew she was meeting his mum.Eleanor was everything the magazine had suggested and more: the widow of an empire, the silent strategist behind its heir. Her perfume, something faintly floral and ancient, filled the space like memory itself.Eleanor’s eyes softened instantly as she looked her up and down. “Oh, she’s lovely! And real. My goodness, I thought I’d never see the day.”“Mother—” Tyler began, but she waved him off, beaming.“So this is the woman who’s finally managed to thaw you out,” Eleanor said warmly, taking Enid’s hands. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this moment.”Enid’s breath hitched. She glanced at Tyler, who said nothing — just watched her with that same unreadable expression, like he was curious what she’d do next.And for the first time, Enid realized the danger of what she’d agreed to.This wasn’t just an arrangement.It was a lie that was already starting to feel real.