The contract
589 Words
Chapter 3
Amara barely slept.
The luxurious bedroom was bigger than the entire apartment her family had lived in. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the king-sized bed was softer than anything she had ever touched.
Yet none of it brought her comfort.
She missed her freedom.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the tall windows. Before she could even sit up, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Miss... I mean, Mrs. Black?" Mrs. Evelyn called softly. "Breakfast is ready."
"I'm coming."
After washing up, Amara followed Mrs. Evelyn downstairs.
The dining room looked like something from a palace. A long table was filled with pancakes, fresh fruit, bread, eggs, bacon, and juice.
At the far end sat Damien, reading the morning newspaper while sipping black coffee.
He didn't look up.
"Sit."
Amara folded her arms.
"I'm not hungry."
Without lifting his eyes from the paper, Damien said, "You haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon."
She blinked.
"How do you know that?"
"I notice things."
His answer made her uncomfortable.
Reluctantly, she sat down.
Silence filled the room as they ate.
Finally, Damien placed an envelope on the table and slid it toward her.
"What's this?"
"Our agreement."
Amara frowned as she opened it.
Inside was a neatly typed contract.
Her eyes widened.
"You actually wrote a marriage contract?"
"You'll understand once you read it."
She began reading.
Rule One: You are free to continue your education or pursue your career.
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.
Rule Two: You will never be forced into anything against your will.
She looked at him.
He simply nodded for her to continue.
Rule Three: In public, we act like a happily married couple.
Rule Four: You may leave this house whenever you wish, but a security team will accompany you.
Rule Five: Never enter the west wing of the mansion.
Amara stopped reading.
"The west wing?"
Damien's expression hardened.
"That rule is not negotiable."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
His cold tone made it clear the conversation was over.
She continued reading.
At the bottom of the page was one final sentence.
If either party falls in love, the contract becomes void.
Amara looked up in disbelief.
"What kind of rule is this?"
"The simplest one."
"So you're afraid of falling in love?"
Damien let out a quiet laugh.
"No."
"Then why include it?"
"Because love complicates everything."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Amara picked up the pen beside the contract.
"I haven't agreed to marry you."
"You already did."
"I was forced."
"You were."
She glared at him.
"I still don't trust you."
"I know."
"But..." she said slowly, "I'll sign this because it's the first decision I've made for myself since yesterday."
She signed her name.
Damien added his signature beneath hers.
As he reached for the contract, his phone rang.
He answered immediately.
"What happened?"
His calm expression disappeared.
"When?"
He stood abruptly.
"I'm on my way."
He ended the call and turned to Mrs. Evelyn.
"Lock every entrance."
"Yes, sir."
Amara stood.
"What's going on?"
Damien looked at her with an expression she couldn't read.
"My company has just been attacked."
"Attacked?"
"Someone wants to destroy everything I've built."
Before leaving, he paused.
"And if they discover you're my wife..."
He looked straight into her eyes.
"...they'll come for you too."
The front door slammed shut behind him.
Amara stood frozen.
She had thought marrying Damien Black would be the biggest problem in her life.
Now she realized...
It was only the beginning.
- Writer
