The Forgotten Clause

The loud ring of Lila Hart's phone broke a discomforting quiet in her tiny, disorganized apartment. She looked at the screen, partly anticipating yet another bill collector. Instead, an unknown number blinked back at her. With a resigned sigh, she picked up. “Lila Hart.” “Miss Hart,” a deep, clipped voice responded. "This is Victor Hayes from the Hayes & Carrington law firm. I need you to come to my workplace right away. It’s regarding an inheritance.” She blinked. "Excuse me?" "You've been included in the will of Charles Blackwood." Her heartbeat stalled. “I don’t know a Charles Blackwood.” There was a brief delay. "However, you have been invited. A private car is waiting outside your apartment.” She hurried to the window. A sleek black automobile was parked on the street curb. This is most likely a fraud. "I think you've chosen the wrong person," she said. "I don't have any billionaire relatives leaving me inheritance." Victor’s tone remained calm but firm. “Miss Hart, if you decline this meeting, you forfeit a considerable inheritance. I suggest you reconsider.” Her bank account was in double digits. She didn't have too many alternatives. "Fine," she muttered. "But if this is some big trick, I'm calling the authorities." Victor chuckled. "You will not be need to." Lila's shoes clanked on the gorgeous marble floor of Hayes & Carrington, a legal practice so extravagant that it seemed like something out of a billionaire's dream. A well-dressed receptionist led her to a contemporary boardroom, where Victor Hayes sat scrutinizing a stack of papers. “Miss Hart.” He gestured to a chair. “Please, sit.” She did, fists clutched in her lap. “Mind telling me why I’m here?” Victor opened the folder. “Charles Blackwood, billionaire investor and real estate tycoon, passed away last month. You, Miss Hart, have been named as the heir to his estate.” Lila let out a chuckle. "You're kidding." "I guarantee you, I am not." "This does not make sense. I’ve never met a Charles Blackwood.” Victor’s gaze was unreadable. “Your mother, however, did.” Lila stiffened. “My mother?” “She worked for Blackwood Industries years ago. The details are uncertain, but what is certain is that Charles Blackwood assured you would receive his wealth. She looked at the documents, the words blurring together. “What exactly did I inherit?” “Blackwood Manor. And a fortune worth approximately $2.3 billion.” Her stomach flipped. “You’re insane.” Victor slid a contract across the table. “It’s all legally binding.” Lila grasped for the papers, fingers shaking. "What's the catch?" Victor hesitated. “There is…one clause.” She exhaled. “Of course there is.” Victor tapped the paper. “To claim the inheritance, you must marry Elias Blackwood within thirty days.” The air left her lungs. “I have to what?” “Marry Elias Blackwood.” Lila snorted. "Yes, no. "I have no idea of him." “He doesn’t know you either,” Victor admitted. “And he has no idea about this arrangement.” Her jaw plummeted. "You're saying that the man I'm meant to marry is ignorant that he's part of the will?" Victor nodded. “Not yet.” “This is ridiculous.” She shoved back her chair. “Forget it.” “Miss Hart,” Victor’s voice remained steady. “If you refuse, the fortune and estate will be forfeited to an unknown beneficiary. Someone who may not have your best interests at heart.” Her legs felt weak. “Why me?” “That, Miss Hart, is the mystery. But if you want to solve it, you’ll have to marry Elias Blackwood.” Lila stared at the contract, her pulse hammering. She was broke. This was insane. But two billion dollars? Could she really say no? Elias Blackwood did not tolerate surprises. When his assistant, Marcus, informed him that Victor Hayes had an urgent matter regarding a will, Elias nearly dismissed it. Until he saw the name attached to it. Lila Hart. He strode into Hayes & Carrington, his presence sending a ripple of tension through the room. Victor stood to greet him. Lila seated at the table, looking at the paperwork in front of her as if it had directly offended her. Victor cleared his throat. "Mr. Blackwood, I suppose you've heard—" "I don't have time for games," Elias interrupted, his voice stern. His ice-blue gaze moved to Lila, scrutinizing her. “Who are you?” She lifted her chin. “Who are you?” His lips trembled, but his expression still impenetrable "You've been listed in my grandfather's will?" She swallowed hard. “Seems that way.” Victor interjected. “Elias, Lila has been named as heir to Blackwood Manor and the estate.” Elias' stare clouded. "I don't buy it." Victor pushed a second document toward him. “It’s all legal.” Elias skimmed the papers, his fingers tightening. “This is a joke.” Victor continued, “The clause states that to claim the inheritance, Miss Hart must marry you within thirty days.” Silence. A thick, suffocating silence. Then Elias laughed, a cold, humorless sound. “Absolutely not.” Lila huffed. “Excuse me?” “You heard me.” He got closer, his gaze fixated on hers. "I do not know you. And I do not marry strangers. She crossed her arms. “Well, guess what? Neither do I.” Victor sighed. "Unfortunately, Mr. Blackwood, if you decline, the entire estate will be handed to an unknown third party." Elias' jaw constricted. “Who?” “We don’t know.” Elias exhaled through his nose. “This is absurd.” Lila nodded. “Glad we agree.” Victor straightened. “You both have thirty days to decide. Otherwise, the fortune is lost.” Elias turned to depart, but stopped at the door. "It's not over. His voice was low, promising. Lila's pulse surged. "I'm counting on it." Elias went away, and she sighed. What had she dragged herself into?