Chapter 6: The Contract
916 Words
Adrian Vale had built his empire by trusting facts.
Sophia had become the one variable he couldn't calculate.
He stood in his office, staring at the handwritten note for what felt like the hundredth time.
> I warned you.
> Marry me before it's too late.
The chandelier attack had dominated every news outlet.
Investigators called it an unfortunate accident.
Adrian knew better.
Three attempts.
Three warnings.
Three times Sophia had been right.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Clara entered, carrying a tablet.
"The preliminary report from the hotel just arrived."
Adrian held out his hand.
"The chain supporting the chandelier was deliberately weakened," Clara said quietly. "Someone tampered with it."
Adrian skimmed through the report.
No fingerprints.
No witnesses.
No suspects.
Whoever was targeting him had planned carefully.
"Did security find Sophia?"
"No."
Of course they hadn't.
Sophia had a habit of appearing exactly when he needed answers—
and disappearing before he could ask the right questions.
"Continue the investigation."
Clara hesitated.
"Sir..."
"What?"
"How many more accidents need to happen before you believe her?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Because for the first time since meeting Sophia—
he did believe her.
He just didn't trust her.
That evening, Adrian arrived home to find his grandmother waiting for him in the study.
Eleanor Vale looked more severe than usual.
"The board wants answers."
"They'll get them."
"They think you're losing control."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I haven't."
Eleanor studied him carefully.
"This woman—"
"Sophia."
"You know her name."
"Only the one she gave me."
Eleanor sighed.
"You need to make a decision."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"What decision?"
"Either remove her from your life..."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Or let her in."
Before Adrian could respond, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
His pulse quickened.
He answered immediately.
"What now?"
"You finally sound willing to listen."
Sophia.
"Where are you?"
A pause.
"Do you trust me?"
"No."
"Good."
Adrian blinked.
"What?"
"You shouldn't."
The honesty in her voice caught him off guard.
"Then why should I marry you?"
Silence.
Then—
"Because if you don't..."
Her voice lowered.
"...you'll be dead before the end of the month."
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone.
"Meet me."
"No."
"Sophia—"
"Not at your office."
"Then where?"
She gave him an address before ending the call.
The restaurant overlooked the city skyline.
Elegant.
Private.
Sophia sat alone near the window.
When Adrian approached the table, she didn't look surprised.
"You came."
"You expected me to."
"I hoped."
Adrian sat across from her.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Sophia broke the silence first.
"You look tired."
"You've been trying to convince me to marry you."
The corner of her mouth twitched.
"Fair point."
Adrian leaned forward.
"No games tonight."
Sophia's expression became guarded.
"I don't play games."
"Who are you?"
Silence.
"Why can't I find any records about you?"
Silence.
"Why does my father's signature appear on a photograph connected to your family?"
Sophia looked away.
"Some questions don't have safe answers."
Frustration surged through Adrian.
"Do you hear yourself?"
"I hear myself perfectly."
"You expect me to marry a stranger."
"I'm asking you to survive."
Their eyes locked.
Neither willing to back down.
Finally, Sophia reached into her bag and removed a folder.
She slid it across the table.
Adrian opened it.
His breath caught.
Photographs.
Reports.
Newspaper clippings.
All connected to the attacks against him.
The brake failure.
The chandelier.
Surveillance photos.
Schedules.
His routines.
His movements.
Someone had been watching him for months.
"How did you get these?" Adrian asked.
Sophia remained silent.
"Whoever is behind this won't stop."
Her voice softened.
"And I can't protect you unless I'm close enough."
Adrian's heartbeat accelerated.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Sophia met his gaze.
"I know."
Then she placed another document on the table.
A contract.
Adrian stared at it.
CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT
"What is this?"
"Our solution."
He let out a humorless laugh.
"You're serious."
"Completely."
Adrian skimmed the first page.
Six months.
Public marriage.
Shared residence.
No interference with business matters.
Mutual respect.
Automatic dissolution after six months.
He looked up.
"You've thought this through."
Sophia's expression remained unreadable.
"I've had time."
"What happens after six months?"
"If we're both alive..."
A shadow crossed her features.
"...we walk away."
Adrian stared at her.
For the first time, Sophia looked uncertain.
Almost vulnerable.
"You really believe this is the only way?"
"Yes."
"And if I refuse?"
Sophia lowered her eyes briefly.
Then said quietly—
"I'll still try to save you."
Something twisted painfully in Adrian's chest.
Because for the first time since meeting her...
he believed she meant it.
He picked up the pen.
Sophia went still.
"You don't trust me," she said softly.
"No."
"Then why?"
Adrian signed the document.
The sound of pen against paper echoed between them.
"Because," he said, sliding the contract back toward her, "I intend to find out exactly who you are."
Sophia stared at his signature.
A mixture of relief and fear flashed across her face.
Then she signed.
The moment the pen left the page—
Sophia's phone vibrated.
Her expression changed instantly.
She grabbed the device.
Adrian noticed the color drain from her face.
"What is it?"
Sophia rose abruptly.
"We need to leave."
"Why?"
She looked directly at him.
For the first time since they'd met—
Sophia looked terrified.
"They know."
Adrian stood.
"Who knows?"
Sophia's voice shook.
"Whoever's trying to kill you."
She met his gaze.
"They know we're married."
- Writer
