Married to my enemy

The contract

The words refused to leave Lily's mind.

"I'll pay for everything."

"How much is your father's life worth?"

She hated him.

She hated his arrogance.

She hated the way he always seemed to have the answer.

Most of all, she hated the fact that he was right.

Because Mr. Blake's surgery couldn't wait.

And time had become a luxury they no longer possessed.

The doctor emerged from the room.

"Miss Blake?"

Lily stood immediately.

"Doctor?"

"We need to schedule the surgery."

His expression softened.

"The sooner, the better."

Her voice trembled.

"I need some time."

The doctor nodded sympathetically.

"But please don't delay too long."

As he walked away, Lily sank into one of the chairs.

Her hands shook.

How much more could one person endure?

She had buried her mother.

Watched her family fall apart.

Lived in fear every day.

And now…

She was about to lose her father too.

Unless she sacrificed herself.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

And for the first time in her life…

Lily Blake felt defeated.

Three days later.

Blackwood Holdings.

Lily stood in front of the glass skyscraper.

Her heart felt heavy.

Everything inside her screamed to turn around.

To run.

But then she remembered her father's weak smile.

Ethan's worried eyes.

Mia's tears.

She had no choice.

The receptionist smiled.

"Miss Blake."

"Mr. Blackwood is expecting you."

Of course he was.

Damien Blackwood always seemed to know everything.

He stood by the window when she entered.

Just like the first day.

The city stretched beneath him.

Power.

Control.

Everything she hated.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"You came."

Lily laughed bitterly.

"You sound surprised."

Damien finally faced her.

His expression remained unreadable.

"I gave you twenty-four hours."

"You took three days."

"Congratulations."

"I'm here, aren't I?"

Silence.

Neither moved.

Neither spoke.

Finally, Damien walked toward his desk.

A thick document lay waiting.

"The contract."

Lily stared at it.

Marriage.

One signature.

And her life would never belong to her again.

"You planned all this."

His gray eyes met hers.

"No."

"You forced me."

"No."

His answer came quietly.

"You chose."

Anger exploded inside her.

"Choice?"

"Don't talk to me about choice!"

"You trapped me!"

"My father is dying!"

"My family is falling apart!"

"And you're standing there talking about choice?"

To her surprise…

Damien didn't argue.

He simply stood there.

And something strange flickered in his eyes.

Regret.

But it vanished too quickly.

"You can still walk away."

Lily blinked.

"What?"

"You can refuse."

"Leave."

"And let your father die?"

Her voice cracked.

He remained silent.

And somehow…

His silence hurt more than any argument.

Andrew entered carrying another folder.

"Sir, the lawyers are waiting."

Damien nodded.

"Thank you."

Andrew glanced nervously between them.

Poor man.

Lily almost pitied him.

Working for the devil couldn't be easy.

The lawyer explained the terms.

The marriage would be legal.

Mr. Blake's debt would disappear.

Damien would pay for the surgery.

The Blake family would remain under his protection.

Everything sounded too perfect.

Too easy.

Which made Lily distrust it even more.

"There has to be a catch."

"There isn't," Damien answered.

She laughed.

"Men like you don't do charity."

"No."

His voice was calm.

"We don't."

Again.

That strange sadness in his eyes.

What was he hiding?

The pen felt heavy in her hand.

She looked at her name on the last page.

Lily Blake.

Soon…

It would become something else.

Something she wasn't ready to accept.

"Lily Blackwood."

The thought made her sick.

Her mother's words echoed inside her mind.

The Blackwoods destroyed us.

Tears filled her eyes.

"Mom."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm so sorry."

Then—

She signed.

The sound of the pen against paper echoed through the room.

And just like that…

It was done.

The lawyer smiled.

"Congratulations."

Congratulations?

Was that what this was?

A celebration?

Lily felt nothing.

No happiness.

No excitement.

Only grief.

When the lawyer left, silence settled over the office.

Neither spoke.

Finally, Damien picked up the contract.

His expression unreadable.

"It's done."

Lily wiped her tears angrily.

"Happy?"

His eyes softened slightly.

"No."

She frowned.

"No?"

"No."

He placed the contract inside a drawer.

"Believe me, Lily."

"There are many words I'd use to describe this."

"But happiness isn't one of them."

Her anger returned.

"Then why?"

Damien looked away.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Ask questions I'm not ready to answer."

"Because I deserve answers!"

"And someday you'll have them."

His voice was quiet.

"But not today."

She laughed bitterly.

"I'll never understand you."

"Perhaps."

"And I want you to understand something too."

Damien looked at her.

"I will never love you."

The words left her lips with fierce determination.

"Never."

"Do you hear me?"

"I hate you."

"I hate everything about you."

"I hate your arrogance."

"I hate your control."

"I hate your name."

"And I will spend every day of this marriage reminding you that I never wanted it."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Damien stared at her.

And to her surprise…

He smiled.

Not mockingly.

Not cruelly.

But sadly.

"As expected."

The answer confused her.

No anger.

No disappointment.

Nothing.

As though he'd already prepared himself.

"As expected?" she repeated.

His eyes darkened.

"Love was never part of the agreement, Lily."

Something painful flashed across his face.

"So don't worry."

"You won't disappoint me."

For some reason…

Those words hurt.

And she hated herself for caring.

That evening, Damien stood alone inside his penthouse.

Rain battered the windows.

He loosened his tie.

Exhaustion settled in his eyes.

Andrew entered quietly.

"It's done?"

Damien nodded.

"And she hates you."

A bitter smile crossed Damien's face.

"Yes."

Andrew sighed.

"You could tell her."

"No."

"She deserves the truth."

"And she'll have it."

"When?"

Damien looked toward the city lights.

His voice barely above a whisper.

"When she's safe."

Andrew frowned.

"Safe from what?"

But Damien never answered.

Instead, he opened the locked drawer.

Inside lay an old photograph.

And beside it…

A letter.

Written in a woman's handwriting.

Mrs. Blake's handwriting.

Damien gently touched it.

His eyes filled with sorrow.

And for the first time in years…

Fear.

Because he knew something Lily didn't.

Something terrible.

And if the truth came out too soon…

It wouldn't just destroy her.

It might get her killed. :::