CHAPTER 3: THE CONTRACT OF FATE
578 Words
The luxurious office of De Montaigne was as cold as the man sitting behind the sleek black desk.
Ava sat stiffly across from Rhys De Montaigne, her fingers curled into fists in her lap. The contact lay between them, a soulless document binding her to a man she barely knew, a man who made it clear that this marriage was nothing more than a business transaction.
Rhys dark eyes studied her, his expression unreadable. He tapped the papers lightly with his fingers.
“Read it carefully. Once you sign, there’s no turning back.”
Ava swallowed, her pride screaming at her to walk away. But she couldn’t.
Her family had made sure of that.
She picked up the contract, her eyes scanning the terms:
•The marriage will last one year.
• In public, they must appear as a real couple.
• No emotional attachment.
• Divorce will follow once Rhys secures his business deal.
Ava’s hands trembled as she reached the last page. Her name was already printed beside Rhys.
She lifted her gaze. “You’re really this heartless, huh?”
Rhys smirked, leaning back in his chair.
“I prefer the term “practical.”
Ava exhaled harshly, grabbing the pen.
“Fine. But don’t expect me to play the obedient wife.”
His smirk didn’t fade. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
With one final breath, she signed her name, sealing her fate.
Later that night, Rhys took her to a high-end gala, the first public event where they had to act like a couple.
Ava was stunning, form-fitting black dress- one that her stepmother had picked. But she didn’t wear it for Rhys. She wore it as armor.
As they entered the ballroom, all eyes turned to them. Whispers spread like wildfire..
Rhys was engaged?
To a nobody?
Ava’s spine stiffened, but before she could react, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
She looked up. Rhys jaw was tight, his grip firm.
“What are you—“ “Smile,” he murmured.
“They’re watching.”
Ava forced a polite expression, but her pulse quickened at the possessive way he held her.
Then, a stunning woman approached.
“Rhys,” the woman purred, placing a hand on his arm. “It’s been a while.”
Ava recognized her immediately— Celeste Reed, the heiress rumored to be Rhys ex.
Rhys gave her a cool nod. “Celeste.”
Ava expected him to release his grip on her waist. But instead, he tightened it.
“Meet my fiancee,” Rhys said, his voice was sharper than before. “Ava.”
Celeste perfectly manicured brows arched.
“Fiancée? Well.. this is unexpected.”
Ava forced a smile. “Trust me, no one’s more surprised than me.”
Celeste laughed lightly, but her gaze lingered on Rhys.
“You’ve changed. The Rhys I knew never wanted to settle down.”
Rhys hold on Ava became almost possessive.
“The Rhys you knew is gone.”
Ava felt his tension, saw the way his jaw clenched as Celeste smiled.
Was he proving a point? Or was he..
Celeste finally walked away, leaving a strange silence between them.
Ava tilted her head. “That was dramatic.”
Rhys glanced down at her, his dark eyes unreadable. “She doesn’t matter.”
Ava smirked. “You sure about that?”
His gaze darkened. “Don’t test me, Ava.”
She groaned, burying her face into the pillow.
- Writer
