Her Choice
1104 Words
Elena sat quietly on the sofa.
Her mother's tearful face remained in her mind.
She looked at the marriage contract again.
Twelve months.
That was all.
Twelve months with Adrian Blackwood.
Then everything would be over.
Elena took a deep breath.
She knew what she had to do.
She picked up her phone and called her mother.
“Mom?”
“Yes, Elena?”
“I've made my decision.”
Her mother became silent.
“What are you going to do?”
Elena looked at the contract.
“I'll accept his offer.”
Her mother gasped.
“Elena, are you sure?”
“No.”
She gave a small, nervous laugh.
“But I don't see another way.”
“You don't have to do this for us.”
“I know.”
Elena looked around the room.
“But I can't watch us lose our home.”
Her mother sighed.
“I just want you to be safe.”
“I will be.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
Elena ended the call.
Her hands were still shaking.
She opened the contract again.
There was one final page.
A signature line.
She stared at it for several seconds.
Then she picked up the pen.
Her hand moved slowly across the paper.
Elena Carter.
She had signed it.
Her heart began racing.
She had just agreed to marry a man she barely knew.
A man who had warned her not to fall in love with him.
Elena put the pen down.
“What have I done?”
Her phone suddenly rang.
She looked at the screen.
It was Adrian.
She hesitated before answering.
“Hello?”
“Did you make your decision?”
His voice was calm.
“Yes.”
“And?”
Elena swallowed.
“I accept.”
There was silence on the other end.
Then Adrian spoke.
“Good.”
That was it.
No excitement.
No surprise.
Nothing.
Elena frowned.
“You don't sound surprised.”
“I expected you to accept.”
“How?”
“Because you care about your family.”
His words made her uncomfortable.
“You seem to know a lot about me.”
“I know enough.”
Elena sighed.
“I signed the agreement.”
“I know.”
She froze.
“How?”
“I received a copy.”
Of course.
Adrian had everything arranged.
“When does this start?” she asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Elena stood up.
“That soon?”
“The sooner we begin, the sooner the situation is resolved.”
She didn't like how coldly he said it.
“Where will I live?”
“With me.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“With you?”
“You're going to be my wife.”
“It's a contract marriage.”
“I know.”
“Then why do I have to live with you?”
“Because people will notice if my wife doesn't live with me.”
Elena had no answer.
Adrian continued.
“My driver will pick you up at nine tomorrow morning.”
“Do I have to bring everything?”
“Only what you need.”
Elena frowned.
“And my family?”
“I'll arrange for the bank to receive the payment.”
She became quiet.
“Thank you.”
“You don't need to thank me.”
His voice was distant.
“You're fulfilling your part of the agreement.”
The call ended.
Elena stared at her phone.
She couldn't decide whether she was relieved or terrified.
The next morning, Elena woke before her alarm.
She barely slept.
She packed a small suitcase and looked around her bedroom.
This room had been hers for years.
The walls held old photographs.
Her books were stacked beside the bed.
Everything felt familiar.
But today, she was leaving it behind.
Her mother appeared at the doorway.
“Are you ready?”
Elena turned.
“I think so.”
Her mother walked toward her and pulled her into a hug.
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
“And if anything feels wrong, come home.”
Elena nodded.
“I promise.”
A car horn sounded outside.
Elena looked through the window.
A black luxury car was waiting.
Her stomach tightened.
Adrian's driver had arrived.
She picked up her suitcase.
Her mother held her hand.
“You don't have to do this.”
Elena gave her a small smile.
“I'll be okay.”
She walked outside.
The driver opened the back door.
Elena placed her suitcase inside.
Before getting into the car, she looked back at her home.
She didn't know when she would return.
She didn't know what awaited her.
But she knew one thing.
Her life had changed.
The car stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.
Elena slowly stepped out.
She stared at the enormous house.
“This is where he lives?”
The driver nodded.
“Yes, Miss Carter.”
Elena took a nervous breath.
The front doors opened.
A housekeeper stepped outside.
“Welcome, Miss Carter.”
Elena nodded politely.
“Thank you.”
She walked inside.
Everything looked expensive.
The marble floors.
The massive staircase.
The beautiful paintings.
It was nothing like the small home she had grown up in.
She suddenly felt like she didn't belong.
Then she heard footsteps.
Elena turned.
Adrian stood at the top of the staircase.
He was wearing a black suit.
His expression was unreadable.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Adrian walked down the stairs.
“You came.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“You told me to.”
A faint change appeared in his expression.
Almost a smile.
But it disappeared quickly.
“Your room is ready.”
“My room?”
“Yes.”
“Not yours?”
“No.”
Elena felt relieved.
Adrian walked past her.
“Come with me.”
She followed.
But before they reached the staircase, Adrian stopped.
“There is something you need to understand.”
Elena looked at him.
“What?”
“Our marriage may be fake.”
He paused.
“But everyone around us must believe it's real.”
Elena nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“And there must be no mistakes.”
She looked into his cold eyes.
“What happens if there is?”
Adrian stepped closer.
His voice became quiet.
“Then this contract could become much more complicated than either of us expects.”
Elena's heart skipped.
She didn't know what he meant.
But she was about to find out.
Their contract marriage had begun.
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