Chapter 2 :The Signature
931 Words
The pen felt heavier than it should.
I stared at the contract in front of me, the words blurring slightly as my thoughts raced.
One year.
That was all Adrian Wolfe was asking for.
One year of pretending to be his wife.
Across the table, Adrian sat calmly, as if the outcome was already decided. His grey eyes watched me carefully, patient and calculating.
He looked like a man who had never been refused in his life.
My finger tightened around the pen.
“This is insane,” I muttered under my breath
Adrian didn’t react.
“You’re asking me to marry a man i barely know.”
“It’s a contract,” he replied smoothly. “Not a love story.”
I glanced back at the document.
Rule #1: No emotional attachment.
Rule #2: Maintain the appearance of a perfect marriage in public.
Rule #3: The marriage will last exactly one year.
After that, we would divorce.
Simple.
Clean.
Like ending a business partnership.
But marriage wasn't supposed to be a business deal.
My father's exhausted face flashed through my mind.
The bills pilling up on the kitchen table.
The phone calls from the bank demanding payment we couldn't afford.
If I walked away from this…
Everything my family had worked for would collapse.
I swallowed hard.
“You’re sure you would pay all the debts.” I asked quietly.
Adrian voice remained steady.
“The moment you sign.”
I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his.
“And my family keeps the company?”
“Yes.”
“And you won’t interfere in their business?”
“I have no interest in small construction firms,” he said bluntly.
Something about the honestly in his tone made my chest tighten.
This man wasn’t trying to pretend he was kind.
He was simply offering a deal.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
I looked back down at the contract again.
This was the moment my life could change forever.
“Why me?” I asked suddenly.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“You still haven’t answered that question.”
For the first time since dinner began, Adrian paused slightly.
Then he leaned forward.
“You’re not part of the elite social circle,” he said calmly. “You have no scandals, no media attention and no connections that would complicate things.”
I frowned.
“So I’m…convenient.”
“Yes.”
The bluntness almost made me laugh.
“You’re unbelievably honest.”
“I prefer efficiency.”
Of course he did.
I took a deep breath.
“Let’s say i agree,” I said slowly. What happens next?”
Adrian reached for his wine glass but didn’t drink from it.
“You move into my residence tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I repeated in shock.
“Yes.”
“That’s…fast.”
“My grandfather is currently in the hospital,” he explained. “He’s eager to meet my future wife.”
Future wife. The words sounded surreal.
“And if he finds out this marriage is fake?” I asked.
“He won’t.”
The certainty in Adrian’s voice is unsettling.
“You are very confident.”
“I don’t lose control of situations, Miss Carter.”
I hesitated.
“Lena.” I correctly softly.
His eyes flickered slightly.
“Lena.” He repeated.
Hearing my name in his deep voice sent a strange warmth through my chest.
I quickly ignored the feeling.
This wasn’t real. None of this was real.
I looked down at the contract one last time.
One year.
Just one year.
For my family.
Slowly, I lowered the pen to the paper.
My hand trembled slightly as I signed my name.
LENA CARTER.
The moment the ink touched the page, Adrian calmly slid the contract toward himself.
He glanced over my signature before adding his own.
ADRIAN WOLFE.
Just like that…
The deal was sealed.
He closed the folder neatly and looked back at me.
“Congratulations.”
I frowned slightly.
“For what?”
Adrian said Preston remained unreadable.
“You’re now my wife.”
The words sent a strange chill down my spine.
“Not yet,” I said quickly.
Adrian reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone.
“That can be arranged tonight.”
My eyes widened.
“Tonight?!”
“Yes.”
“You’re serious?”
He was already dialing a number.
“Marcus,” he said calmly once the call connected.
“Prepare the legal team and arrange a private marriage license.”
He paused briefly.
“Yes.”
His eyes flickered toward me.
“She agreed.”
My heart began to race. Everything was moving too fast.
Adrian ended the call and stood from the table.
“We’re leaving.”
I blinked in confusion.
“Leaving where?”
“To get married.”
My stomach flipped violently.
I stood slowly, trying to process the situation.
“Mr. Wolfe—“
“Adrian.”
I hesitated before correcting myself.
“Adrian are you always this…terrifyingly efficient?”
For the first time that evening, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“You’ll get used to it.”
He offered his hand to help me stand.
I stared at it for a moment before taking it.
His grip was firm.
Warm.
Unexpectedly steady.
As we walked toward the restaurant exit, a strange realization hit me.
Just a few hours ago, Adrian Wolfe had been a stranger.
Now I was about to become his wife.
And something told me that agreeing to this deal might be the most dangerous decision of my life.
- Writer
