His Revenge Bride

Chapter 2: A Deal Written in Ice

The cold wind hit Alina Hayes the moment she stepped out of Blackwood Group.

For a few seconds, she simply stood there, staring at the silver ring Damien Blackwood had slipped onto her finger before she signed the contract. It felt heavier than it looked. Not because of the diamond. Because of what it represented.

One year. One year of living beside a man who hated her family. One year of pretending to be his wife. One year of surviving.

Her phone vibrated. "Dad," she answered quietly.

Richard Hayes spoke before she could say another word. "Alina... are you alright?"

She glanced back at the towering Blackwood Group building. "I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "I've had better days." The line fell silent.

Finally, her father spoke again. "You don't have to go through with this."

Alina closed her eyes. "It's too late."

"No." His voice cracked. "I'd rather lose the company than lose my daughter."

Tears threatened to fall, but she blinked them away. "If the company falls, everything you've worked for disappears." "I can rebuild." "And what about the employees? Their families? The people depending on Hayes Group?"

Richard couldn't answer.

She softened her voice. "I'll be okay." "You don't know Damien Blackwood." "No."

She looked at the ring once more. "But I'm about to."

Meanwhile... On the top floor of Blackwood Group, Damien remained in his office. The signed contract rested on his desk.

His assistant, Lucas Reed, entered with a tablet in hand. "The legal department has confirmed everything is complete."

Damien nodded.

"The wedding?" "The preparations have already begun." Lucas hesitated before asking, "Sir... may I ask you something?"

Damien didn't look up. "You just did."

Lucas sighed. "Do you really believe she's responsible for what happened fifteen years ago?"

The room became unusually quiet.

Damien slowly closed the contract. "No."

Lucas looked surprised. "Then why involve her?"

Damien's eyes turned cold. "Because Richard Hayes loves his daughter more than anything."

He stood and walked toward the window.

"And now he'll spend every day watching her live with the consequences of his choices."

Lucas lowered his head. He wanted to argue. But he knew better.

That evening... Alina returned to the Hayes family home. The mansion no longer looked like the place where she had grown up. Half the furniture had already been sold. Several paintings were gone. Even the grand piano in the living room had disappeared.

The servants greeted her with forced smiles. Everyone knew the family was falling apart. Her father was waiting in the study.

He looked older than he had the day before. "I'm sorry," he whispered as soon as she entered.

Alina walked over and hugged him tightly. "I don't want you apologizing anymore." "I should have protected you." "You spent your whole life protecting me."

She smiled through the sadness. "Now it's my turn."

Richard gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Promise me something."

"What?"

"If Damien ever hurts you..." His voice trembled. "Leave."

Alina looked into her father's eyes. "I promised him one year."

"I'm asking you to promise me your life."

She nodded. "I promise."

Across the city... Damien arrived at Blackwood Mansion. The enormous estate stood in complete silence.

Rows of servants bowed as he entered. "Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood."

Mrs. Carter, the head housekeeper, approached him. "The wedding planner has called three times."

"Tell her to do whatever she wants."

"And your fiancée?"

Damien's expression remained unchanged. "She isn't my fiancée."

Mrs. Carter frowned."Then what is she?"

He loosened his tie. "A business arrangement."

She watched him carefully. "You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

Mrs. Carter sighed. "I've watched you grow up, Damien."

He stopped walking.

"You can fool the world." She smiled sadly. "But don't spend so much time convincing yourself that your heart is made of stone."

Without waiting for his reply, she walked away.

Damien stood alone in the hallway. For reasons he couldn't explain... Her words unsettled him.

Late that night... Alina sat on the balcony outside her bedroom. The city lights stretched endlessly before her. She held the contract in her hands. Every page reminded her that her future no longer belonged to her.

A cool breeze brushed against her face. "I won't let him break me," she whispered to herself. "He thinks this marriage is his victory."

She looked up at the stars hidden behind the clouds. "But this isn't the end of my story."

Far across the city... Standing before the windows of Blackwood Mansion...

Damien unknowingly whispered words almost identical to hers. "This is only the beginning."

Neither of them realized... Fate had already begun weaving their lives together.

And before the year was over... The line between revenge and love would become impossible to see.