The Marriage I Never Wanted

The rain pounded relentlessly against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Tower, turning the glittering city into a blur of lights. Aria Vale tightened her grip on the worn leather folder in her hands as she stepped out of the elevator on the top floor. The receptionist looked up immediately. “Miss Vale?” “Yes.” “He has been expecting you.” Of course he had. The words made her stomach twist. The heavy double doors swung open, revealing an office larger than most apartments. Dark oak walls. A crystal chandelier. A breathtaking view of the city. Everything about the room screamed power. And at the center of it all… Sat Xavier Blackwood. The billionaire who had built an empire before turning thirty. The man newspapers called The Ice King. The man she hated. He didn’t bother looking up from the papers on his desk. “You kept me waiting.” His deep voice sent an unexpected chill through her. Aria clenched her jaw. “You invited me.” Only then did he lift his eyes. Piercing blue. Cold enough to make anyone look away. She refused. “So,” Xavier said calmly, “you finally swallowed your pride.” “I came because I had no choice.” A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I know.” That answer irritated her even more. “My father’s company is failing because of you.” “No.” His voice remained calm. “It is failing because your father trusted the wrong people.” “You destroyed him!” “I finished what someone else started.” Silence filled the room. Aria wanted nothing more than to walk out. But she couldn’t. The bank had frozen every account. Employees hadn’t been paid in weeks. Suppliers were filing lawsuits. Her father’s heart condition had worsened after hearing the latest financial report. Everything was falling apart. And the only person who could stop it… Was sitting in front of her. She hated that. She hated him. “What do you want?” she asked quietly. Xavier leaned back in his chair. “You know what I can do.” “Name your price.” He studied her for a long moment. Long enough to make her uncomfortable. “I don’t want your money.” “I don’t have any.” “I know.” “I don’t have shares either.” “I know.” “Then what?” The room became painfully quiet. Xavier slowly stood. He walked around the desk with measured steps until he stopped directly in front of her. He was taller than she remembered. Close enough for her to notice the expensive cologne and the unreadable expression in his eyes. Without saying a word, he reached into a drawer and placed a thick document on the glass table between them. A contract. Aria frowned. “What is this?” “Read it.” She opened the first page. Her eyes skimmed over paragraphs of legal terms until one line made her freeze. Marriage Agreement Her breath caught. “No…” She flipped through the pages faster. There it was again. Bride. Husband. Duration: One Year. She looked up sharply. “This isn’t funny.” “I wasn’t trying to be.” “You’ve lost your mind.” “Have I?” She laughed bitterly. “You expect me to marry you?” “I expect you to make a decision.” “There has to be another way.” “There isn’t.” “I’d rather lose everything.” “Would you?” He slid a tablet across the table. Confused, Aria picked it up. A breaking news headline filled the screen. VALE GROUP TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY TOMORROW MORNING. Beneath it… Another notification appeared. Court approves seizure of remaining Vale family assets. Her hands began to shake. “No…” “It becomes official at nine o’clock tomorrow.” Tears burned behind her eyes, but she forced them back. “You planned this.” “No.” “I don’t believe you.” “You don’t have to.” He turned toward the windows, his back facing her. “The company can still be saved.” Hope flickered inside her. “You’ll help?” “Yes.” She took one step forward. “On one condition.” She already knew the answer. Even before he spoke. Xavier turned to face her once more. His icy blue eyes locked onto hers. Then, with a calmness that made her blood run cold, he said, “Marry me, Aria… or by tomorrow morning, your family will lose everything.” Aria stared at him in disbelief. Then Xavier picked up the contract… …and turned it to the last page. There, beneath the line meant for her signature— Was a signature that made the color drain from her face. Her father’s.