TERMS AND CONDITIONS
910 Words
Sophia stood outside the towering Blackwood Group headquarters, clutching her handbag tightly against her chest.
The same building that had filled her with anger just days ago now filled her with something worse.
Defeat.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment before taking a deep breath.
“This is for Mom,” she whispered to herself.
“And nothing else.”
The revolving glass doors opened as she stepped inside.
The receptionist immediately recognized her.
“Good afternoon, Miss Carter.”
Before Sophia could respond, Ethan appeared from the private hallway.
“It seems you’ve made your decision.”
She looked away.
“I only came to listen.”
Ethan smiled politely.
“Of course.”
The private elevator carried them to the top floor in complete silence.
This time, Sophia wasn’t distracted by the beautiful view or the luxurious surroundings.
Her thoughts were elsewhere.
When the elevator doors opened, Ethan stopped in front of Damian’s office.
“He has been expecting you.”
Sophia frowned.
“You knew I would come back?”
Ethan smiled.
“I had a feeling.”
He gently pushed the office door open.
Damian stood beside the large window with his back to the room.
Without turning around, he spoke.
“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come.”
Sophia walked inside.
“I almost didn’t.”
Only then did Damian turn to face her.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them smiled.
Neither of them looked away.
Damian gestured toward the chair in front of his desk.
“Please.”
This time…
Sophia sat down.
A small victory.
Damian noticed it immediately.
“I assume you’ve thought about my proposal.”
“I’ve thought about my mother.”
His expression remained calm.
“That’s understandable.”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“I’m not here because I want your money.”
“I know.”
“I’m here because I don’t have another choice.”
“I know that too.”
Those words irritated her.
“You seem to know everything.”
“I prefer being prepared.”
She folded her arms.
“I still think this whole idea is ridiculous.”
“Perhaps.”
“But it’s effective.”
Damian opened the same folder and placed the contract on the desk between them.
“This agreement lasts for one year.”
“You will live with me.”
“You will attend family gatherings.”
“You will pretend to be my wife in public.”
“In return, I will pay for your mother’s surgery, cover all medical expenses, and provide financial security for the duration of the contract.”
Sophia listened quietly.
When he finished…
She slowly pushed the contract back toward him.
Damian raised an eyebrow.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes.”
“I have my own conditions.”
For the first time…
Damian looked genuinely surprised.
“My conditions?” he repeated.
“Take them or forget the contract.”
Silence settled between them.
Then…
A slow smile appeared on Damian’s face.
“Go on.”
Sophia straightened in her chair.
“First…”
“My mother must never know this marriage is fake.”
Damian nodded.
“Agreed.”
“Second…”
“You will treat her with respect.”
“I won’t allow anyone to use her to control me.”
“Agreed.”
“Third…”
“If anyone insults me because of my background…”
“You will not stand there and watch.”
Damian didn’t hesitate.
“I won’t.”
She continued.
“And lastly…”
“When this contract ends…”
“You let me go.”
“No arguments.”
“No trying to change my mind.”
“We walk away.”
Damian studied her quietly.
Then…
He extended his hand across the desk.
“Agreed.”
Sophia stared at his hand for several seconds.
Slowly…
She reached forward and shook it.
The deal had been made.
Neither of them noticed Ethan standing outside the office door.
He smiled to himself.
For the first time since he had started working for Damian…
Someone had managed to negotiate with his boss.
Inside the office, Damian picked up a pen and placed it gently beside the contract.
“You should read every page before signing.”
Sophia looked at him in surprise.
“You trust me to take it home?”
“I don’t want you signing out of desperation.”
“I want you signing because you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to.”
She looked at the thick document.
Then back at Damian.
For the first time…
She saw something she hadn’t expected.
Respect.
She picked up the contract.
“I’ll read it.”
Damian gave a single nod.
“I’ll wait.”
As Sophia walked toward the door, she paused.
Without turning around, she quietly asked,
“Why me?”
The office fell silent.
Damian’s answer came only a moment later.
“Because when everyone else looked at me…”
“…they saw my money.”
“You were the first person who looked at me…”
“…and saw a man you weren’t afraid to disagree with.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say.
She tightened her grip on the contract and quietly walked out.
For the first time since this strange journey began…
She wasn’t just carrying a contract.
She was carrying a decision that could change the rest of her life.
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