His contact bride: His biggest weakness

Damian Cole rarely felt pressure. He was the kind of man who carried the weight of multibillion dollar decisions with a calm, unreadable expression. But today, as he stood in the highest conference room of Cole Enterprises, staring at the skyline, something inside him tightened. He should have been celebrating. His company has finally gotten the opportunity for the biggest partnership, an expansion deal with P.H. Hartfield Holdings worth more than most corporations earned in a decade. A deal worth billions of dollars. But instead of approval, the board looked… nervous. A board member Mrs Chao slid a file across the glossy table. “Damian… Hartfield Holdings added an unexpected clause to the contract.” Damian didn’t sit. He didn’t blink. He simply waited. Mrs. Chao exhaled gently. “They require proof of marital stability. Their heir is very conservative about family values. They won’t partner with any CEO who isn’t legally married.” The room held its breath. Damian’s jaw tightened. “So they want me married.” “Before the signing meeting in three days,” She confirmed. The silence was heavy, almost painful. Mrs. Chao softened her voice. “They want someone who represents reliability, loyalty” Damian lifted a hand, stopping her. The irony hit him like a blow. Loyalty. He could still remember the way Vanessa walked out of his life months ago. No fight. No closure. Just… gone. She ghosted him the night after he proposed disappeared to London without a message, a reason, or even a goodbye. The media had dragged his name through weeks of humiliation, and even now, whispers lingered. He’d sealed away love after that. Closed the doors. Turned stone cold. And now they wanted him to parade a wife in front of the world. “If we lose this deal, Damian, our expansion plans will collapse. We”ll lose billions. Literally” This wasn’t about pride. This was survival. Damian exhaled slowly, the tension in his chest sharp. “I’ll figure something out.” It was the best he could offer. When the board left, he remained in the empty conference room, staring at the untouched coffee beside him. Marriage. The word felt foreign, heavy, ugly, even. But the contract was non negotiable. He pulled out his phone and dialed the only person he trusted. His sister. Emilia Cole showed up at his office in less than twenty minutes hair fluffy, heels loud, energy bright enough to irritate him instantly. “You look like you swallowed a lemon,” she said, closing the office door behind her. “Spit it out. What happened?” Damian rubbed a hand across his jaw. “I need a wife.” Emilia blinked once. Twice. Then burst into laughter. “Emilia,” he warned. She cleared her throat, still smiling. “Oh you are serious, You? A wife? Damian, you don’t even like people.” “It’s a requirement for the Hartfield deal.” Her smile faded. “Oh. You’re serious.” “I need someone believable, immediately. Someone who won’t try to meddle in my life. Someone who won’t expect anything emotional. A contract marriage I’m thinking just a year, she gets compensated and we both move on” “The challenge is getting someone who will agree to sign a contract immediately,” she added softly. He looked away, jaw tight. Emilia’s expression sobered. “Does this have anything to do with Vanessa” “No” Damian cut sharply. “This is business.” But Emilia wasn’t stupid. She saw the walls he built after Vanessa ran. She saw the way he change colder, quieter, harder. “You just need someone simple,” Emilia murmured. “Someone honest. Someone who won’t hurt you.” Damian simply nodded Later that evening, Emilia left with Damian’s stressed voice replaying in her head. Her brother needed help. And for the first time, she had no immediate solution. Her driver pulled over so she could grab a coffee before heading home. She ducked into a small, warm lit café that smelled of cinnamon and burnt espresso. The shop was loud and full of people and that’s when Emilia’s attention caught on a scene unfolding near the counter. A wealthy looking woman, drenched in gold jewelry and attitude, stood at the counter waving a coffee cup at the waitress’s face. “What is this trash? I asked for a caramel almond latte! Are you deaf or just incompetent?” The young lady stood her ground, her lips pressed into a firm line. “Ma’am, you ordered a regular latte. But I can remake what you want immediately” The woman scoffed. “Oh please. Lazy girls like you always make excuses. You’re lucky you even have a job.” The waitress inhaled deeply, her eyes calm but steady. “Ma’am, raising your voice and calling me names won’t make the situation better But if you’re patient, I’ll fix it.” A few customers chuckled, and the woman flushed red with embarrassment. “You fool, you must be fired!” she snapped. “I know the owner!” “Then you can let him know,” the young lady replied quietly. “But I won’t let anyone speak to me like that.” And the owner who had witnessed everything from the back walked forward and insisted the waitress apologize to the rude customer but she stood her ground and insisted she was the one deserving of the apology after all the insults the customer rained on her. “Then you leave me no choice, you are fired” replied the owner Emilia frowned. The girl’s shoulders stiffened, her lips parting in shock but she didn’t argue. She simply nodded, removed her apron, and placed it neatly on the counter. “Thank you for the opportunity,” she said softly. “I’ll get my things and leave.” Something about her composure stirred Emilia deeply. Intelligent. Courageous. Proud, even in humiliation. The perfect kind of real. The kind Damian needed. The kind he would never see coming. Emilia approached her just as the young woman stepped outside, hugging her bag tightly. “Excuse me,” Emilia called out. The girl turned, wiping her cheek quickly like she didn’t want anyone to see she had been crying. “Yes?” “My name is Emilia Cole,” she said gently. “I’m sorry about what you just experienced but if you don’t mind I’d like to talk to you about an opportunity.” The girl blinked. “I don’t understand.” “I saw what happened inside” Emilia offered a small smile. “you handled yourself with grace. Not many people can stand up to someone like that without losing their cool.” The girl looked embarrassed. “It wasn’t courage. I just couldn’t let him talk down on me anymore.” “Good,” Emilia said warmly. “My brother needs someone exactly like you.” The girl looked even more confused. “I’m… sorry? For what?” Emilia drew in a breath. “For a contract, a one year marriage contract.” The girl froze completely. Emilia softened her tone. “I know it sounds insane. But I promise, I’m not insane. And I’m not a scammer. My brother is trying to secure a partnership deal, they require him to be married. And after watching you today… I believe you’re the right person.” “I’m a waitress,” the girl whispered. “And that’s perfect,” Emilia said without hesitation. “You’re real and honest. Someone who won’t fall apart under pressure.” The girl hesitated. Her eyes were a soft, tired brown. Her voice carried honesty and humble strength. “What’s your name?” Emilia asked gently. “Sara,” she said. “Sara Hayes.” Emilia smiled, certain now. “Nice to meet you, Sara. I feel you might be the solution my brother is desperately looking for.” Sara looked stunned, torn between disbelief and silent hope. And Emilia felt it in her bones. This girl would change everything.