Emily's hand trembled as she stared at the signature she had just placed on the contract.
It was done.
There was no turning back.
For a moment, the room felt unbearably silent.
Alexander Knight picked up the document and glanced at her signature. A satisfied look crossed his face.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Knight."
Emily's stomach tightened.
The title felt strange.
Unreal.
She wasn't marrying for love.
She wasn't marrying for happiness.
She was marrying to save her family.
"I haven't married you yet," she replied coldly.
Alexander smirked.
"That will change tomorrow."
Emily froze.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"You expect me to marry you in one day?"
"I expect you to honor the agreement you signed."
Emily wanted to argue, but she knew it would be pointless.
Alexander Knight was a man who always got what he wanted.
And now, apparently, he wanted her.
"Why me?" she finally asked.
Alexander's expression darkened.
For a brief moment, something unreadable flashed across his face.
"Because you're the perfect choice."
Emily frowned.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only answer you're getting."
The frustration inside her grew stronger.
Everything about this man was a mystery.
His wealth.
His power.
His cold personality.
And now this sudden marriage.
Nothing made sense.
Just then, Alexander's assistant entered the office.
"Sir, the preparations have already started."
Emily blinked.
Preparations?
Alexander nodded.
"Good."
The assistant handed him a file before leaving.
Alexander turned toward Emily.
"A wedding dress will be delivered to your apartment tonight."
Emily stared at him.
"You already planned everything?"
"Of course."
"You never doubted I would refuse?"
Alexander stepped closer.
His gray eyes locked onto hers.
"No."
Emily hated how confident he sounded.
Yet deep inside, she knew he had been right.
Her mother's treatment.
The debts.
The threats.
She had no choice.
Alexander had known that from the beginning.
The realization made her feel trapped.
For the first time in her life, she felt like her future no longer belonged to her.
"You're controlling," she muttered.
Alexander chuckled.
"And you're stubborn."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"You don't know me."
"Then I suppose we have plenty of time to learn about each other."
The words sent an unexpected shiver through her.
Tomorrow she would become Mrs. Alexander Knight.
A complete stranger's wife.
A billionaire's bride.
And somehow, she had a feeling that the real trouble was only beginning.
Outside the office window, dark clouds gathered over the city.
A storm was coming.
Neither Emily nor Alexander knew that their marriage would soon attract dangerous enemies, shocking secrets, and feelings neither of them were prepared for.
Their contract had begun.
But their love story was only getting started.