Chapter 4 – I Think You’re in Trouble
1020 Words
Ryan leaned back in the leather chair across from Alex’s desk, legs crossed, arms spread wide like he owned the place. His usual smirk played on his lips, but his eyes were sharp.
“Okay, I’ll ask one more time,” Ryan said, tapping the edge of the desk. “Who is she?”
Alex didn’t look up from his laptop. “None of your concern.”
“See, that’s the thing—when something’s none of my concern, you don’t act this uptight. You bark, I leave. But right now, you’re tense. That means she’s a very big deal.”
Alex sighed and finally looked at him. “She’s under a contract.”
Ryan’s eyebrows shot up. “Contract? Is this another one of your company mergers or are we talking about something... personal?”
Alex didn’t answer. He folded his hands on the desk, gaze unreadable.
Ryan grinned wider. “You don’t bring women into your world, Alex. And when you do? They don’t walk out of your office with fire in their eyes and sarcasm in their mouth.”
“That sarcasm is going to get her in trouble,” Alex muttered.
Ryan chuckled. “I like her already.”
Alex stood and walked to the window, adjusting the cuff of his shirt with methodical ease. “She agreed to a one-year marriage contract. In exchange, her father’s debts are cleared. She gets protection. I get peace.”
Ryan blinked. “Wait. Marriage? Marriage, marriage?”
Alex turned slightly. “Fake, of course. Legal on paper, convincing enough to the press, the board, and my family.”
“Jesus, man.” Ryan ran a hand through his hair, the smirk fading. “You really went there.”
“I needed a wife fast. She fit the criteria.”
“And let me guess... you didn’t exactly explain what she was getting into, did you?”
“She signed the contract. That’s all that matters.”
Ryan let out a low whistle and stood. “You’ve had models, heiresses, actresses—all crawling into your penthouse, dying for your last name. But this girl... she looks at you like she’s debating whether to punch you or run.”
Alex didn’t respond.
Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice. “And yet... you keep looking at her like she’s the first person who ever dared to speak to you like a human.”
A tense silence followed.
Then Alex muttered, “She’s... different.”
Ryan froze. “Holy hell. You’re in trouble.”
He turned to leave, then paused and grinned over his shoulder. “By the way… what do you think Vanessa will do when she sees Emma?”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Vanessa isn’t my concern.”
“Maybe not yours,” Ryan said, laughing. “But I’m pretty sure your fake wife might get clawed in public if she makes the mistake of smiling too long beside you. Vanessa’s been circling you like a vulture since the day you cut her off.”
“She won’t matter.”
“You really believe that?” Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Because I can already see the headlines. And I can’t wait.”
---
Emma sat cross-legged on the floor of her tiny living room, arms wrapped around a pillow. Her contract copy lay open in front of her, unread, and her phone buzzed loudly beside it.
Tasha’s voice exploded through the speaker. “I’m here! You sounded like you were hyperventilating—what the hell happened?!”
Emma hesitated. “Okay... promise you won’t scream?”
“I make no such promise.”
“I did something kind of... insane.”
Tasha groaned. “Oh God. What now?”
Emma took a breath. “I signed a one-year contract. With Alex Donovan.”
Silence.
“As in the Alex Donovan?” Tasha said, voice rising. “The billionaire? The ice king? The man who literally sent a wine glass flying at a reporter for asking about his love life?!”
“Yes, that Alex Donovan.”
“Oh my God, Emma. Did he blackmail you?! Are you in danger?!”
“No! I mean—he offered to clear my dad’s debts. All of them. Medical bills, the house, everything.”
“And in return?”
Emma swallowed. “I have to pretend to be his wife for a year.”
The silence was deafening this time.
Then came the yell. “You WHAT?!”
Emma winced. “I know it’s crazy. But I didn’t have options, Tash. He made it very clear—he needed someone fast, someone quiet, and... I was desperate. I thought I could handle it. Attend a few charity events, smile when the cameras are on—”
“You signed yourself over to Alex Donovan like some bargain wife?! Girl, you said he threatened to replace you already!”
Emma rubbed her forehead. “Yeah. He said I was convenient. That he could swap me out at any time.”
“Wow. Charming.”
“I didn’t expect him to be... like that. I mean, I knew he was cold, but not this intense. It’s like working for a machine that glares at you.”
“Emma,” Tasha said more softly now, “you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I know you love your dad. I do too. But this? This isn’t saving him. It’s sacrificing you.”
Emma’s voice cracked. “I just want to help. I can survive it. I’ll follow every rule, do every fake smile. Just until the year ends.”
“Fine,” Tasha said, “but you better promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“Don’t fall for him. Not even a little. That man is ice cold. And girls who play with fire end up burned.”
Emma gave a weak laugh. “Don’t worry. There’s nothing warm about him.”
Tasha sighed. “Just don’t forget who you are in the middle of all this.”
“I won’t,” Emma said, though she wasn’t so sure anymore.
---
- Writer
