His Contract Wife, His Unexpected Love

CHAPTER 2

The elevator doors opened, and Lily stepped into a quiet hallway that felt even colder than the lobby. A man in a dark suit stood waiting, his expression unreadable, and he nodded for her to follow him. She walked behind him, her footsteps soft against the floor, her heart beating faster with each step. They stopped in front of a large door, and he knocked once before opening it. “He’s expecting you,” the man said, then stepped aside.

Lily walked in slowly, her eyes adjusting to the wide office filled with sunlight from the tall windows. Behind a large desk sat a man who looked like he belonged in a different world entirely. Ethan Blake didn’t look up right away, his focus still on the papers in front of him. There was something calm and controlled about him, something that made the room feel smaller. When he finally lifted his gaze, his eyes met hers, sharp and steady.

“Sit,” he said, his voice low and direct, not unkind but not warm either. Lily moved to the chair across from him, sitting carefully as she placed her bag on her lap. She felt his eyes on her, studying her in a way that made her uneasy. For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the silence stretched longer than it should. Lily cleared her throat softly, trying to gather her courage.

“You said you could help me,” she began, her voice quieter than she wanted it to be. Ethan leaned back slightly, his expression unchanged, as if he had heard this many times before. “I can,” he replied, simple and certain, like there was no doubt in his mind. Lily felt a small spark of hope, but it quickly mixed with fear. She knew nothing came without a price, especially not from someone like him.

He reached for a document on his desk and slid it toward her, his movements smooth and controlled. “Everything you need is in there,” he said, watching her closely. Lily hesitated for a second before picking it up, her fingers trembling just a little. As her eyes moved across the page, her breath caught in her throat. The words felt heavy, almost unreal, like something out of a story she never wanted to be part of.

“It’s a contract marriage,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. Ethan didn’t react, as if her shock meant nothing to him. “One year,” he added calmly. “You’ll be my wife in public, attend events, and follow the terms listed.” Lily looked up at him, her heart pounding harder now, her thoughts spinning. “And in return?” she asked, even though she already knew.

“Your mother’s treatment will be fully covered,” he said, his tone steady, almost cold. “And you’ll receive financial support for the duration of the contract.” The room felt too quiet again, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Lily looked back at the paper, then at him, searching for something human in his face. But all she saw was control.

“Why me?” she asked, her voice stronger this time, even though her hands were still shaking. Ethan studied her for a moment, as if deciding how much to say. “Because you need this,” he answered simply. It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was the truth. Lily felt it settle in her chest, heavy and real.

She stood up suddenly, pacing a few steps as her mind tried to catch up with everything happening. This wasn’t just a job or a deal, it was her life, her future, her dignity. She thought about saying no, about walking away and finding another way. But every path she imagined led back to the same place, her mother lying in that hospital bed.