Chapter 4
940 Words
Lockwood Tower rose above the city like a monument built for power.
Celeste stood across the street, staring at the glass skyscraper that seemed to touch the clouds.
People hurried in and out of the building wearing expensive suits and confident expressions.
Meanwhile, her palms were damp with sweat.
She felt completely out of place.
For several seconds, she considered turning around.
Leaving.
Running.
Anything but stepping inside and meeting the man who had somehow become the center of her nightmare.
But she already knew there was nowhere to run.
Taking a deep breath, she crossed the street.
The moment she entered the lobby, every sound seemed to fade.
The marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers.
The receptionists wore perfect smiles.
Everything looked flawless.
Cold.
Untouchable.
Just like the man she was about to meet.
A receptionist immediately approached.
"Miss Wren?"
Celeste nodded.
"Mr. Lockwood is expecting you."
Of course he was.
The woman guided her toward a private elevator.
The ride upward felt endless.
Floor after floor passed by.
With every number that lit up, her heart beat faster.
When the doors finally opened, she found herself standing in a quiet hallway.
The receptionist stopped before a pair of dark wooden doors.
"He's inside."
Then she left.
Just like that.
Celeste was alone.
Her stomach twisted.
She stared at the doors for several seconds before forcing herself to knock.
A deep voice answered immediately.
"Come in."
Her pulse jumped.
She pushed the doors open.
The office was enormous.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.
Bookshelves lined one wall.
Modern artwork decorated another.
Yet none of that captured her attention.
The man standing near the windows did.
Zayden Lockwood.
He was taller than she expected.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair.
Sharp features.
Everything about him radiated confidence and control.
He looked less like a businessman and more like someone accustomed to getting whatever he wanted.
The moment their eyes met, Celeste understood why people feared him.
His gaze was calm.
Steady.
Unreadable.
As though he could see through every lie a person had ever told.
Neither spoke for a moment.
The silence stretched.
Uncomfortable.
Heavy.
Then he walked toward her.
His expression remained unchanged.
No smile.
No warmth.
Nothing.
"You came."
His voice was lower than she expected.
Celeste crossed her arms.
"I wasn't given much choice."
Something flickered in his eyes.
Gone before she could identify it.
He motioned toward a chair.
"Sit."
It sounded less like a request and more like an order.
Celeste hated that.
Still, she sat.
Zayden remained standing.
Towering over her.
Studying her.
The silence returned.
Finally, she spoke.
"Why me?"
The question escaped before she could stop it.
His gaze never left hers.
"What do you mean?"
"You're rich."
She shrugged.
"Powerful. Successful."
Her voice sharpened.
"You could marry anyone."
His expression remained completely calm.
"So why me?"
A muscle tightened in his jaw.
For the first time, he looked away.
Toward the city beyond the glass.
When he spoke again, his voice sounded colder.
"Because you fit the requirements."
The answer hit harder than it should have.
Requirements.
Not qualities.
Not feelings.
Requirements.
As though she were applying for a position rather than discussing marriage.
Celeste laughed softly.
A humorless sound.
"That's romantic."
His face remained expressionless.
"I'm not looking for romance."
The honesty stung.
Yet somehow she appreciated it.
At least he wasn't pretending.
"What exactly are you looking for?"
He turned toward her again.
"A temporary arrangement."
There it was.
The truth.
Simple.
Brutal.
Businesslike.
No illusions.
No false promises.
Just a transaction.
Like her parents had already proven.
Zayden walked toward his desk and opened a folder.
He placed several papers in front of her.
"A one-month marriage contract."
Celeste stared at the documents.
The words blurred for a moment.
One month.
Not forever.
Not even a year.
Just one month.
Her fingers tightened against her lap.
"And after that?"
"Divorce."
The answer came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Without emotion.
As though the outcome had already been decided.
Celeste looked down at the papers.
Then back at him.
"Why would anyone agree to that?"
For the first time, something resembling amusement crossed his face.
It disappeared almost immediately.
"Because both parties benefit."
His eyes settled on hers.
"You'll gain financial security."
The words felt like a slap.
Not because they were untrue.
Because they reminded her exactly how this entire situation began.
Money.
Always money.
She rose from her chair.
"I don't care about your money."
His gaze sharpened.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely interested in something she had said.
Most people would have been impressed.
Excited.
Grateful.
Instead, she looked angry.
Hurt.
Defiant.
And somehow he couldn't stop watching her.
The room fell silent again.
A strange tension settled between them.
Neither moved.
Neither looked away.
Then Zayden spoke.
"You should read the contract."
Celeste took the folder.
Her eyes skimmed the pages.
The terms were detailed.
Cold.
Clinical.
Everything was planned.
Everything except one thing.
She looked up.
"What happens if I refuse?"
For the first time, genuine silence filled the room.
Not awkward.
Not uncomfortable.
Dangerous.
Zayden's expression became unreadable.
Slowly, he stepped closer.
Close enough that she could feel the weight of his presence.
Close enough that her heartbeat stumbled.
When he finally answered, his voice was quiet.
Far too quiet.
"Then your family's debt becomes due immediately."
The color drained from Celeste's face.
Her fingers tightened around the contract.
And for the first time since entering the office, she realized something terrifying.
This meeting had never been about giving her a choice.
It had only been about making her understand the price of saying no.
- Writer
