Secret behind the contract
722 Words
Mira stared at the file in complete disbelief.
MIRA ASHFORD — PRIVATE INVESTIGATION FILE.
Her hands tightened around the folder as panic and anger crashed through her chest at the same time.
What the hell was this?
Quickly, she flipped through the pages.
Photographs.
Schedules.
Background reports.
Even details about her charity projects and interviews from years ago.
It wasn’t just basic information.
Someone had studied her carefully.
A cold feeling crept down her spine.
Before she could continue, the office doors suddenly opened.
“Mira.”
Alexander’s voice stopped her instantly.
She turned sharply, still holding the file in her hands.
For the first time since meeting him, genuine shock crossed Alexander’s face.
Silence filled the room.
Then Mira laughed softly in disbelief.
“You investigated me?”
Alexander closed the doors behind him calmly, though tension visibly tightened his jaw.
“Mira—”
“No,” she snapped, stepping back. “You don’t get to say my name like everything’s normal.”
His eyes remained fixed on the file. “Give it to me.”
“That’s your concern right now?”
“Mira.”
“You had people watching me before we even met?”
Her voice cracked slightly despite her efforts to stay calm.
That annoyed her more than anything.
Alexander walked closer slowly, careful not to corner her.
“It wasn’t personal.”
“Oh, that makes it so much better.”
“You come from one of the most powerful families in the city. I needed information before approaching you.”
“You mean before manipulating me into your fake marriage?”
His expression darkened slightly. “That’s not what this is.”
“Then what is it?”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Alexander exhaled quietly.
“The board wanted someone else.”
Mira frowned.
“My grandfather wasn’t the only one demanding I marry,” he explained calmly. “Several board members wanted me connected to families that would strengthen their influence over the company.”
Understanding slowly dawned on her.
“This was political.”
“Yes.”
“And you chose me because…”
“Because you don’t play their games.”
The honesty in his voice caught her off guard.
Alexander stepped closer again, his gaze steady.
“You’re independent. Difficult. Uninterested in status. That made you the safest option.”
Mira stared at him in disbelief. “You make me sound like a security system.”
A faint trace of amusement almost appeared in his eyes.
“You’re also intelligent enough to survive this world.”
Her anger weakened slightly at the words, which irritated her deeply.
Still, she held up the file again. “This is still insane.”
“I know.”
“You should’ve told me.”
“Yes.”
The immediate agreement surprised her.
Alexander rarely admitted fault.
Silence settled heavily between them.
Then quietly, Mira asked the question bothering her most.
“How long were you watching me?”
Alexander’s gaze lowered briefly before returning to hers.
“Longer than you’d probably like.”
Her stomach tightened unexpectedly.
Before she could respond, her phone suddenly rang loudly.
Mira frowned at the unfamiliar hospital number flashing across the screen.
“Excuse me.”
She answered quickly while Alexander remained silent nearby.
“Hello?”
The woman on the line sounded professional but urgent.
“Miss Ashford? This is St. Vincent Medical Center regarding your recent test results.”
Mira stiffened slightly.
Right.
She had almost forgotten about the tests she took last week after weeks of exhaustion and dizziness.
Her voice lowered. “Is something wrong?”
There was a pause.
Then—
“We need you to come in immediately.”
Mira’s heartbeat slowed painfully.
“What do you mean immediately?”
“I’m afraid the doctor found something concerning in your scans.”
The room suddenly felt too warm.
Alexander noticed her expression instantly.
“Mira?”
She barely heard him.
The nurse continued speaking carefully, but the words blurred together after one sentence.
There appears to be a serious issue with your heart.
Fear hit her so suddenly she couldn’t breathe properly.
Her fingers loosened around the phone.
“Mira,” Alexander said again, moving closer now.
But before she could answer—
The room tilted violently.
And everything went black.
- Writer
