The marriage contract
797 Words
The private elevator doors opened silently into the top floor of Knight Holdings.
Mira stepped out slowly, instantly surrounded by luxury so polished it almost felt intimidating. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, sunlight reflecting against black marble floors and sleek silver decor.
Everything about this place screamed power.
A sharply dressed assistant approached her politely. “Miss Ashford? Mr. Knight is expecting you.”
Of course he was.
Mira followed her through a pair of massive double doors into Alexander’s office.
He stood near the windows with one hand in his pocket, dressed in a charcoal suit that looked criminally expensive. Even without turning around, his presence dominated the room.
“You came,” he said calmly.
“You sound surprised.”
“I don’t like assuming people will do what I want.”
Mira nearly laughed. “That’s hard to believe coming from a billionaire.”
Alexander finally turned to face her. His expression remained unreadable as always, but there was something sharp in his gaze — like he had been studying her from the moment she walked in.
“Would you like coffee?” he asked.
“No.”
“Tea?”
“No.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You always this difficult in the morning?”
“I’m trying to figure out why I’m here before caffeine makes me regret it.”
To her satisfaction, amusement flickered briefly across his face.
Alexander gestured toward the long table in the center of the office. A thick document rested there neatly.
Mira froze slightly.
“Please tell me that isn’t what I think it is.”
“The contract.”
“Oh my God, you actually prepared paperwork.”
Alexander sat down smoothly. “I told you this was an arrangement.”
Mira walked closer reluctantly, staring at the document like it might attack her.
“You’re serious.”
“Entirely.”
She slowly sat across from him. “Fine. Explain.”
Alexander folded his hands calmly.
“The marriage would last one year.”
“One year?” Mira repeated.
“Yes. Publicly, we appear as a normal married couple. Attend events together. Maintain appearances. After one year, we divorce quietly.”
Mira blinked. “You planned this down to the expiration date?”
“I prefer structure.”
“That’s terrifying.”
Unbothered, Alexander continued.
“You would keep your career, your independence, and your personal freedom. I have no interest in controlling your life.”
That caught her attention.
Most men in her world wanted obedience disguised as devotion.
Alexander sounded like he was negotiating a merger.
“What do you gain from this besides public image?” she asked carefully.
For the first time, silence lingered.
Then Alexander answered quietly, “My grandfather’s inheritance clause.”
Mira frowned.
“He believes I need a wife to prove stability before fully handing over control of the company.”
“So this is about money.”
“It’s about maintaining what I built.”
Mira studied him carefully.
For someone so powerful, there was something strangely lonely about him.
Cold.
Controlled.
Like he trusted contracts more than people.
“You really don’t believe in love, do you?” she asked softly.
Alexander’s jaw tightened almost invisibly.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Like experience had taught him that lesson personally.
Before Mira could ask more, voices suddenly echoed outside the office.
Alexander glanced toward the windows overlooking the street below.
His expression darkened slightly.
“That’s earlier than expected.”
“What is?”
“My grandfather apparently informed the press I’m making an announcement today.”
Mira’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
Before Alexander could answer, his assistant hurried inside looking stressed.
“Sir, reporters are gathering downstairs. They think you’re announcing your engagement.”
Mira stood immediately. “Absolutely not.”
Alexander remained calm. “Relax.”
“Relax? There are reporters downstairs waiting for an engagement announcement I didn’t agree to!”
“They won’t leave without a statement.”
“That sounds like a you problem.”
Alexander stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.
“Then help me solve it.”
Mira opened her mouth to argue again when cameras suddenly flashed through the glass entrance downstairs.
More reporters flooded the lobby.
Questions shouted loudly.
“Mr. Knight!”
“Who’s the woman with him?”
“Is it true you’re engaged?”
Mira looked horrified. “This is insane.”
Alexander’s gaze locked onto hers steadily.
“Trust me.”
“Why would I do that?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, before Mira could react, Alexander pulled her gently toward him and crashed his lips against hers right in front of the reporters watching below.
And instantly—
The entire building exploded into chaos.
- Writer
