The lady who hated marriage 2
748 Words
Two hours later, the grand ballroom of the Valecrest Hotel glittered with wealth and influence.
Politicians.
CEOs.
Socialites.
Everyone dressed in luxury while pretending they cared more about charity than networking.
Mira moved through the crowd gracefully in a black satin gown, offering polite smiles when necessary. She accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
“This event gets more insufferable every year.”
Mira turned at the familiar voice. Her best friend, Elena Brooks, stood beside her wearing silver sequins and a bored expression.
“You came anyway,” Mira pointed out.
“I came for free champagne and rich gossip.”
Mira laughed softly.
Elena studied her face carefully. “Family dinner?”
“Obviously.”
“How bad?”
“They tried to emotionally blackmail me into marriage again.”
“Ouch.”
“Apparently, my uterus is expiring soon.”
Elena nearly choked on her drink laughing.
Before Mira could continue, movement near the entrance shifted the atmosphere in the room.
Conversations lowered.
Heads turned.
The energy changed instantly.
Mira frowned slightly. “What’s happening?”
Elena looked toward the entrance and groaned dramatically. “Oh no.”
“What?”
“That man.”
Mira followed her gaze. A tall man stepped into the ballroom wearing a perfectly tailored black suit that looked expensive enough to fund a small country. His presence alone commanded attention without effort.
Dark hair. Sharp jawline. Cold composure.
Power clung to him naturally.
Women watched him openly.
Men straightened instinctively.
Mira recognized him immediately.
Alexander Knight.
CEO of Knight Holdings.
Infamously ruthless.
Absurdly wealthy.
And according to every business magazine ever printed, emotionally unavailable.
“Why does he look like he owns everyone in the room?” Mira muttered.
“Because he probably does,” Elena replied.
Alexander moved through the crowd with calculated calm, acknowledging greetings with short nods. He looked bored by the attention surrounding him.
Then unexpectedly—
His gaze landed on Mira.
The air seemed to pause for one strange second.
Mira frowned slightly, confused by the intensity in his expression.
“Uh-oh,” Elena whispered.
“What?”
“He’s walking over here.”
Mira nearly rolled her eyes
Alexander stopped in front of them.
Up close, he looked even more intimidating.
His eyes were dark and unreadable, his expression controlled to the point of danger.
“Elena,” he greeted politely.
Elena blinked. “You know my name?”
“We met briefly at a board conference last year.”
Of course he remembered. Men like Alexander Knight remembered useful people.
Then his attention shifted to Mira.
“And you are?”
“Mira Ashford.”
Something flickered in his eyes. “Richard Ashford’s daughter.”
She stiffened slightly. “Unfortunately.”
Alexander studied her for a moment longer than socially necessary before speaking again. “You don’t seem happy to be here.”
“Neither do you.”
A dangerous kind of amusement entered his gaze. “Well observed.”
Elena looked between them like she was watching a tennis match.
Alexander reached for a champagne glass from a passing tray. “Tell me, Miss Ashford… what’s your opinion on marriage?”
Mira stared at him blankly. “What kind of question is that?”
“A simple one.”
She took a slow sip of champagne before answering. “I think most marriages are business arrangements people disguise as romance.”
Alexander’s eyes sharpened. “And if the arrangement was honest from the beginning?”
Mira tilted her head slightly. “What do you mean?”
For the first time since approaching them, Alexander looked genuinely interested.
“What if two people entered a marriage knowing exactly what it was?” he asked calmly. “No lies. No expectations of love. Just mutual benefit.”
Mira laughed once under her breath. “That sounds miserable.”
“Does it?” he asked quietly. His gaze held hers steadily. “No emotional manipulation. No betrayal. No false promises. Just terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties.”
Something about the way he said it made her stomach tighten slightly.
This wasn’t casual conversation anymore.
Alexander took another sip of champagne before saying the one thing she never expected to hear.
“Marry me, Mira.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even Elena nearly dropped her drink.
Mira blinked once, convinced she had misheard him. “…Excuse me?”
Alexander’s expression remained calm. “I’m offering you a contract marriage.”
- Writer
