Married to Deceive..

The air in the hospital waiting room was musty, thick with antiseptic and tension. Eddie Winslow sat slouched on the thick plastic chair, her fingers clutching the edge of her dress like it was the only thing holding her down to the earth.her younger brother, Ethan, is inside the hospital, hooked to machines, lungs failing faster than the doctor's could imagine They needed to operate, but Eddie could not afford the bills. “Eddie Winslow” She looked up slowly. A man in a black the tailored suit stood in front of her, with an unreadable expression, holding a sleek brown envelope. I am John Grayson,I represent Mr.Damon Blackwood. Her heart trembled. That name. She stood up quietly,Mr.Damon Blackwood? ‘The one and only’ he said, giving her the envelope.”He has a proposal for you” Her hands trembled when taking the envelope, she was confused and cautious.why would Damon Blackwood give her an envelope,her thoughts were interrupted by the man. “He believes you are the only one who is suitable to fulfill a certain requirement” Before she could open her mouth to say a word, the man gestured to the elevator. “A car is waiting for you outside,I suggest you come with me” The ride to Blackwood Mansion was very silent, Eddie fixed her gaze at the tinted windows,arms crossed on her chest. ‘Damon Blackwood’ The man who has single handedly ruined her dad's company. The powerful CEO whose mergas swallowed empire.Eddie’s family once hosted galas, but now she works as a cleaner in an hotel and other night shift jobs in order to provide for herself and her brother.If Damon had anything to do with her again it couldn't be something good. The elevator opened directly into a luxurious office. He was already waiting for them. Damon Blackwood stood near the window, His frame was tall and immovable.he was dressed in a gray suit,his presence was calm and cool as he looked strikingly handsome, sharp cheekbones and blue eyes that looked icy. “Eddie Winslow” he said without turning “sit” She stood still. What do you want from me? He turned slowly, his eyes staring at her coldly. “A marriage” Eddie frowned”excuse me? ‘I need a wife’, temporarily, and you are suitable for it. Eddie let out a cold laugh, she got angry. “You must be sick in the head for making that statement.” His expression remained unchanged.”one year” as my wife, no love, no expectations, just signatures and public appearance. And in return? He Walked To his table, pushed forward another sleek brown envelope. “Two million dollars”, half of the money will be given to you if you accept the marriage and then you will receive the rest of the money after one year of the marriage.and of course your brother's surgery will commence immediately. Her here jumped,”how do you even know about Ethan”? “Nothing escapes my eyes, Eddie.I know everything including how desperate you are” Why me? She asked, almost yelling. ‘Because’he said slowly,I need someone whose name carries enough tragic innocence to sell a story.and because you are the daughter of the man who tried to destroy me.irony, isn't it? She clenched her fist”my father was a good man.people make mistakes.” Your father almost made me lose everything with false acquisitions.I lost someone dear to me because of him. The room went silent with his anger.Eddie stepped back, rage and confusion building up in her chest. “So this is your revenge then,? you want to publicly humiliate me? “No,” he replied coldly,"I just need a wife to fulfill the terms of a corporate merger.legal control, public image, and you are convenient. Your life tragedy only sweetens the story.” “Another if I decline?” He Crossed his arms.”then your brother won't get the surgery.and I will make sure your name is blacklisted in every medical fund in Los Angeles” Eddie's blood went cold. You can't! I can, and I will. She stared at him, stunned and speechless. “You are really a beast.” His eyes went cold, but he said nothing. Eddie looked away, gripping the envelope so tight that it almost crumbled in her hand.she can't do this, she shouldn't. But then she thought of her brother's pale face.the machines, the helplessness. She looked back at Damon” I want the agreement written,Every promise,my brother's surgery, the million.Everything. His lips curled though it wasn't a smile “Of course, I'm a man of business.” “And after one year? ‘We divorce peacefully,then you will walk away rich and free.’ She closed her eyes, the devil was offering her a deal and she is about to fall for it. What's the catch? She asked slowly. He leaned closer.voice cool and final”you are mine for one year” publicly, privately and fully. His voice echoed in her ears. “What if I break the contract?” Demon looked at her sharply “then you will lose everything, including your brother's life. The room went silent for a moment. Eddie opened the envelope. The contract was inside. And the pen. Her fingers hovered. She was scared, she thought about the kind of life she would be leaving from now on she was unsure of what she is putting herself into. This man is the reason why her life is a mess, she hates him so much that she even thought about killing him but she was powerless.her thought was interrupted by Damon's voices. “Having a double mind? Eddie looked at him sharply with eyes full of hatred and bitterness. He smirked,”I know you hate me so much But your hatred won't change anything.. the choice is yours”, “marry me save your brother's life and leave a free life or you decline the marriage and lose your brother.” He was right, life would become meaningless for her if she loses her brother as her sister is not to be found. With a shaky breath,she signed . Damon took the contract he's never leaving her face. “Good”he said, gently folding the contract away “welcome to the cage, Mrs.Blackwood.