The CEO’s Contract Bride

Chapter 4

Bound by contract

My mind a jumble of bewilderment and annoyance scrambled as I paced the length of my living room. Grandma was gone, and the home seemed to reverberate with her absence. The grief was still fresh. But my grief was not limited to the loss of Grandma. That persistent concern was why Alexander would not end our contract marriage when the main reason for it had ended.

With Grandma dead, I had thought Alexander would see sense and let me out of the arrangement. I had no desire to become involved in the vicious business world or the never-ending power battles inside the Sinclair family. I want my independence and life restoration.

Sighing determinedly, I reached for my phone and called Alexander. I wanted explanations.

Alexander's voice came through the line, "Emma," as calm and collected as always.

” Could you perhaps visit? Trying not to seem hurried, ” I asked.

He said, after a little hesitation, "I'll be there in an hour."

Alexander showed up on time, as he said. Stepping into the living room, he was intimidating and dominating. When he noticed my upset look, his normally icy, calculating gaze melted a little.

”What is it Emma?” he asked.

I inhaled deeply. "Alexander, I don't see why this marriage contract still binds us. Grandma is dead. The agreement called for respecting her request, but she is no longer with us. Could we not simply call it quits?”

Alexander clenched his jaw, averted his eyes for a while, and then met mine. “ Things are not that easy. Beyond just a piece of paper, the contract is more. This is a legally and financially significant binding arrangement."

Still, "Why?" Nearly whispering, “Given all the turmoil in your family, why are you so adamant about keeping me attached to you?”

Alexander felt a shadow over his face and his eyes clouded. “ Because, Emma, there are things you are ignorant of. Business rivals, enemies in my family, would interpret our divorce as a weakness. It would provide them with the necessary leverage to make their move.”

My spine tingled. "Alexander, these confrontations are not for me. I never agreed to be involved in this.

He answered, "I know," quite quietly. "The contract, however, cannot be ended. Both of us are required to honor the terms. As much for your protection as mine."

His comments carried a great deal of weight. For now, at least, I am forced to comply. Though I was terrified of being pulled into Alexander's perilous realm, I was powerless to resist. Not quite yet.

I responded, "All right," a quiver in my voice. "I'll do as the contract says. But guarantee one thing to me."

"What is that?" Alexander questioned, his countenance easing.

Give me your word that you will take all reasonable steps to keep me safe. I am not up to this by myself."

Alexander moved closer, his gaze riveting mine with such intensity that my breath seized. Emma, I swear. I refuse to permit anything to happen to you."

The doorbell rang, shocking us both, just as I was going to answer. Alexander, scowling, turned to face the door. When he opened it, a sombre-looking man in a dark suit was there.

We have an issue, Mr. Sinclair remarked.

Alexander drew in his eyes. It is what?

The man gave me a sidelong glance and then said softly, “Richard, your brother, he’s been kidnapped.”

My blood cooled. In the Sinclair family, Alexander's brother Richard was a formidable figure with a long list of foes and brutal methods. Had he been abducted, the danger was imminent.

Alexander's eyes flashed a whirlwind of emotions as his face stiffened. Then he said, "Who took him?"

"We're not sure," the man said. We do, however, have good grounds to think it has to do with the continuing family dispute.

Alexander turned to face me, resolve and rage mixed.”I was just referring to this. Around me, you're safer. Though I have to take care of this, I won't let you get caught in the crossfire."

Heart pounding, I nodded. It became brutally obvious how bad things were. I was enmeshed in a network of treachery and peril, above my head. At least temporarily, though, I had to trust Alexander.

I had a terrible suspicion that my life was about to get worse as Alexander departed to handle the situation. Everything about the contract marriage, the family conflicts, and the impending dangers appeared like a storm about to erupt. Right in the center of it, too.

I had to figure out a way to be safe and defend the people I loved. More real were the risks and the stakes than I could have ever dreamed. Knowing that, whatever would happen, I would have to be strong.

I silently vowed as the door shut behind Alexander. This, though, I could handle. I would work out how to get out from under the constraints that held me. And I would find the real reason Alexander insisted on our marriage at whatever costs.

I needed to be ready for the approaching storm.

The days went by, and I gradually came to accept the concept of a contract marriage to Alexander. After all, this was a performance front to honor Grandma's wish and negotiate the dangerous waters of his family's power conflicts. Reminding myself that feelings had no place in this arrangement, I resolved to participate and keep a distance.

But my universe was turned upside down once more as I was starting to embrace this way of thinking.

The doorbell rang in the quiet afternoon. I was sitting in the living room reading a book. Not expecting anyone, I went to the door with a mix of interest and caution. A woman stood there as I opened it, her look a mix of bitterness and will.

"Hello, Emma," she said with a crisp, clear voice. "I'm Cindy, Alexander's former girlfriend."

My heart skipped a beat. Cindy, please? Though Alexander had never personally mentioned her, I had heard whispers about her. "Cindy," I said, wary of my voice. "What are you doing here?"

Without waiting for an invitation, Cindy entered and looked about the room before fixing on me. "We have to talk," she said, her voice devoid of any space for debate.

I closed the door and pointed to her to settle in. "What is this about?"

Cindy inhaled deeply and focused sharply. " I came to caution you, Emma. The man you believe Alexander is not him. I could not stand by him anymore; he was involved in dangerous things. I left them because of this.

Trying to understand her words, my mind flew. " What exactly do you mean? Of what sort?"

"Illegal dealing, shady business practices," Cindy said, her voice shaking with feeling. " I tried to get him to see reason and change his behavior, but he was too firmly rooted in the sinister universe of his family. Knowing what he was engaged in, I could not stay with him."

I shook my head, wondering what was flooding over me. " Why should I believe you? This could be some sort of scheme to start problems. ”

Cindy grabbed a little notebook from her bag. " I am aware of your mistrust. I am so providing you with proof of this. See me in the café on Fifth Street tomorrow. I will walk you through everything.

Her eyes locked on me, a mix of urgency and honesty. " Be careful, Emma. Alexander comes from a dangerous and manipulative family. Let them not drag you into their universe.

She got up and left, leaving me standing there, my head a whirl with uncertainty and doubt. Though a nagging voice in my head urged me to pay attention, I wanted to discount her words as the babble of a sour ex-girlfriend.

That evening I was unable to fall asleep. Cindy's comments stayed with me, and I started to doubt all I knew about Alexander. Was he the merciless, dishonest man she detailed? Alternatively, was there more to the narrative?

My heart thumping with expectation, I showed up at the café on Fifth Street the following day. Cindy was already there, tensely seated at a corner table.

"Emma," she said as I settled down. "I'm glad you showed up."

"Show me the proof," I said, my voice steady despite a pounding heart.