BOUND BY FATE

Chapter 4

Clarkson Jewels — First Day at Work

Alex's eyes lifted from his desk as his office doors swung open.

Emilia stood there, her expression blank.

For a brief second, he let his gaze trail over– she was dressed professionally, a sleek white blouse tucked into a fitted black pencil skirt, her long dark hair cascading over one shoulder.

He had spent four years searching for her.

And now, here she was.

Finally within his reach.

She stepped inside, placing the signed contract on his desk.

“I'll do it”, she said.

A slow, victorious smirk tugged at the corner of Alex's lips.

“Smart choice”, he murmured, picking up the contract and flipping through the pages.

Emilia crossed her arms. “But I have conditions”,

He raised a brow. “Do you?”

“I keep my independence. I continue working at Clarkson Jewels as head designer. And Lily– she stays with me. No sudden changes to her life. No unnecessary interference”.

Alex leaned back in his chair, watching her.

She was trying to establish control.

He respected that.

But he was the one in charge here.

“Fine”, he said smoothly. “But I have conditions of my own”.

Emilia stiffened. “Which are?”

“You and Lily will move in with me. Immediately”.

Her breath caught.

“No”.

Alex tilted his head. “You don't have a choice, Emilia. If we're going to convince the world that this engagement is real, we need to live together”.

Her nails dug into her palms.

She hated that he was right.

“And?” she prompted, her voice tight.

“You will attend every event, every social function, and every business dinner by my side”. He leaned forward, his piercing green eyes locking onto hers. “You will play the part of my devoted fiancée flawlessly”.

Emilia's stomach twisted.

She was trapping herself in his world.

But she had no choice.

She lifted her chin, refusing to let him see her hesitation.

“Fine”, she bit out.

Alex's smirk deepened.

“Welcome to your new life, sweetheart”.

The Penthouse & The Public Reveal

Clarkson Penthouse - Moving Day

Emilia stood in front of the massive glass doors, gripping her suit case.

It felt like she was willingly walking into a lion's den.

Alex's penthouse was nothing short of a modern fortress– high above the city, with a panoramic view of New York’s skyline, the kind of place only the richest of the rich could afford.

Lily clutched her hand, her small voice filled with excitement.

“Mommy, is it because of your job? Are we going to live in a castle?”

Emilia forced a smile. “Something like that, baby”.

A castle with a cold-hearted king.

The doors opened before she could change her mind, revealing Alex standing inside, his suit crisp, his posture effortlessly commanding.

He barely glanced at Emilia before his gaze zeroed in on Lily.

The little girl blinked up at him, curiosity shinning in her bright green eyes– his eyes.

His jaw clenched.

That was his daughter.

And she had no idea.

“Come in”, Alex said smoothly, stepping aside.

Emilia hesitated, then pulled Lily along, crossing the threshold into his world.

Later That Night - Tension & Boundaries

Alex leaned against the sleek marble kitchen counter, watching as Emilia unpacked thier things.

“This isn't going to work if you keep treating me like the enemy”, he said casually.

Emilia didn't even look at him.

“You are the enemy”.

Alex smirked. “That's not very fiancée-like of you”.

She shot him a glare. “We may be playing pretend, but I have rules. Stay out of my business. Stay out of my personal space. And most importantly– stay away from my daughter.”

Alex’s expression darkened.

“Your daughter?” he repeated, his voice dangerously soft.

Emilia's stomach twisted.

She had slipped up.

Alex pushed off the counter, stepping closer.

“You seem to be forgetting something, sweetheart”. He leaned down, his voice low and possessive. “Lily is my daughter too. And the more you try to keep her from me, the more I'll make sure you regret it”.

Emilia swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table.

She wasn't sure if it was fear or something else entirely making her heart pound.

But she wasn't about to back down.

“We had a deal, Mr. Clarkson”, she said firmly. “You wanted a fiancée. Not a family”.

For a moment, he just stared at her.

Then he stepped back, his smirk returning.

“Careful, Emilia”, he murmured. “You don't want to make me change the terms of our deal.”