THE 20 MILLION CONTRACT

THE OFFER

CHAPTER 12

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_Tuesday - 9:00 AM - Hart Tower - 47th Floor_

The contract was on the table.

Thick. Black folder. Gold lettering:

*CONFIDENTIAL - EMPLOYMENT + MARRIAGE AGREEMENT*

Sophia didn’t touch it.

Ethan sat across from her. Suit. No smile.

Richard sat at the head of the table. Smiling.

Like this was a game.

"Read it," Richard said. "Out loud."

Sophia opened it. Her hands were steady. She was lying.

*CLAUSE 1: TERM*

One year. Beginning immediately. Ending one year from today.

*CLAUSE 2: PAYMENT*

Twenty million USD. 10 million upon signing. 10 million upon completion.

*CLAUSE 3: DUTIES*

Appear as Mrs. Ethan Hart. Public events. Family dinners. Board meetings.

No dating others. No speaking to press. No quitting.

*CLAUSE 4: CONFIDENTIALITY*

Breach results in full repayment + 10 million penalty.

Sophia’s voice didn’t shake. "And clause 5?"

Richard leaned forward. "Ah. Clause 5."

Ethan’s jaw ticked.

*CLAUSE 5: TERMINATION*

Contract may only be terminated by mutual agreement.

Or by death.

The room went quiet.

"Death," Sophia repeated.

"Standard legal language," Richard said quickly. Too quickly. "Don’t worry about it."

Sophia looked at Ethan. "Did you know about this?"

Ethan shook his head. Once. "No."

Richard smiled. "Details. Sign it, Ms. Cullens. 10 million is waiting in your account."

Sophia stared at the pen.

10 million.

Enough for Chidi’s treatment. For 5 years. For a house. For never worrying again.

And one year of her life.

She picked up the pen.

---

_10:17 AM_

The signature was dry.

Sophia Cullens.

Mrs. Sophia Hart.

Richard clapped once. "Wonderful. Marcus will show you to your new apartment. In the building. For appearances."

"She’s not moving in with me," Ethan said.

"She is," Richard said. "Clause 3. Family dinners."

Ethan stood. "We’re done here."

He grabbed Sophia’s elbow. Gentle but firm.

"Come on."

In the elevator, it was silent.

"You didn’t have to do that," Sophia said.

"I didn’t know about clause 5," Ethan said. "I swear."

Sophia nodded. "I believe you."

The doors opened. 52nd floor. Penthouse.

It was huge. White. Cold.

Pictures of Ethan’s mother on the walls. No pictures of Richard.

"Your room is there," Ethan said, pointing. "Mine is there. We don’t have to—"

"I know," Sophia cut him off. "It’s fake."

Ethan looked at her. Really looked.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For this."

Sophia set her bag down. 10 million in her account.

And a year ahead of her.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

_First payment received. -R_

She deleted it.

---

_That Night - 8:00 PM - Family Dinner_

Richard’s house. Long table. Crystal.

Ethan sat at one end. Sophia at the other.

Like strangers.

Richard raised his glass. "To family."

Sophia forced a smile.

Halfway through dinner, Richard said, "So. Honeymoon?"

Sophia choked on her water.

"What?" Ethan said.

"A week. Maldives. For the press," Richard said. "Clause 3. Appearances."

Ethan stared at him. "No."

"It’s in the contract," Richard said. Sweet. "Read it."

Sophia pulled the folder from her bag. Flipped.

Page 9. Bottom.

_One 7-day trip required within first 3 months. Location: chosen by Mr. Richard Hart._

She looked up. "Maldives."

Ethan’s fists were under the table.

"Pack," Richard said. "Flight is Friday."

---

_11:00 PM - Penthouse_

Sophia was on the balcony.

Ethan came out with two glasses of water.

Handed her one.

"I’m sorry," he said.

"For what?" Sophia asked.

"For my father. For this. For all of it."

Sophia took a sip. "20 million."

"Was it worth it?" Ethan asked.

Sophia thought about hospital bills. About Chidi.

About the next year.

"Ask me in 365 days," she said.

Ethan nodded. Then, quieter:

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"If this wasn’t about money... would you have said yes?"

Sophia looked at the city.

"I don’t know," she said honestly.

Ethan didn’t reply.

But he didn’t leave the balcony either.

They stood there. Together.

Bound by a contract.

For 20 million.

For one year.

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