Episode 3
520 Words
Chapter 3 — The Contract
Seraphina didn't sleep that night.
She kept thinking about Alexander's proposal.
A fake marriage.
One year.
A contract.
It sounded absurd.
Yet the more she thought about it, the more she realized how badly her family needed help.
Her father's company was carrying enormous debts.
If the company collapsed, her parents could lose their home.
She couldn't allow that.
At six the next morning, she called Alexander.
“I'll do it.”
There was a pause.
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
That almost made him laugh.
“But I'll do it.”
“Come to my office.”
When Seraphina arrived, the contract was already waiting.
She read every page carefully.
Alexander had included everything.
Separate bedrooms.
No interference in personal affairs.
No public arguments.
No questions about private relationships.
And most importantly—
No falling in love.
Seraphina stared at the final clause.
“Did you write this yourself?”
“Yes.”
“You actually included 'falling in love' in a marriage contract?”
“It's necessary.”
She looked up.
“Why?”
“Because feelings complicate agreements.”
She shook her head.
“Fine.”
She signed.
Alexander signed immediately afterward.
The sound of the pen against paper felt strangely final.
Seraphina closed the folder.
“When do we get married?”
“Saturday.”
Her eyes widened.
“Saturday?”
“Yes.”
“In three days.”
“I know.”
“You planned this before I agreed.”
Alexander looked at her.
“I plan everything.”
She stood.
“I already regret this.”
“You'll survive.”
She walked toward the door.
“Alexander?”
“Yes?”
“If this is a fake marriage, why do you look so serious?”
He looked at her for several seconds.
“Because not everything about this is fake.”
Seraphina didn't understand what he meant.
She left.
That evening, the news broke.
Billionaire Alexander Kingsley Set to Marry Mysterious Woman.
Seraphina nearly dropped her phone.
“How did they find out already?”
Elena stared at the screen.
“This man moves fast.”
Seraphina read the article.
Her photograph had already been published.
Comments flooded the page.
Who is she?
Did she marry him for money?
What happened to Damian Blake?
Seraphina felt sick.
Then her phone rang.
Damian.
She stared at his name.
Elena noticed.
“Don't answer.”
Seraphina hesitated.
Then she answered.
“What do you want?”
“Seraphina, please.”
“There's nothing left to say.”
“I made a mistake.”
“You made a choice.”
“I want you back.”
She laughed quietly.
“You had me. You threw me away.”
“Don't marry Alexander.”
“Why?”
“Because he isn't who you think he is.”
Seraphina's heart tightened.
“What does that mean?”
Damian lowered his voice.
“Ask him what happened to his first fiancée.”
The call ended
.
Seraphina stared at her phone.
Her blood ran cold.
Alexander had never mentioned a first fiancée.
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