Bound by the Billionaire’s Debt

UntitledChapter 1: The Golden Cage Episode

Vivian’s POV

The mahogany doors of Blackwood Enterprises felt more like the entrance to a prison than a company. Vivian Vance straightened her cheap blazer, her hands shaking. Just yesterday, her father had a stroke after Vance Logistics went under. Now, she was about to meet the man who held their future in his hands. "Mr. Blackwood will see you now," the receptionist said, her voice flat. Vivian took a deep breath, walked into the penthouse office, and saw Damian Blackwood standing by the window, looking out over the city. He didn’t turn right away, but his presence filled the room. "You're late, Miss Vance," Damian said, breaking the silence with his deep voice. He turned and met her eyes with a cold look. "Only two minutes, Mr. Blackwood," Vivian replied, trying to sound confident. "Traffic was." "I don't care about traffic. I care about efficiency," Damian cut her off, moving to his desk. He didn’t offer her a seat. Instead, he slid a thick document across the desk. The title read: MARRIAGE COMPACT AND ASSET TRANSFERS. "My family's debt is thirty million dollars," Vivian whispered, her mouth dry. "And your solution is... this?" "Let’s not get sentimental, Vivian," Damian said, his face unreadable. "My grandfather’s will says I have to marry and have an heir within a year to stay chairman. Your family needs thirty million dollars to keep your father out of jail and your business alive. I’m offering an exchange." "A service," she repeated, letting out a bitter laugh. "You want to buy a wife." "I’m buying convenience," Damian replied. "One year. We live together and go to public events, and you act like the perfect wife for the media and my board. After a year, we divorce quietly, your family’s debt is gone, and you get five million dollars." He stepped closer, and the smell of cedarwood and expensive cologne filled the air. He leaned in, his gray eyes narrowing. "Let me be clear, Miss Vance. This is a business deal. Don’t expect affection, don’t expect my time, and never fall in love with me. Do we have a deal?" Vivian looked at the pen on the contract, thinking of her father in the ICU and the debt collectors threatening their home. She closed her eyes, swallowed her pride, and picked up the pen. "We have a deal."