CONTRACT OF HEARTS

CHAPTER 4

Ava's POV

My hands trembled as I stared at the crisp sheet of paper in front of me. The word contract marriage blurred my vision, and I clutched my hands to my dress, desperate for some semblance of warmth or comfort.

Xander Blackthorn stood across of me, his piercing gaze unrelenting like he was sizing me up for battle. There was no trace of the man from last night - the man who had ignited something wide and fleeting in me. Instead he was cold, calculating and all business.

"This is insane," I muttered, shaking my head at the absurdity. "Why me? Out of the thousand women swoon around you?"

His jaw tightened as he crossed his arms, impatient imprinted on his face. ""Because you're already in the spotlight, thanks to those pictures and I need this to die down. Quickly."

A bitter laugh, bubbled inside me. "So, what? You're going to turn me into a kind of prop?"

"Think of it as a mutually beneficial relationship," he said, his tone clipped. “I’ve already saved you from going to prison. You’re welcome, by the way.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. He wasn't wrong- without him I'd be locked up behind bars for a crime I didn't commit. But the idea of marrying the arrogant Xander even on paper sounds absurd.

"And if I say no," I challenged, meeting his gaze head-on.

“Then you can explain yourself to the authorities when I withdraw my support,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “You’re innocent, right? I’m sure they’ll believe you eventually, but by then your ass will be serving jail time already."

I froze, my heart pounding with fear. This man was ruthless.

"What's in it for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"A clean slate," he replied. "Once the marriage ends, I'll ensure you are spotless and provide you with a financial settlement.

My mind whirled. Could I really trust him? Did I even have a choice?

“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, my voice shaky.

“You have until tomorrow,” Xander replied, turning to leave. “Don’t waste my time, woman."

I stood, my legs rooted to the spot as I watched him get back to his car and sped off without a second glance.

Vanessa and Andrew had end ruining my life and everything I had worked hard for. I clenched my fists in anger. No, I won't take this. I won't allow them to ruin everything I had worked hard.

Quickly, I board a taxi and made my way towards the office. My secretary eyes widened with shock.

"Miss Knight," she called her voice trembling. "You can't go inside," she said trailing after me. But I ignored her and stormed into Vanessa's office.

Vanessa sat at the edge of her desk, her legs wrapped around Andrew who stood between them. Their laughter died as they noticed me, their eyes widening with surprise. They had expected me to rot in jail.

I stormed into the office, fury boiling inside me. “Vanessa, how could you?” I demanded, my voice trembling with anger.

Andrew stepped in front of her, taking her hands. The sight made my chest ache, but I forced myself to focus.

“I trusted you both,” I continued, my gaze hard and unrelenting. “Vanessa, I gave you a chance when you were struggling, and this is how you repay me? Framing me for crimes I didn’t commit? How long has this betrayal been going on?”

Andrew had the audacity to scoff. "A few months actually. Honestly, Ava, you're too busy drowning in your failing law firm to notice anything else."

His words were like a slap. "Failing? What does that have to do with this?"

Vanessa slid off the desk, smoothing her skirt. “Oh, Ava, don’t play dumb. Your firm has potential—potential you’ve wasted with your idealistic nonsense about helping people who can’t pay. That’s why Andrew and I decided it was time to take over.”

I blinked, the room spinning around me. Take over? What are you talking about?"

Vanessa's expression hardened, the mask of friendship slipping away. "We've been setting this up for months. Andrew help me with leaking the files to make it look like you've been mishandling client funds. The board already doubts your leadership, and with this ‘scandal’ coming to light, they’ll have no choice but to push you out. Once you’re gone, I’ll step in to ‘save’ the firm.”

"You can't do this," I said, my voice trembling. "This firm is my life. I built it from nothing."

"And that's why you aren't fit to lead it," she snapped. "You're too sentimental, too naive. This is business and you aren't just cut out for it."

Then I turned towards Andrew. "I loved you."

Andrew chuckled darkly. "Oh, come on, Ava. Do you really think I love you?"

I clenched my fists, anger and betrayal surging through me. "You're going to regret this. Both of you." I turned, walking out of the office.

Vanessa called after. "Oh Ava, regret are for losers and that's what you are." Their mocking laugh trailed after me.

In my apartment, I sank into a couch, tears streaming down my cheeks. I had been a pawn in their games. Tears blurring my vision, my hands trembled as I flipped through the contract, the words blurring into a mess of legal jargons and conditions.

I felt my stomach churn. This wasn’t a partnership; it was ownership. But do I really have a choice. Anything to clear my name and get back my law firm, and only Xander Blackthorn can help me achieve that.

With a trembling hand I signed legibly under my name.

The next morning, I sat stifly with Xander as I struggled to keep my composure. The flash cameras and the murmurs of the reporters were a stark reminder of the chaos my life had become.

Xander leaned back casually, answering questions with the ease of someone used to spinning lies.

"Mr Blackthorn, can you confirm the nature of your relationship with Miss knight."

He smiled, placing a hand over mine. "Of course, Ava and I have been engaged for some time now. We kept it private to focus on our relationship. But recent events had forced us to go public sooner than planned."

I forced a smile, trembling under his.

Another reporter turned to me, her voice sharp. "“Miss Knight, I heard a rumour that you were being charged with the allegations of embezzlement and forgery?”

Xander interjected smoothly before I could answer. “Those allegations are baseless. Ava is a brilliant lawyer with an impeccable record. We will not dignify such rumors with further comment.”

Did he just stand up for me? Or was it just another scheme? Anyways, I gave him a grateful smile. Maybe he isn't that bad afterall.

Two weeks later, I stood at the altar in a wedding gown that looked like a shroud. The ceremony was a farce. A private event attended only by a handful of people to maintain the illusion of love. A few carefully staged pictures and rehearsed lines that the whole world would believe we were madly in love.

Behind closed doors, the reality was different.

"Here are the rules," Xander said, handing me another document. "You're to accompany me to every event and play the perfect wife. And don't you ever think of trying to dig into my personal life. This is an open marriage, you can do whatever you want, but don't get caught."

I gritted my teeth as I bite back a resort, reminding myself of the clearer picture. I had to endure this for now. Vanessa and Andrew had taken everything away from me, but I would get it back and this so called marriage is a stepping stone.

"And, you don't get to wander into my room aimlessly," he added.

I answered with a nod.

But the question burned inside me, refusing to be silenced. As he turned to leave, I spoke, stopping him mid-step. “That night—the s*x, did it ever mean anything to you?”