CHAPTER THREE
1477 Words
Olivia’s hand remained in Theodore’s for only a few seconds, but the warmth of his palm lingered longer than she expected.
She withdrew calmly.
Neither of them spoke.
The air between them shifted — not soft, not gentle — but something heavier, like an agreement sealed without trust.
Theodore returned to his seat, his expression once again unreadable.
“My assistant will prepare the documents,” he said.
Olivia nodded.
She should feel relieved.
Victorious.
Satisfied.
Instead, her chest felt strangely tight.
She had just decided her marriage in less than ten minutes.
To a man she didn’t know.
To a man rumored to be cold and merciless.
But she didn’t regret it.
Regret was for people who had choices.
She didn’t.
The assistant entered quietly with a folder.
“Sir, the preliminary agreement.”
Theodore took it and pushed it toward Olivia.
“Read.”
Olivia lowered her gaze.
The contract was straightforward.
Marriage duration — one year minimum.
Public appearances — required when necessary.
No interference in personal affairs.
No emotional claims.
Divorce — clean separation.
Financial compensation — generous.
Her lips pressed slightly.
Money.
He assumed she was doing this for money.
She almost laughed.
Money had never been her priority.
But she didn’t correct him.
It made things simpler.
She signed.
Without hesitation.
Theodore watched her closely.
“You don’t negotiate?”
“No.”
“You don’t ask what you gain?”
“I already know.”
“And that is?”
“Your name.”
He studied her again.
This girl…
She wasn’t greedy.
She wasn’t foolish.
She was focused.
Dangerously focused.
“Good,” he said quietly.
The assistant collected the documents.
“I’ll proceed with the legal team.”
Theodore nodded.
“Wedding within two weeks.”
Olivia blinked.
“That soon?”
“You want to delay?”
“No.”
“Then it’s settled.”
She stood.
“So… I’ll leave now.”
Theodore leaned back.
“You’re not curious?”
“About?”
“Your husband.”
Olivia met his gaze calmly.
“I’ll learn after marriage.”
He smirked faintly.
Interesting answer.
She turned to leave.
But his voice stopped her.
“Olivia.”
She paused.
“Yes?”
“Why are you so calm?”
She didn’t turn.
“Because I already lost everything worth being afraid of.”
And then she walked out.
Theodore watched the door close.
For the first time in a long while…
He felt something unfamiliar.
Not interest.
Not attraction.
But curiosity.
And that alone made her dangerous.
When Olivia returned home that evening, the house was lively.
Laughter echoed from the living room.
She paused at the entrance.
Clara and Lena sat together, discussing something excitedly. Her father was smiling warmly — something he rarely did around Olivia.
“…The Sinclair charity gala is next week,” Lena said happily. “I finally got an invitation.”
Clara beamed.
“That’s wonderful! This is your chance.”
Her father nodded proudly.
“I’m sure Theodore Sinclair will notice you.”
Olivia stepped in quietly.
No one noticed at first.
Lena continued,
“I heard he dislikes bold women, so I’ll act gentle. Men like him prefer soft personalities.”
Clara laughed.
“You were born for that.”
Then Lena noticed Olivia.
Her smile widened sweetly.
“Oh, Olivia. You’re back.”
Olivia nodded.
Her father glanced at her.
“You’re late.”
“I had something to do.”
He didn’t ask further.
He never did.
Lena leaned forward.
“Sister, you should come to the gala too. It’ll be fun.”
Olivia met her eyes.
“No.”
Lena tilted her head.
“Why not? Maybe you’ll meet someone.”
Olivia’s lips curved slightly.
“I already did.”
Lena froze for a brief second.
Then she laughed.
“That’s good.”
Clara added gently,
“You should learn from Lena. She’s already building connections.”
Olivia remained silent.
If only they knew…
She walked upstairs.
Her room was the same.
Simple.
Quiet.
Lonely.
She sat on the bed and stared at her phone.
A message arrived.
From an unknown number.
"Wedding dress fitting tomorrow. 10 AM. My assistant will pick you up."
Short.
Direct.
Very Theodore.
Olivia typed back.
"Okay."
She placed the phone aside.
Everything was moving fast.
Faster than she imagined.
But she wouldn’t stop.
Not now.
The next morning.
A black luxury car waited outside.
The servants whispered.
Even Clara noticed.
“Olivia, who is that for?”
Olivia picked up her bag calmly.
“For me.”
Lena’s eyes flickered.
“For you?”
“Yes.”
She walked out before they could ask more.
The assistant opened the door.
“Miss Olivia.”
She nodded and entered.
Lena watched from the window.
Her expression slowly darkened.
Something…
Didn’t feel right.
The bridal boutique was luxurious.
Elegant dresses filled the room.
The staff immediately surrounded Olivia.
“Welcome, Mrs. Sinclair.”
Olivia paused.
Mrs. Sinclair.
The words felt unfamiliar.
But she didn’t correct them.
They began measuring her.
Selecting gowns.
Adjusting fabrics.
She stood quietly.
Then—
The door opened.
Theodore walked in.
The staff instantly stepped back.
“Mr. Sinclair.”
Olivia looked up.
He wore a black suit, perfectly tailored. His presence filled the room effortlessly.
“You’re here,” she said.
“I want to ensure efficiency.”
She almost smiled.
He was truly cold.
They showed her the first dress.
White.
Elegant.
Simple.
She changed.
When she stepped out, the room fell silent.
The dress hugged her figure perfectly. Her long hair fell softly over her shoulders. Her natural beauty made the gown even more stunning.
The staff whispered.
“Beautiful…”
Theodore watched quietly.
His eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary.
“Next,” he said.
She tried another.
Then another.
Finally, she stepped out in a fitted gown with delicate embroidery.
The assistant gasped softly.
“This one…”
Theodore’s gaze hardened slightly.
Yes.
This one.
Without realizing, he said,
“This one.”
Olivia nodded.
“Okay.”
She didn’t argue.
Didn’t hesitate.
As if she didn’t care what she wore.
He frowned slightly.
“Do you not care?”
“It’s just a dress.”
“It’s your wedding.”
“It’s a contract.”
Her answer was calm.
But something about it…
Made him uncomfortable.
He looked away.
“Use this one.”
The staff nodded quickly.
Measurements finalized.
Everything settled.
As Olivia changed back, Theodore waited.
When she returned, he spoke.
“You’ll move to my house after the wedding.”
“Understood.”
“No one knows yet.”
“That’s fine.”
“You don’t seem nervous.”
“I’m not.”
He studied her.
“You’re different from rumors.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“What rumors?”
“That you’re cold.”
She answered quietly.
“I am.”
He shook his head slightly.
“No… you’re just hurt.”
She froze.
Only for a second.
Then her expression returned to calm.
“You’re mistaken.”
He didn’t argue.
But he knew he wasn’t.
Meanwhile, at the university.
Lena sat with Daniel.
She stirred her drink slowly.
“Daniel… do you think Theodore Sinclair would like someone like me?”
Daniel smiled.
“Of course. You’re kind and gentle.”
She smiled shyly.
“I hope so.”
Daniel added,
“You deserve someone powerful.”
Lena’s eyes softened.
“Thank you.”
But inside…
She felt uneasy.
The black car.
Olivia’s calmness.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
And she didn’t like it.
Not at all.
That evening.
Olivia received another message.
"Dinner tonight. 7 PM. My place."
She stared at it.
Their first private meeting.
After agreement.
She replied.
"Okay."
At 6:30, the car arrived again.
She didn’t tell anyone.
She simply left.
Theodore’s residence was quiet.
Modern.
Cold.
Just like him.
He waited inside.
When she entered, he looked up.
“You’re on time.”
“Yes.”
They sat across from each other.
Dinner was served.
Silence filled the table.
Finally, he spoke.
“You don’t ask questions.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I don’t need to.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“You trust me?”
“No.”
He paused.
“Then?”
“I just don’t care.”
That answer surprised him.
She wasn’t pretending.
She truly didn’t care.
Not about him.
Not about marriage.
Only about her goal.
He suddenly asked,
“Who hurt you?”
She looked up slowly.
“That’s not part of the contract.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
They continued eating.
But something had already changed.
The distance between them…
Was no longer just contractual.
It was personal.
And neither of them realized—
This marriage would soon stop being a game.
And become something neither of them planned.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD