THE CONTRACT
982 Words
The rain fell heavily against the glass walls of Blackwood Tower. Lightning flashed across the dark sky, making the city lights below look small and distant.
Lina Brooks stood outside the CEO's office, holding a worn handbag close to her chest. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.
She had never imagined she would be standing in one of the biggest companies in the city.
A few hours ago, she had been sitting beside her mother's hospital bed. Now she was here, waiting to meet a billionaire she had never spoken to before.
The assistant opened the door.
"Mr. Blackwood will see you now."
Lina took a deep breath and walked inside.
The office was large and quiet. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, and everything inside looked expensive.
Behind a black desk sat Damien Blackwood.
He looked to be in his late twenties. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly, and his sharp features made him look like he belonged on the cover of a business magazine. His expression, however, was cold.
He didn't stand to greet her.
"Sit."
Lina obeyed.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
The silence made her even more nervous.
Finally, Damien pushed a brown folder across the desk.
"Read it."
She opened it.
The first page made her eyes widen.
Marriage Contract
Her heart skipped.
She looked up at him.
"There must be a mistake."
"There isn't."
"You want me to... marry you?"
"For one year."
Lina blinked several times, waiting for him to laugh.
He didn't.
"You've never met me before."
"I know exactly who you are."
His answer confused her.
"I don't understand."
"You will."
He folded his hands.
"If you sign that contract, your mother's hospital bills will be paid in full. Her surgery will happen immediately. You'll also receive a monthly allowance and a place to live."
Lina stared at him.
Everything he was offering sounded impossible.
People like him didn't help strangers.
"There has to be a catch."
"There is."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"You will become my wife."
Lina slowly closed the folder.
"No."
She stood.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do this."
She turned toward the door.
"Your mother has less than twenty-four hours."
Her feet stopped moving.
She slowly turned around.
"What did you say?"
Damien picked up another file.
"The hospital called this morning."
Lina's face turned pale.
"You... investigated me?"
"I investigate everyone."
Anger filled her chest.
"You had no right."
"I had every right."
His voice remained calm.
"I don't make business deals without knowing everything."
Lina clenched her fists.
"My mother's illness is none of your business."
"It becomes my business if I'm paying for it."
She wanted to slap him.
Instead, she took a deep breath.
"Why me?"
Damien's expression changed.
For the first time, there was something darker in his eyes.
"Because your father ruined my family."
The words hit her like a punch.
"My father?"
"Yes."
"My father died when I was sixteen."
"I know."
"He wasn't a bad man."
Damien gave a cold laugh.
"You only knew one side of him."
"My father worked as an accountant."
"He also stole something that didn't belong to him."
Lina shook her head.
"That's impossible."
"Believe whatever you want."
"I don't."
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"My father was honest."
Damien leaned forward.
"That's what children always believe."
The room became silent again.
Lina remembered her father.
He had worked long hours.
He always came home tired.
He never raised his voice.
He taught her to tell the truth.
Could Damien really be talking about the same man?
No.
It couldn't be.
She closed the folder again.
"I'm leaving."
She reached for the door.
Her phone suddenly rang.
The screen showed the hospital's number.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Miss Brooks?"
It was the doctor.
"Yes."
"I'm afraid your mother's condition has become worse."
Lina felt weak.
"What happened?"
"She needs surgery today."
"I... I understand."
"The payment hasn't been made."
Lina couldn't speak.
"If we don't receive the payment soon, we won't be able to continue treatment."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I'll find the money."
"I'm sorry."
The call ended.
For several seconds, Lina stood there, staring at the phone.
She only had a few hundred dollars in her account.
She had already borrowed money from friends.
She had sold almost everything she owned.
There was no one left to ask.
She slowly looked back at Damien.
He hadn't moved.
It was almost as if he knew exactly what the doctor would say.
"You planned this."
"I planned an opportunity."
She hated him for saying it so calmly.
"This isn't an opportunity."
"It's your only choice."
She wanted to refuse.
She wanted to walk away.
But then she imagined her mother's smile.
She remembered the promise she had made.
"I'll save you, Mom."
Her eyes burned with tears.
"What happens after one year?"
"Our marriage ends."
"And then?"
"You walk away."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
She looked down at the contract once more.
One signature.
That was all it would take.
One signature to save her mother.
One signature to give up her freedom.
Slowly, she picked up the pen.
Her hand trembled so much she could barely hold it.
Damien watched silently.
"Are you forcing me?"
"No."
"You know I can't say no."
"Then don't."
Lina closed her eyes.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She signed her name.
The room fell silent.
Damien picked up the contract and looked at her signature.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Welcome to the Blackwood family... Mrs. Blackwood."
Lina felt no happiness.
Only fear.
She had just married a man who hated her.
And she had no idea what kind of life was waiting for her behind the doors of Blackwood Mansion.
Outside, thunder shook the sky.
It felt as if the storm had only just beginning
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