Chapter 3: The Contract
892 Words
Chapter 3: The Contract
Amelia stared at the folder resting on her lap.
The rain continued drumming against the windshield.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then she laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because the entire day had become absurd.
"My fiancé cheated on me with my sister."
Alexander remained silent.
"My family apparently knew about it."
No reaction.
"My company is on the verge of bankruptcy."
Still nothing.
"And now one of the richest men in the country appears in my car claiming he can solve all my problems."
She looked directly at him.
"Do you understand how insane that sounds?"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Completely."
Amelia folded her arms.
"Then explain."
Alexander glanced toward the folder.
"Open it."
Against her better judgment, she did.
The first page immediately made her heart stop.
It contained financial statements.
Hart Industries.
Her family's company.
Page after page.
Debt reports.
Loan records.
Asset valuations.
Information that should have been confidential.
Amelia looked up sharply.
"How did you get these?"
"I had them analyzed."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You investigated my company?"
"I investigate every company I invest in."
The answer sounded reasonable.
Yet something felt off.
He wasn't invested in Hart Industries.
At least not publicly.
Amelia continued reading.
The more she read, the worse it became.
Mr. Lewis hadn't exaggerated.
The company was drowning.
Years of hidden debt.
Declining contracts.
Unpaid obligations.
The situation was far worse than her father had ever admitted.
By the final page, her hands felt numb.
"If this is accurate..."
"It is."
"The company is already collapsing."
Alexander nodded once.
"Yes."
A painful silence filled the car.
Amelia suddenly understood why her father had been desperate for the wedding to proceed.
The marriage wasn't about love.
It wasn't about family.
It was about survival.
Ethan's family was wealthy.
The alliance would have helped secure investors.
The wedding had been a business transaction.
Just another deal.
And she had been the bargaining chip.
A fresh wave of anger surged through her.
Alexander watched her carefully.
"Now you understand."
Amelia looked at him.
"What exactly are you offering?"
His answer came immediately.
"I'll pay the debt."
She blinked.
"What?"
"The entire debt."
The words sounded unreal.
Thirty-eight million dollars.
He said it as casually as someone discussing the weather.
Amelia stared.
"Why?"
Alexander's gaze remained steady.
"Because I can."
"That's not an answer."
"No."
"It's not."
The honesty surprised her.
Most powerful men liked pretending they were generous.
Alexander wasn't even attempting it.
Which somehow made him more dangerous.
Amelia closed the folder.
"What do you want in return?"
His eyes darkened slightly.
As if he'd been waiting for that question.
Finally.
He leaned back in his seat.
"You marry me."
The world went silent.
Amelia stared at him.
Certain she'd heard wrong.
"What?"
"Three years."
The billionaire's voice remained calm.
"A legal marriage."
She laughed again.
This time in disbelief.
"You're serious."
"Very."
Amelia shook her head.
"No."
Alexander didn't appear surprised.
"No?"
"No."
She handed him the folder.
"I appreciate the offer."
"You don't."
"No, I don't."
That earned the faintest hint of amusement.
Amelia continued.
"I don't even know you."
"You know who I am."
"That's not the same thing."
"It isn't."
The confidence in his voice irritated her.
He sat there as though he already knew how this conversation would end.
As though her answer didn't matter.
Amelia grabbed her purse.
"I'm leaving."
She reached for the door handle.
Then Alexander spoke.
"Your father met with three investment groups this month."
Her hand froze.
"He was rejected by all of them."
Slowly, she turned back.
Alexander continued.
"Two suppliers are preparing lawsuits."
Her stomach tightened.
"The bank intends to seize company assets if payment isn't received."
The rain seemed louder now.
More violent.
Alexander's gaze never left hers.
"You have twenty-nine days."
Amelia hated that he was right.
Hated that he knew exactly how desperate the situation was.
Hated that she was actually listening.
"What happens after three years?"
His answer came without hesitation.
"We divorce."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Amelia searched his face.
Waiting to find the catch.
There was always a catch.
Always.
Yet Alexander looked completely serious.
The situation made no sense.
Men like him didn't need contract marriages.
They could have anyone.
Why her?
Out of all people.
Why her?
As though reading her thoughts, Alexander said quietly,
"You're asking the wrong question."
Amelia frowned.
"What question should I be asking?"
For the first time, something shifted in his expression.
Something unreadable.
Something that vanished almost immediately.
Then he answered.
"You should be asking why I waited this long."
A chill ran down Amelia's spine.
The words felt strange.
Too personal.
Too familiar.
As though there was history between them.
History she didn't remember.
Before she could respond, Alexander opened the passenger door.
Cold air rushed inside.
He stepped out into the rain.
Then paused.
"Keep the folder."
Amelia watched him.
"What if I say no?"
The billionaire looked back at her.
Rain slid down the shoulders of his black coat.
His expression remained calm.
Certain.
As though he already knew her answer.
"If you say no," he said softly, "I'll respect your decision."
Then his eyes held hers.
"But tomorrow morning, you'll discover you don't have many choices left."
And with that, Alexander Blackwood disappeared into the storm.
- Writer
