Episode two
1051 Words
Turning down an investor like Langford.” He studied me, curiosity flickering in his gaze. “You’re desperate, but not desperate enough to make a bad deal. I like that.I narrowed my eyes. “Do you make a habit of eavesdropping on strangers?”
A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips. “Only when they’re interesting.”
I crossed my arms. “Do you want something, Mr. Sinclair?”
As a matter of fact, I do.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “A business arrangement.
I frowned. “What kind of arrangement?”
His next words sent a chill down my spine.
“Marry me.”
I stared at him. “What?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “I need a wife. You need money. A contract marriage solves both our problems.”
My stomach flipped. He had to be joking.
Except… he wasn’t.
I could see it in his eyes. He was absolutely serious.
And the scariest part?
I was actually considering it.
“You can’t be serious.”
I stared at Damien, waiting for some sign—any sign—that this was a joke. A smirk, a laugh, maybe even a casual gotcha thrown in for good measure.
But he just looked at me, completely calm.
Oh my God. He was serious.
A marriage proposal.
To a complete stranger.
I crossed my arms. “Offering to marry a woman you just met isn’t exactly normal.”
He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Neither is turning down an investment you clearly need.”
My teeth clenched. “I need an investor, not a husband.”
“Why not both?” His voice was infuriatingly smooth, like he had just suggested something as simple as changing a dinner reservation.
I shook my head. “This is insane.”
“You’re struggling.” His gaze flickered over me, and I hated how easily he saw through me. “You need money, and I need a wife. It’s a fair deal.”
“Marriage isn’t a deal.” I exhaled sharply, trying to think through the fog of frustration. “There has to be a catch.”Of course,” he said with a knowing smirk. “But nothing that wouldn’t benefit you too.
I should have walked away. I wanted to. But his words had already planted themselves in my mind, and now, no matter how much I wanted to ignore them, they refused to leave.
Because as much as I hated to admit it—he was right.
I was desperate.
And he was offering a way out.
I swallowed. “What’s in it for you?”
He didn’t hesitate. “My grandmother gave me six months to get married, or I lose control of my company.”
Oh.
I blinked, caught off guard by how blunt he was.
So this wasn’t some random act of charity.
He needed something from me just as much as I needed something from him.
And suddenly, the pieces clicked into place. This wasn’t about me—it was about convenience. I was just the person standing in front of him at the right moment.
Or the wrong one.
I clenched my jaw. “And if I say no?”
He shrugged, completely unaffected. “Then you walk away and figure something else out.” His eyes held mine, steady. “But from where I’m standing, that doesn’t seem like an easy option.”
He wasn’t wrong.
But this?
This was madness.
I should have said no immediately. Should have walked away without looking back.
Instead, I found myself asking the most dangerous question of all.
“What are the terms?”
Damien leaned back, his eyes never leaving her face.
She hadn’t rejected him outright.
Which meant she was considering it.
Good.
He hadn’t approached her on a whim—he had been watching her. The moment she turned down Langford’s pathetic offer, he knew she wasn’t just another desperate woman willing to settle for scraps.
She had standards.
She had a spine.
And that made her perfect.
He set his glass down and met her gaze head-on. “We get married. Publicly. The contract lasts for one year—long enough to satisfy my grandmother and the board.”
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t interrupt.
“In return, I’ll pay off any outstanding debts and invest in your business,” he continued smoothly. “Whatever amount you need to keep it afloat.”
He saw the way her breath hitched, the way her fingers curled slightly.
She was overthinking.
“And after a year?” she asked.
“We divorce. Clean break. You walk away with financial security, and I maintain control of my company.”
Silence stretched between them.
Damien watched as she processed his words. He could see the hesitation in her posture, the way she gripped the stem of her champagne flute like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
She was at war with herself.
Look,” he said, voice even. “This isn’t a fairytale. I’m not offering romance or love. Just a contract that benefits us both.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “And if I say yes… what’s stopping you from backing out later?”
A slow smirk played at his lips. “I don’t break my deals, Sienna.”
Something in his voice made her shiver.
She stared at him for another long moment, then exhaled. “I need to think about it.”
“Take your time,” he said easily. “But not too much. My offer won’t stand forever.”
She turned without another word, disappearing into the crowd.
Damien watched her go, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
She would be back.
And when she was, the deal would be sealed.
I didn’t expect to see him again so soon.
Two days had passed since Damien Sinclair’s offer, and I hadn’t made any progress with my decision. It was like my mind was stuck in a loop—debating whether or not I could actually go through with a marriage contract. Even if it was temporary, even if it made logical sense, the idea of it felt… wrong.
But then again, what did I have left?
- Writer
