Contracted by fate

Episode4

Emily's POV

"Sign it. It's a contract marriage," he said flatly like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"What?" I exclaimed. Quickly, I snatched the paperwork hoping it was some kind of joke, but as I scanned the pages it had some rules and stipulations, and that became painfully clear that he was serious.

"You can't be serious?" I said, glaring at him but his expression remained unreadable and calm.

"Of course I am," he replied with a sneer. "Adrian Black is too busy to joke around," his tone was laced with arrogance. "Isn't that what you wanted when you followed me all the way home from the bar and ended up in my bed," his tone was annoyingly condescending that I glare at him with barely restrained anger.

"I was drunk," I shot back, my frustration spilling over.

"Sure, sure," he said dismissively. "Always blaming it on the alcohol. But let’s be real—you knew exactly what you were doing."

"Wow...I really can't believe it," I muttered, shaking my head. "You think too highly of yourself. And for your information, I don't even know who you were until today."

"Women would always say that." Then his tone turned sharp again. "Sign the contract. It's the only way you can repay me for helping you"

"No..I won't," I said firmly, shoving back the document to him. "I barely know you, and I definitely don’t want to be stuck with you. I’d rather face the consequences than marry a man as insufferable as you."

"Are you sure about that?" He asked, raising a brow as his expression darkened. "Because I could walk back into that precinct and tell the detective that you did evade tax. I'm Adrian Black afterall. One statement from me, and you’ll have a long stay behind bars."

He opened the car door and started walking back towards the building. Panic surged through me and my resolve crumbled. "Wait," I called out, my voice trembling. "I'll sign it."

He stopped mid-step, turned back to me with a smirk, and strode closer. "Good choice," he said, handing the document back.

With shaky hands, I skimmed through the pages again, before reluctantly signing it. The rules felt more like being taken s*****y than getting married.

"The wedding is in a week," he said, snatching the contract from my grasp. "We are meeting your family tomorrow. Inform them."

A sharp pang of pain twisted in my chest. I had no family to inform. They had set me up, abandoned me, and left me to take the fall for a crime I didn’t commit.

"Wait," I said softly. "Can't we skip the family part. The marriage isn't real anyways."

His eyes narrowed, studying me for a while. "Don't tell me you aren't in good terms with your family," he said.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. How did he even see through me?

"Well, make sure they are present, even if you have to force them," he continued, his tone sharp. "My mom believes in family and if yours isn’t there, she’ll start asking questions."

I nodded weakly.

"See you tomorrow, wifey," he added with a smirk, then winked before getting into his car and drove off.

I stood frozen, my mind spinning. In the span of forty-eight hours, my life had crumbled—cheated on, framed, thrown in jail, and now trapped in a marriage with a man I barely knew. A bitter laugh escaped me as tears welled in my eyes.

This all started with Isabella and Charles. They had destroyed my life and taken everything I held dear.

I clenched my fists in anger as I quickly board a taxi to the mansion. Enough is enough. I had been quiet for too long.

****

At the mansion, it was bustling with people, a lively energy filling the air. My heart tightened with pain. I was in prison and my family were here celebrating.

I slipped through the gate to the garden unnoticed. My heart clenched as I took in the celebration before me. Charles was on one knee, holding a ring up to Isabella.

"Will you marry me," he asked, his voice dripping with affection.

"Yes," Isabella gushed, her hands trembling with happiness as Charles slip the ring into her fingers. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, . They embraced and kissed while I stood frozen, my chest tightening with pain.

They betrayed me.......and now celebrating it.

"Well, well," I sneered, stepping forward, my voice cutting through the applause. "Congratulations. You both are a perfect match."

The crowd turned to look at me, murmurs spreading as Isabella and Charles stood frozen, their face flicker with shock and guilt.

"Emily...." Isabella started but no words followed.

"Speechless, are we?," I taunted. "Cat cut your tongue," I added.

Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to the crowd. "My sister is just upset," she sniffled. "Father insisted I take over the company because I was better at managing it. I never wanted it....."

Angelina's voice came as she stepped forward. "Emily, you should be happy for your sister. Does it really matter who the CEO is? What matters is the company success," she said and the guests nodded in agreement.

Charles joined in, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is the exactly why I broke up with her and choose Isabella. Emily has always been too troublesome."

The words cut deep, but I stepped closer to Charles, my hand connecting with his cheek in a sharp slap. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"You gold digging coward," I spat. He clutch tightly to his cheeks, his eyes blazing with anger.

My father emerged from the crowd, his voice sharp. "Leave Emily. Stop making a scene," he barked.

I turned to him. "Yes, I would leave. I shouldn't be amongst you betrayals," my voice was sharp with emotions. "But before I go, I need you to act like the father you pretend to be. Show up tomorrow and play the doting father for my in-laws. I’m getting married. If you truly ever loved mom, please be available tomorrow.

The crowd erupted in shocked whispers, but I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and walked out, tears streaming down my face.. If mother was alive, would things have been different? Of course. Mom wouldn't have stood by and watched my father treats me worse than a total stranger.

*****

The next day we sat by a table in a private restaurant: me, Adrian, my father and his mom.

"Your daughter is beautiful," Mrs Black said warmly, her gaze filled with kindness. It been a while someone had looked at me like that. "And I'm sure she would be perfect for my son."

"Yes," my father replied, his voice unusually soft.

"God bless you, child," she said, holding my hand across the table. "I can't wait to have you in the family," she said with a genuine smile.

Adams remained silent, munching on his food, like the conversation wasn't about us. When the topic of the wedding arose, Mrs. Black insisted on an extravagant ceremony, while Adrian preferred a private one.

"What did you think, dear?" She asked, turning to me.

I hesitated before answering. "I think a private wedding would be the best."

Mrs. Black nodded. "Very well, then."

We rounded up the conversation and got set to leave. Adrian and his mom left first, after she kissed me goodbye.

I grabbed my bag, and turn to leave when my father's voice stopped me. "Emily," he called softly. "We need to talk."

Without turning back, I replied him. "There's nothing to talk about father. Just be be there next week."

With that I strode out of the restaurant.

One week later, I sat before a mirror in a hotel room, staring at my reflection in the wedding gown. It felt more like a prison uniform than a dress.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts, and Isabella swept in, wearing a stunning white dress more extravagant than my own; Always wanting to get all the attention for herself.

"Look who’s getting married," she sneered. "I’m sure your cleaner husband took out a massive loan for this wedding. You'll spend the rest of your life paying back."

Before I could respond, Adrian stepped in, his suit crisp and flawless.

"Hi wifey," he greeted smoothly, ignoring Isabella’s presence. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, forcing a smile.

Isabella's face twisted in shock. "Your husband

is Adrian Black?" she exclaimed, disbelief coloring her tone.