THE CONTRACT BRIDE

--- CHAPTER ONE – “The Bargain” Ruby stood at the edge of the grand marble staircase, her arms folded across her chest, her jaw tight with defiance. The white-walled mansion she had once dreamed of living in now felt like a cage. Her fingers were trembling, not out of fear—but fury. “You want me to marry him?” she spat, glaring at Clarissa, her stepmother, who sat calmly on a velvet couch like the queen of manipulation she was. Clarissa crossed her legs and sipped her wine like she wasn’t shattering someone’s future. “Yes, dear. One year. Just 12 months. You’ll survive.” Behind her, Amber leaned smugly against the wall, fake sympathy painted across her face. “It’s not like he’s ugly, Ruby. Royal Kingsley is every woman’s fantasy.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “Then you marry him, Amber.” “I would, but he doesn’t want me,” Amber said with a smile that could cut glass. “He wants a challenge. And you, my dear sister, are a very sexy challenge.” "Enough!” Clarissa snapped. “You owe me this. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be sewing cheap dresses in your shabby apartment. I gave you fame, I gave you access. This contract marriage will keep our name relevant—and make us millions.” Ruby clenched her fists. She didn’t ask for this life, or this lie. But Clarissa had tied her reputation to the family company—without her name attached, Ruby’s designs would be pulled from shelves. In her mind, she saw her assistant Ava’s bright, hopeful face. The girl had just paid her younger brother’s school fees from her recent paycheck. If Ruby refused this deal, dozens of lives would collapse. “Where’s the contract?” Ruby asked coldly. Amber’s smile widened. *** Across the city, Royal Kingsley leaned back in his leather chair, flipping through the contract with eyes like steel. His assistant Mason stood nearby, phone in hand. “So she agreed?” Royal asked. “She’s on her way to the office for signing,” Mason confirmed. Royal’s lips curled into something between a smirk and a sneer. “Good. I don’t like surprises. Especially women who think they’re immune to pressure.” Vanessa stormed into the room without knocking. “You’re marrying her?” she hissed. Royal didn’t look up. “It’s a contract. A formality.” “You said we had a future!” she shouted. “You believed that?” he said calmly, tapping his pen against the contract. “I don’t marry for love, Vanessa. I marry for leverage.” Vanessa’s eyes shimmered with rage. “This isn’t over.” Mason gave her a bored look. “Do shut the door behind you, Miss Vanessa.” *** By afternoon, Ruby walked into Kingsley Towers in six-inch heels and a wine-red dress that hugged her curves like danger. Her assistant Ava trailed behind her nervously. “Are you sure about this, Ruby?” Chole whispered. “No,” Ruby said, brushing past security like she owned the place. “But I’m doing it anyway.” The elevator doors opened to reveal Logan—Royal’s business partner and best friend. He gave a slow whistle. “You must be Ruby. Damn, you make business look good.” “I’m not here to flirt,” Ruby said. “Too bad,” Logan smirked. “Royal’s office is that way.” Inside, Royal looked up as Ruby entered. His eyes roamed unapologetically from her face to her waist to her legs. “I expected tears,” he said. “Not lipstick and fire.” “You’ll find I don’t cry easily,” Ruby replied. “Especially not for cold-hearted bastards in suits.” Royal smiled. “Sign here.” They both picked up their pens, their fingers brushing. Static. Sparks. Tension. One signature. One lie. One year. --- – “Terms and Tension” The heavy silence in Royal’s office settled like smoke. The ink had barely dried when Ruby stood, tossing the pen onto the glass table with flair. “One year. Then I’m done playing dress-up with your ego.” Royal leaned back in his chair, the sharp angles of his jaw tightening slightly. “You signed the deal. You play by my rules.” “I don’t play,” Ruby replied, voice like silk-wrapped steel. “I design. I build. And I survive.” She turned on her heel, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Ava, who had been waiting outside, jumped to follow as Ruby pushed through the office doors. “That man,” Ruby hissed in the elevator. “Thinks the world should worship the ground he walks on.” Ava looked nervous. “He is kind of... powerful.” “Powerful doesn’t mean right,” Ruby said. “And it sure as hell doesn’t mean he owns me.” *** Meanwhile, Royal remained seated, fingers steepled under his chin. Mason entered, closing the door behind him. “She’s got fire.” “She’s a spark in a room full of gasoline,” Royal muttered. [Engagement party] The evening was a whirlwind—champagne, flashing lights, fake laughs. Royal spoke with reporters, while Ruby mingled like a natural, her designer instincts making her the center of attention. Clarissa beamed like she had just won the lottery. But Ruby’s eyes burned when she caught Vanessa at the edge of the ballroom—smiling sweetly while flirting with Royal’s father, Mr. Kingsley Sr. “Is she seriously here?” Ruby asked Ava, clutching her champagne glass tighter. “She wasn’t invited,” Ava whispered. Royal returned to her side. “Ignore her.” “Too late,” Ruby muttered. “You should’ve told me your ex would be here.” “I didn’t invite her.” “Then she’s just as desperate as she looks.” Royal’s lip twitched—half annoyance, half admiration. “You’re really not scared of anyone, are you?” Ruby tilted her head. “Not even you.” He stepped closer, voice low. “You should be.” She met his gaze head-on. “Then act like a villain, Royal. Because right now, you’re just a man playing king.” For a moment, they stared—two storms ready to collide. Behind them, Clarissa clinked her glass. “To Ruby and Royal! A perfect match made in destiny!” The crowd erupted in applause. Ruby smiled tightly. Destiny? No. This was a war. And she intended to win. cameras flashed, staff buzzed with excitement, and journalists lined the entrance. Ruby took a breath and stepped out first, head high, a forced smile on her lips. She owned the moment. Until Vanessa appeared. “Royal, darling!” Vanessa glided toward them in a red designer dress, all curves and confidence. “So good to see you.” Ruby stiffened, but Royal’s expression remained unreadable. Vanessa leaned in and kissed his cheek — a second too long. “We should catch up,” she purred. Ruby folded her arms. “Can we get inside, Some of us have work to do.” Vanessa smirked. “Oh Ruby, still the fiery one.” “And you’re still clinging to relevance,” Ruby shot back without blinking. Royal's jaw tightened. “Enough.” Vanessa batted her lashes. “Sorry. I’ll see you both inside.” As she walked off, Ruby muttered under her breath, “I swear, if she touches me again, I’ll redesign her face.” Royal actually chuckled — a low, amused sound. “You're trouble.” Ruby glanced at him. “You married it, remember?” Royal looked at her."let's go in". --- The air between Ruby and Royal buzzed with silent conflict as they stood on the balcony under the moonlight. Her arms were crossed, jaw tight, while Royal sipped his whiskey with the same calm arrogance that drove her mad. "You’re mine," he’d said. And those words replayed in her head all night. Ruby couldn’t sleep. By morning, she had made a decision. If Royal wanted a partner who knew how to play the game — she'd give him one. But on her terms. *** The next day at the Kingsley Empire HQ, Ruby walked in with a vengeance. Wearing a figure-hugging white suit, stilettos, and confidence sharp enough to slice egos, she turned heads. She was done being underestimated — by Royal, Vanessa, or anyone else. Royal was already in the conference room with his assistant, Mark, going over the launch numbers. When Ruby entered, Mark blinked. “Wow, Ms. Ruby. You look—” “Expensive?” she said with a smirk. She scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Royal chuckled. “You too proud ". “I know” Ruby said, standing elegantly. “Of course,” he murmured, eyes never leaving her. Before she could respond, the office door burst open.