The Marriage Contract
654 Words
I stared at the document.
For a moment, I thought I was imagining it.
Then I read the words again.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT.
My throat went dry.
"You came prepared."
Damian took his seat across from me.
"I always prepare for every possible outcome."
His voice was steady, almost emotionless.
He folded his hands on the desk.
"I also prepared one in case you rejected me."
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"You prepared for both answers?"
"I don't enjoy surprises."
That much was obvious.
I looked around his office.
Everything was perfectly arranged.
Every file was in its place.
Every pen sat exactly where it belonged.
The man liked control.
"So," I said, looking back at him, "what exactly is this?"
"A business agreement."
"I thought marriage was personal."
"For most people, it is."
His expression didn't change.
"For me, it is both."
He slid the contract toward me.
"Read it."
I opened the first page.
Article One: The marriage will remain legally binding for one year.
My eyebrows rose.
"One year?"
"At the end of that period, either of us may request a divorce."
I continued reading.
Article Two: Neither party shall interfere with the other's personal freedom or career.
Article Three: Separate bedrooms are permitted unless mutually agreed otherwise.
Article Four: Public appearances as husband and wife are mandatory when required.
I looked up.
"So this is a contract marriage."
"Correct."
"No love."
"No expectations."
"No romance."
He nodded once.
"Those things cannot be forced."
I leaned back in my chair.
"And what do you gain from this?"
For the first time, Damian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city.
"My family owns forty-eight percent of Blackwood Corporation."
"The other fifty-two?"
"Investors. Board members. Relatives."
I frowned.
"They're questioning your leadership because of Ethan."
"They're questioning my judgment."
He turned to face me.
"My son's actions have damaged the company's reputation."
"And marrying me fixes that?"
"It demonstrates stability."
I almost laughed.
"People are calling me a gold digger online."
"They'll change their minds."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know how the media works."
His confidence was unsettling.
He spoke as though public opinion were just another business problem waiting to be solved.
I looked back at the contract.
"And what do I get?"
"You tell me."
I blinked.
"What?"
"You asked what I gain."
He returned to his seat.
"So tell me what you want."
Money?
Revenge?
Security?
A fresh start?
I thought about my parents.
About the shame they had endured yesterday.
About the comments flooding my phone.
About Ethan.
Then I quietly closed the contract.
"I don't want your money."
"I expected that."
"I don't want expensive gifts."
"I know."
"I don't even want revenge anymore."
That finally caught his attention.
His eyes met mine.
"What do you want then?"
I took a deep breath.
"My dignity back."
The room fell silent.
"I want people to stop looking at me like I'm the woman who got abandoned."
I swallowed.
"I want to look in the mirror without remembering yesterday."
Damian held my gaze for a long moment.
Then, to my surprise, he nodded.
"I can help with that."
A knock interrupted us.
Amelia stepped into the office.
"Mr. Blackwood."
"What is it?"
Her face was unusually tense.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but..."
She hesitated.
"The board members are here."
Damian checked his watch.
"Early."
"They're not alone."
Something about her tone made my stomach tighten.
"Who came with them?" Damian asked.
Amelia looked at me before answering.
"Mr. Ethan Blackwood."
She paused.
"And Miss Vanessa Bennett."
My heart skipped a beat.
"They're demanding to see Miss Bennett."
Damian's expression turned ice cold.
"On what grounds?"
Amelia took a slow breath.
"They're claiming she is trying to destroy the Blackwood family..."
She looked directly at me.
"...and they've threatened to stop this marriage before it even begins."
- Writer
