The marriage contract

POV: Aria Collins

If I had known my entire life would change that morning, I wouldn't have taken the shortcut through Midtown.

The coffee shop had just rejected my application - the third rejection this week. Rent was due in four days, and Mom's medical bills had me drowning. I had exactly $7.45 in my account and no plan. 😔💔

I tightened the second-hand coat around me and rushed down the sidewalk, weaving through the sea of polished shoes and luxury heels. People with phones glued to their ears, fancy watches flashing in the sunlight, cars worth more than our house crawling the road like metal beasts.

That world wasn't mine. It never would be.

I was just trying to get across the street when it happened.

A sleek black Bugatti came out of nowhere and swerved too close, tires screeching. I tripped backward, my cheap tote slipping off my shoulder - and the contents of my life went flying across the street. 😱📱☕

My notebook. My phone. My mom's prescription list. Everything, scattered like confetti in front of the damn car.

And then the driver's door opened.

Out stepped a god in a suit.

Tall. Sculpted. Black hair slicked back with just the right amount of mess. Sharp cheekbones, designer sunglasses, and the coldest "don't care" expression I'd ever seen on a man.

I had no idea who he was - but he oozed power, money, and arrogance like a second skin.

"You should watch where you're walking," he said, voice low and smooth like melted chocolate - and just as dangerous. 🖤

I blinked. "Excuse me? You almost hit me."

He tilted his head slightly. "You ran into the road. Don't expect me to apologize because you weren't paying attention."

Oh, he was one of those. I bent down and grabbed my notebook before the wind took it.

"You rich people think the world moves for you," I muttered.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "That's because it does."

I rolled my eyes and snatched the last paper from under his car tire. "Next time, try driving like you don't own the city."

As I turned to leave, he said something that made me freeze.

"What's your name?"

I turned slowly, squinting at him. "Why?"

He smirked, and even though I hated it... my stomach did a flip. 😳

"Because most women who throw attitude at me are dying to drop their number after."

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Suit. Not interested."

And then I walked away.

Or at least, I tried.

Because five minutes later, I realized my phone - my lifeline - was gone.

I spun around and ran back to the street.

Gone. The Bugatti was gone too.

I almost screamed. "Great. Just great!"

My phone... my mom's info... my entire life... gone.

But that's not the end.

Because later that evening, at the café where I worked night shifts, he walked in.

Same expensive aura. Same stupidly perfect jawline.

He strolled up to the counter like he owned the place.

And in his hand... was my phone. 📱🔥

---

POV: Lucien Cross

I didn't usually stop for pedestrians - they either moved, or I ran them over.

But there was something about her. That mouth. That fire. That attitude.

I couldn't explain it.

And when I found her phone under my car after speeding off, I almost tossed it. But curiosity got the better of me. The girl was bold. Different.

So I did something I never do - I tracked her workplace. A tiny, barely-there coffee shop in the cheap part of town.

The moment I stepped inside, her eyes widened.

She looked both furious... and flustered. It was cute.

"Lose something?" I said, dropping her phone gently on the counter.

She snatched it. "Stalker much?"

"I call it returning property. You're welcome."

She frowned. "What do you want?"

I looked at her - really looked.

Worn-out shoes. Calloused hands. Shadows under her eyes. But she stood straight. Proud. Untouchable.

The kind of girl who wouldn't beg for anything.

"I don't want anything," I said, pausing. "Yet."

She blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I gave her a slow smirk. "We'll meet again."

And then I walked out, her eyes burning into my back.

---

POV: Aria Collins

What the hell just happened?

And why did my heart skip when he smiled?

This can't be good.