Chapter 4 A PROPOSITION OF ICE

The air in Hale Industries felt taut, charged with whispers that fluttered through the hallways like nervous birds.

Fiona adjusted her blazer as she strode through the corridor, her heels tapping against the marble floor. Harper had called her minutes ago, her voice clipped. "He wants to see you. Now." No explanation, no hint of tone, just the command.

When Fiona reached the executive floor, she paused at the glass doors of Preston's office. The city sprawled behind him, the skyline burning gold under the late afternoon sun.

Preston stood by the window, tall and broad-shouldered, his hands clasped behind his back. His gray suit hugged his frame with military precision. The man radiated control, a control that had once drawn her in, and now made her throat tighten.

"Miss Greystone," he said, turning. His tone was smooth, detached. "Close the door."

She obeyed, pulse quickening. "Is something wrong?"

His eyes cool as steel didn't meet hers. "Sit."

She sat across from him, fighting the sudden chill that filled the room. His desk was spotless, not a paper out of place, as if chaos dared not cross his order.

"There's been... noise," he began. "A rumor. The press caught wind of something they shouldn't have."

"About what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His gaze flicked to her. "About us."

Her breath hitched. "Us?"

A faint muscle jumped in his jaw. "You were seen leaving the gala with me. Someone fed the tabloids a story."

"I didn't"

"I know," he cut in sharply, his composure unflinching. "But perception matters more than truth."

Her hands curled on her lap. "So what do you want me to do?"

For a long moment, he said nothing, just studied her like a man deciding whether to trust the storm.

Finally, he murmured, "You'll know soon enough."

Outside, thunder rumbled. Inside, something colder began to stir.

The next morning, Fiona entered his office again, summoned once more. Preston sat behind his desk this time, files open, glasses perched on his nose. The faint scent of cedar and ink hung in the air. He gestured for her to sit, expression unreadable.

"Do you know why I inherited Hale Industries?" he asked without preamble.

She blinked. "Because you're the eldest?"

He gave a humorless laugh. "My father's will made it conditional. I must maintain the company's stability and my public image. If the board doubts either, control shifts to my cousin, Adrian."

"Adrian Lockwood?" she murmured. She'd seen him once charming smile, with dangerous eyes.

"The same," Preston said. "He's been waiting for me to slip. And now, thanks to the tabloids, I've given him exactly what he wants."

"So this is about the company."

"This is about everything." His tone darkened. "My father's death left vultures circling. Adrian's whispering in boardrooms, investors are nervous, and the press" he exhaled sharply "is feeding off the scandal like it's blood."

Fiona leaned forward. "Then tell them the truth. That nothing happened."

His gaze snapped to hers. "And when have you ever seen truth sell better than a lie?"

She hesitated. He wasn't wrong. Hale Industries thrived on reputation. One dent, and the empire would bleed.

"You shouldn't have to carry this alone," she said softly.

Preston's lips twitched, something between a smirk and pain. "I don't have a choice."

"You always have a choice."

He removed his glasses, his eyes locking on hers. "No, Miss Clarke. People like me stopped having choices the moment we were born into this world."

The bitterness in his tone made her heart ache, but she said nothing.

He turned toward the window, his reflection merging with the storm outside. "I'm not telling you this for sympathy," he said quietly. "I'm telling you because what comes next will involve you."

The silence that followed hummed like a fuse waiting to ignite.

"What do you mean 'involve me'?" Fiona asked, standing now. The tension in the room pressed against her ribs.

Preston remained seated, fingers steepled. "I need a wife."

The words landed like a slap.

She blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

He met her gaze calmly, as though he'd asked her to pass the salt. "A contract marriage. Three months. Long enough to settle the board, calm the press, and secure the inheritance clause."

"You're joking."

"Do I look like a man who jokes?"

Her breath caught. "And you thought of me?"

"You're intelligent, discreet, and not after my money." His eyes softened just slightly. "And the tabloids already linked us. Might as well make their story profitable."

"Profitable?" she echoed, incredulous.

He opened a drawer, pulling out a folder. Inside was a contract and a check. Her name was printed neatly beside an amount that made her vision blur.

"That would cover your mother's surgery," he said, voice low.

She froze. "How do you"

"I know everything about my employees." He leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Consider this a transaction. Three months of appearances. Nothing more."

She wanted to scream. To throw the contract in his face. "You think you can buy me?"

His tone didn't waver. "No. I'm offering you a choice."

Fiona's throat burned. "A choice between selling my soul and watching my mother die?"

"Between survival and sentiment," he corrected.

Her heart pounded. "You really are made of ice."

His eyes flickered, just once, before turning cold again. "It's how I survive."

She backed away, shaking her head. "Then you'll survive without me."

When the door slammed behind her, he let out a breath that trembled despite himself.

Outside, rain began to fall.

By evening, Fiona sat alone in her small apartment, the city's glow bleeding through half-closed blinds. Her phone lay silent beside her untouched dinner. Her mother's photo smiled from the nightstand, a smile that hurts now.

When the call came, her hands trembled.

"Miss Greystone," the hospital nurse said, "your mother's condition has worsened. The surgery must happen tonight. We need the deposit immediately."

Fiona pressed a hand to her mouth. "Please, can't you"

"I'm sorry. Without payment, we can't proceed."

The line clicked dead.

For a long moment, Fiona couldn't move. Her heart thundered, and the walls felt too small, too loud. Pride was a luxury she could no longer afford.

She rose, raincoat clutched around her, and stepped into the night. The storm was fierce, wind slicing across her skin. By the time she reached Hale Tower, she was soaked, breathless, her resolve hanging by a thread.

Preston looked up from his desk when she entered. His surprise was fleeting. "I take it you've decided."

Her lips parted, trembling. "I'll do it."

He studied her, eyes flicking to the raindrops glistening on her hair. "Are you sure?"

"No," she whispered. "But I don't have another choice."

For a moment, something like guilt crossed his face. He stood, moving closer. She could smell his cologne-smoke and rain and something darker.

"This isn't a rescue," he said quietly. "It's a contract."

"I know," she said, lifting her chin. "Just don't pretend it's anything else."

His hand twitched at his side as if resisting the urge to reach for her.

"Tomorrow morning," he murmured. "My lawyer will bring the documents."

When she turned to leave, his voice followed, low and almost fragile. "Fiona."

She paused.

His gaze held hers. "You're not the only one losing something tonight."

The words lingered long after she was gone.

Morning light spilled across Preston's office like pale fire. The contract lay open on his desk, its edges crisp, its promise sharp. Fiona entered in silence, her white blouse still damp from the drizzle outside. Her eyes were swollen but steady.

Preston rose when she approached. "You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do," she said, voice hoarse. "For her."

He nodded once, sliding the pen across the desk. "Then let's begin."

The pen felt heavy in her hand. She hesitated only a second before signing. The ink bled like a wound across the paper.

Preston exhaled, slow and deliberate, as if the air itself carried weight. He opened a small velvet box and placed it before her. Inside, a diamond ring gleamed coldly, catching the light like frozen fire.

Her fingers trembled as she lifted it. "It's beautiful."

"It's necessary."

She slipped it onto her finger. The metal was icy, the stone dazzling, and suddenly unbearable.

When she looked up, he was closer than before. "This will stay between us," he said softly. "We'll play our parts until the time's right."

"And then?"

"Then we end it. Cleanly."

Their eyes met, neither willing to look away. Beneath his calm exterior, something flickered, regret, perhaps, or longing too dangerous to name.

"You're sure you can keep it business?" she asked quietly.

He smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I've made a career out of pretending."

Fiona's heart thudded painfully.

Outside, the wind howled against the glass. Inside, two signatures bound them tighter than love ever could.

And for the first time, Preston Hale looked like a man afraid of what he'd just set in motion.