Chapter 1 1

The first time I met Damien Blackwood, he slid a marriage contract across the table instead of introducing himself.

"Read it carefully," he said, his voice calm, cold-like this wasn't the most insane moment of my life. "You have ten minutes."

I stared at the document, my fingers trembling as they touched the thick white paper.

Marriage Agreement. Duration: One year.

My heart skipped violently.

Marriage.

Not a job offer.

Not a loan agreement.

Marriage.

I slowly lifted my head and looked at the man sitting opposite me.

Damien Blackwood was exactly the kind of man people warned girls like me about-tall,well dressed, dangerously handsome, and completely untouchable. His black suit fit him like it was custom-made, his cufflinks probably worth more than everything I owned. His sharp eyes held no warmth, no curiosity-only certainty.

He already knew I would agree.

"I don't understand," I said quietly. "Why me?"

He leaned back in his chair, long fingers resting casually on the armrest. "Because you're desperate,,and u clearly are not a golddigger or a clout chaser wanting to make headlines" he replied. "And I need a wife."

The words were blunt. Cruel. Honest.

I swallowed hard.

Earlier that morning, the hospital administrator had looked at me with pity as she handed me the bill. My brother's surgery had to be done immediately-or I would lose him. I had begged relatives, sold my phone, even considered dropping out of school.

Still, it wasn't enough.

And now, somehow, I was sitting in a luxury office with a billionaire offering me marriage like it was a business deal.

"What do you get out of this?" I asked.

A flicker crossed his eyes-too fast to catch.

"Stability," he answered. "You'll play the role of my wife. Public appearances. Family dinners. Nothing more."

Nothing more.

I let out a shaky breath. "And after one year?"

"You leave," he said smoothly. "With compensation generous enough to solve your problems."

I looked back down at the contract. The amount listed at the bottom made my vision blur.

It was enough.

Enough to save my brother.

Enough to change everything.

"I will pay for your brothers surgery and hospital expenses so he can be treated immediately"

"What about feelings?" I asked before I could stop myself.

His lips curved-not into a smile, but something sharper.

"Feelings are not part of the agreement."

Silence stretched between us.

I should have stood up.

I should have run.

Instead, I picked up the pen.

"Where do I sign?"

For the first time since I entered the room, Damien Blackwood's gaze softened-just slightly.

And I didn't know it yet...

...but I had just married the man who had loved me long before I ever knew