Chapter 1 Ava

I, Ava Moreno, stood outside the sleek skyscraper, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I had no idea what to expect from this meeting with the enigmatic billionaire, Ethan Thorne. My art dealer, Lily, had arranged this mysterious encounter, hinting at a potential opportunity of a lifetime.

As I entered the penthouse, I felt like a small fish in a vast ocean. The opulence surrounding me was suffocating, a far cry from my humble studio and modest life. A sleek, modern art piece caught my eye, and I couldn't help but wonder if my own art would ever be worth such extravagance.

Ethan Thorne emerged from the shadows, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse skip a beat. His chiseled features and commanding presence left me momentarily speechless.

"Ava Moreno," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "Welcome to my home. I've heard great things about your art."

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. Your collection is impressive."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Please, call me Ethan. I'm not one for formalities."

I nodded, feeling a sense of ease wash over me. "Ethan, then."

He gestured for me to sit, and I complied, my mind racing with questions. What did he want from me? Why had he summoned me to his penthouse?

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "Ava, I have a proposal for you. A contract marriage, one year in duration. In return, I'll provide you with a studio, a substantial stipend, and the freedom to pursue your art without financial worry."

My eyes widened in disbelief. Marriage? To a stranger? A billionaire,nothing less?

My mind raced with questions and doubts. Marriage? To a stranger? A billionaire, no less? It sounded like a crazy proposition, a fairy tale gone mad. Yet, a small part of me whispered, "What if?"

I thought about my art, my passion, my everything. The struggles to make ends meet, the rejection letters, the doubts that crept in like thieves in the night. Could this be the chance I'd been waiting for? A chance to focus on my craft, to make a name for myself, to leave a mark on the world?

Ethan's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if he knew the turmoil brewing inside me. "Ava, I know this is unexpected, but I assure you, I'm not a monster. I'll give you the freedom to pursue your art, and we can mutually benefit from this arrangement."

I took a deep breath, weighing my options. It was a risk, a huge one, but what if it paid off? What if this was the start of something incredible?

"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll consider it."

Ethan's face lit up with a radiant smile. "Excellent! I knew you'd see the potential. Let's discuss the details, and we'll take it from there."

As we delved into the contract's specifics, my mind whirled with excitement and trepidation. Little did I know that this decision would change my life forever.

Ethan's words painted a vivid picture of a life I'd only dreamed of: a state-of-the-art studio, unlimited resources, and the freedom to create without financial burdens. My heart raced at the prospect of finally sharing my art with the world.

As we spoke, I found myself becoming lost in his eyes, those piercing blues that seemed to see right through me. It was as if he knew the deepest desires of my soul, the secret longings I'd never dared to voice.

The contract lay before me, a tangible representation of the choice ahead. I felt the weight of my decision, the potential consequences of saying yes.

"What about love?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What about feelings, emotions, the things that make life worth living?"

Ethan's gaze never wavered. "Those are luxuries I can't afford, Ava. My priority is my business, my empire. But I promise you, our arrangement will be mutually beneficial. You'll have the freedom to pursue your art, and I'll have a partner to support me in my endeavors."

His words were a harsh reminder that this was a business deal, not a romance. I had to decide if my art was worth the sacrifice.

With a deep breath, I reached for the pen, my hand trembling as I signed my name. The scratch of the pen on paper was the sound of my fate being sealed.

I had just agreed to marry a stranger, a man who saw our union as a business transaction. Little did I know that this was only the beginning of a journey that would change my life forever.

As soon as the pen left the paper, Ethan's face lit up with a triumphant smile. He took the contract from me, his eyes scanning it with a sense of satisfaction.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with relief. "I knew you'd see it my way, Ava. You won't regret this, I promise."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he extended his hand, his eyes gleaming with a sense of ownership. I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing with uncertainty.

But something in his gaze made me take his hand, his firm grip closing around mine like a vice. It was a gesture of sealing the deal, of cementing our agreement.

As we shook hands, I felt a spark of electricity run through me, a jolt of awareness that left me breathless. It was as if our bodies had connected on a deeper level, a connection that went beyond mere words.

Ethan's eyes never left mine, his gaze burning with an intensity that made my pulse race. I felt like he could see right through me, like he knew the secrets I kept hidden deep within.

And in that moment, I knew that I was in trouble. Big trouble.

Because as much as I wanted to deny it, I was drawn to this man, this stranger who had just become my husband.