Chapter 3 Episode 3

Liv blinked against the light, her mind groggy with the remnants of sleep. For a moment, she had forgotten about the events of the previous night, the weight of Alex's proposition, and the decision she had made. But as consciousness fully returned, so did the memories, crashing over her like a tidal wave. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push aside the uncertainty that gnawed at her. There was no going back now. She had made her choice, and whatever happened next, she would face it head-on. The apartment was quiet, too quiet.

Emma must have already left for her part-time job at the local bookstore. Liv's gaze fell on the neatly arranged stack of textbooks on the coffee table, and a pang of emotion twisted in her chest. Everything she did was for Emma, to give her sister the life she herself never had. And now, she was about to take the biggest gamble of her life to ensure that future. Liv rose from the couch, her limbs heavy with the weight of her decision. She made her way to the small kitchen, her thoughts churning as she mechanically went through the motions of making a cup of coffee. The bitter aroma filled the air, grounding her in the present, in the reality of what she was about to do. As she sipped her coffee, Liv's thoughts drifted back to Alex. He was a man of contradictions, someone who seemed to be both ruthless and calculating, yet also oddly... vulnerable. There was something about him, something beneath the surface that intrigued her, even as it made her wary. But she couldn't afford to let herself be distracted by curiosity. This was a business arrangement, nothing more. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still early, but she knew Alex would be expecting her answer soon. The thought of calling him, of hearing his smooth, commanding voice again, sent a shiver down her spine. She wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Instead, Liv set her coffee mug down and grabbed her phone, typing out a brief text message: *I'm ready to discuss the contract. When and where?* She hit send before she could second-guess herself, then set the phone down, her heart pounding in her chest. There was no turning back now. She had set things in motion, and whatever happened next was out of her hands. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one dragging out longer than the last. Liv busied herself with tidying up the apartment, anything to keep her mind off the impending conversation. But every time her phone buzzed, her heart leapt into her throat. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her phone chimed with a new message. She picked it up with trembling fingers, her eyes scanning the text. *Meet me at the Grayson Tower, 2 PM. We'll go over everything there.* Grayson Tower. Of course. Alex's empire, the pinnacle of his success, the place where he wielded his power like a king over his domain. Liv's stomach twisted at the thought of stepping into his world, a world that was so far removed from her own. But she had made her decision, and now she had to see it through. *I'll be there,* she replied, her fingers feeling oddly numb as she typed out the words. Liv set the phone down, staring at the screen as if it held the answers to all her questions. She had two hours to prepare herself, to gather her thoughts and steel her resolve. She couldn't afford to show any weakness when she faced Alex. This was a business transaction, and she needed to approach it with the same cold, calculated detachment that he had shown her. But even as she tried to convince herself of that, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into something much bigger than she realized. Something that could change her life in ways she couldn't yet comprehend. By the time 2 PM rolled around, Liv had changed into a simple yet elegant outfit-a black blouse and tailored pants that gave her an air of professionalism. She didn't have much in the way of high-end fashion, but she needed to look the part. This was her chance to make a first impression, to show Alex that she was serious about this arrangement. She grabbed her bag and made her way to the subway, her mind buzzing with anticipation and anxiety. The ride to Grayson Tower was a blur, the familiar sights of the city passing by in a haze. All she could think about was the conversation that lay ahead, the contract that would seal her fate. When she finally arrived at the imposing skyscraper, Liv paused for a moment, staring up at the gleaming glass facade. It was a monument to wealth and power, a physical representation of everything Alex had achieved. And now, she was about to step into that world, a world she had never been a part of. Taking a deep breath, Liv squared her shoulders and walked through the revolving doors, into the sleek, modern lobby. The air was cool, the floors polished to a mirror-like shine. Everywhere she looked, there were reminders of the wealth and influence that Alex Grayson commanded. A receptionist behind a large marble desk greeted her with a professional smile. "Welcome to Grayson Tower. How may I assist you?" "I'm here to see Mr. Grayson," Liv replied, her voice steady despite the nerves that twisted in her stomach. "I have an appointment." The receptionist nodded, her smile never wavering. "Of course, Ms. Monroe. Mr. Grayson is expecting you. Please follow me." Liv followed the receptionist to a set of private elevators at the back of the lobby. The woman swiped a keycard, and the doors slid open with a soft chime. "This elevator will take you directly to Mr. Grayson's office on the top floor," the receptionist said as she stepped aside. Liv nodded her thanks and stepped into the elevator. The doors closed behind her, and she was suddenly alone in the small, enclosed space. The elevator began its ascent, and Liv felt a rush of vertigo as the floors sped by, taking her higher and higher into Alex's domain. When the doors finally opened, Liv stepped out into a spacious, minimalist office, all glass and steel, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The room was impeccably designed, with sleek furniture and abstract art adorning the walls, but it was the man standing by the window that commanded her attention. Alex turned as she entered, his gaze cool and assessing. He was dressed in another perfectly tailored suit, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. He was every inch the powerful businessman, and as Liv met his gaze, she felt a flicker of doubt. She was so out of her depth here, so far removed from her own world. But it was too late to turn back now. "Olivia," Alex said, his voice smooth as he walked toward her. "Thank you for coming." Liv nodded, forcing herself to remain composed. "I said I would. I'm here to discuss the terms of the contract." "Of course," Alex replied, gesturing for her to sit at the sleek, glass-topped table in the center of the room. "Let's get started." Liv took a seat, her back straight as she faced him. Alex sat across from her, his expression unreadable as he slid a folder across the table. "This is the preliminary contract," he said, his tone businesslike. "It outlines the terms of our arrangement. I've had my legal team draft it up, but of course, you're welcome to have your own lawyer review it before you sign anything." Liv hesitated for a moment before picking up the folder. Her hands shook slightly as she opened it, her eyes scanning the pages filled with legal jargon and clauses. It was all so clinical, so devoid of emotion. And yet, this was her future they were talking about. "The contract is straightforward," Alex continued, his voice calm and measured. "We'll be married for one year, during which time you'll fulfill the role of my wife in public appearances and social events. In return, you'll receive a lump sum payment of $5 million, as well as a monthly allowance of $50,000. All your expenses will be covered, and you'll have access to my properties and resources as needed." Liv's breath caught in her throat. The amount of money he was offering was staggering, more than she had ever dreamed of. It would be enough to take care of her sister, to pay off all their debts, to give them both a fresh start. But it also came with a price. "The marriage will be purely for appearances," Alex said, his gaze never leaving her face. "There will be no expectation of intimacy, no emotional involvement. We'll maintain separate lives, and once the year is up, we'll go our separate ways." Liv nodded, her mind racing as she tried to process everything. It was a simple arrangement, on the surface. But it was also a transaction that would bind her to this man, to his world, for an entire year. "What if something changes?" Liv asked, her voice quiet. "What if one of us wants out before the year is up?" Alex's expression remained neutral, but there was a hint of something in his eyes-something that made Liv's heart skip a beat. "If either party wishes to terminate the contract early, there's a clause for that. The lump sum payment would be reduced, and the monthly allowance would cease immediately. But I don't anticipate that happening. This is a business arrangement, Olivia. We both have something to gain from it." Liv nodded again, her mind swirling with thoughts and doubts. She needed to think, to consider every angle before making a decision. But deep down, she knew that the decision had already been made. She couldn't walk away from this-not when it could change everything for her and Emma. The opportunity was too significant, the stakes too high.