Chapter 2 Terms and Conditions

Elena sat at the kitchen table in her tiny apartment, her fingers trembling as she flipped through the pages of the contract Aiden had sent her. Each clause was neatly typed, legal jargon outlining every detail of their agreement.

Six months. Public appearances. No romantic entanglements outside the marriage. And at the end of it all-enough money to save the gallery and secure its future.

The words blurred on the page as doubt clawed at her mind. Could she really do this? Marry a man she barely knew, even if it was just an act?

A knock at the door startled her.

She stood, her heart pounding as she opened it to find her best friend, Mia, standing on the other side.

"Elena!" Mia burst in without waiting for an invitation. "What's going on? You've been dodging my calls all day."

Elena shut the door and sighed. "It's... complicated."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Complicated like your landlord banging down the door for rent, or complicated like you've got some crazy billionaire dragging you into his drama?"

Elena froze. "How do you know about Aiden?"

"Please, this is the city. Everyone knows Aiden Thorn is looking for a wife to save his empire. But why are you acting like you're a part of it?" Mia's eyes widened. "Wait. You're not-"

"It's not what you think," Elena interrupted, holding up the contract. "He offered me a deal. Six months, no strings attached. I save the gallery, he gets what he needs. That's all."

Mia snatched the papers from her hands, skimming the document. "This is insane. And you're actually considering it?"

Elena dropped onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. "I don't have a choice. The gallery is drowning, Mia. This is the only way to save it."

Mia sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But at what cost? Do you really want to tie yourself to a man like him?"

"I don't want to," Elena admitted, her voice breaking. "But what other option do I have?"

Before Mia could respond, Elena's phone buzzed on the coffee table. She grabbed it, her heart sinking as she read the text:

"We need to finalize the details. Meet me at Thorn Tower tomorrow morning. 9 AM."

---

The next day, Elena stepped into Aiden's office once more. He was already seated at his desk, his sharp gray suit impeccable as always.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with impatience.

Elena hesitated, clutching the strap of her bag. "I'll do it."

Aiden's expression didn't change, but she caught the faintest flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. He slid a pen across the desk. "Sign here."

She picked up the pen, her hand trembling as she hovered over the line. This was it-the moment that would change everything.

Just as she pressed the pen to paper, Aiden spoke. "There's one more thing."

Elena looked up, her heart skipping a beat. "What?"

"You'll be moving in with me," he said, his gaze unwavering.

"What? That wasn't in the contract!"

"It's a necessary addition," he replied smoothly. "We need to maintain the appearance of a real marriage. Living apart would raise questions."

Elena's mind reeled. Sharing a home with Aiden Thorn? The thought sent her pulse racing for reasons she couldn't quite explain.

"Fine," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

She signed her name, sealing her fate.

Aiden stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to the arrangement, Mrs. Thorn."

Elena stared at his outstretched hand, the weight of his words sinking in. This wasn't just a business deal anymore-it was the start of something she couldn't control.

As their hands met in a firm shake, the office door opened, and a woman strode in without knocking.

Her icy blue eyes flicked from Elena to Aiden. "Well, well. I see you've wasted no time."

Elena turned to Aiden, confusion and unease swirling in her chest. "Who is this?"

Aiden's jaw tightened. "Elena, meet my ex-fiancée, Victoria."