Chapter 2 The contract

Leonel's pov

she didn't ask where we were going .

That told me everything I need to know.

zara stared out the window her veil clutched in between her hands like it might strangled her if she let it go.she looks calm on the surface but deep down I know that she is in deep pains inside.

I didn't speak right away but let her settled into the leather seat. Let her process what she had just lost or rather what she thought she lost.

Because that man - Charles whatever was never going to be her future.

"I know you have questions"I said finally, breaking the hum of the car's engine.

she didn't look at me "you think?".

I smirked,sharp, brief." you are wondering why I was there.

I'm wondering why I got into this car with some one like you".

"That too."

silence stretched between us, thick with tension.I tapped my fingers against the console, calculating my next words like move on a chess board.

"I can fix this for you"

That grabbed her attention, zara turned, narrowing her eyes like she was sizing me up for the second time that day. "Fix what exactly? My reputation? My family's disgrace ? My dignity -

what little I have left ".

"All of it "

she laughed bitterly" and why would you do that"?

I didn't hesitate. "Because I need you ".

Her eyes flared with disbelief,"excuse me"

"I'm offering you a contract marriage"

And there it was

zara blinked ,once,twice" you are insane ".

" possibly, but not stupid".

"you want to marry me".

"I want to be seen marrying you ".

Her jaw clenched"oh great so I would be your PR stunt ".

"No more than I'd be yours" I replied smoothly.

"Let's not pretend that this is some Cinderella tragedy, you need a comeback, I need a weapon,we use each other , for six months,No more".

Zara folded her arms across her chest, the bodice of her designer gown creasing beneath the tension. "You need a wife that badly?"

"I need a distraction. Something shiny enough to redirect attention from my real business moves. The press loves you. Right now, they're feasting on your blood, but if we flip the script-turn you into the queen who chose power over heartbreak-they'll worship you again. And me, by association."

She was quiet for a moment.

When she finally spoke, her voice was low. "You're serious."

"As a board meeting."

"And what do I get? Besides being dragged further into your twisted little empire?"

"Public redemption. Career protection. An iron wall of security. I'll handle every outlet, every reporter. I'll rebuild your name stronger than it was before. And when this ends, you walk away richer and clean."

Zara looked at me for a long time, her eyes sharp as blades. "Why me?"

I leaned forward slightly. "Because you didn't cry."

Her expression didn't change, but I saw the flicker in her throat-one hard swallow. A reaction she didn't want me to see.

"I've seen a hundred women crumble under pressure. Scream. Beg. You didn't. You stood there and walked out like you were still wearing a crown."

"I was wearing a crown," she said bitterly. "It just got knocked off on live television."

"Then let's put it back on your head."

Her lips pressed into a flat line. "And after six months?"

"We divorce. Cleanly. No strings."

"And in those six months?"

"No romance," I said. "No expectations. We play the part in public. Smile for the cameras. Pretend we're blissfully in love."

"And in private?" she asked.

"In private," I said carefully, "we stay out of each other's way."

She studied me. Measured every syllable.

"And the press just... believes it?"

"Not at first. But I'll sell it. So will you. We'll throw a second wedding-small, high-profile, exclusive coverage. Just enough to flip the narrative."

She tilted her head. "You've thought this through."

"Down to the guest list."

Silence fell again, heavier now.

Zara turned her gaze back to the window. Her voice was quieter this time. "You think I'm desperate enough to say yes."

"I think you're smart enough not to say no."

She didn't respond. But she didn't get out of the car either.

The driver pulled into the garage of one of my penthouse buildings. Discreet. Secure. No press. No flashing lights. Just steel and silence.

Zara waited until the car stopped, then turned to me. "If I say yes... you'll draw up a contract?"

"It'll be in your inbox within the hour. You'll have your lawyer look it over. Or don't. I won't hold your hand."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, don't worry. I don't need anyone's hand. I just need my life back."

I opened my door, stepping out first. As I held the door for her, she paused.

"Leonel?" she said, voice a little lower.

"Yes?"

"If I do this..." Her eyes flicked up to mine. "You better not screw me over."

I gave her the faintest smirk. "If I wanted to screw you, Zara, we wouldn't be talking about marriage."

She rolled her eyes, stepped out, and brushed past me.

And I watched her walk ahead of me into the building-head high, spine straight.

That woman was fire.

And I just made a deal with it.