Chapter 1 The Price of his Signature

"One year. No love and no questions. Do you agree, Ms. Sinclair?"

His voice was sharp, cold like the steel in his office walls.

Ava Sinclair swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she stared at the papers in front of her. A contract marriage. And across the table sat Damien Thorne, billionaire CEO of Thorne Enterprises. A ruthless,heartless and dangerous man every woman in New York whispered about.

She was just a secretary. He was her boss.

This wasn't love. It wasn't even lust. This was a deal.Her brother was dying and Damien knew it.

"I just... I don't understand why me," Ava said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. "You could have anyone."

His gaze didn't flicker. "Exactly. I want someone no one will miss."

Her heart broke in places she didn't know existed on hearing his response.

That's what she was to him.A nobody,just a pawn.

Ava looked down at the contract again. A cold wave of nausea rolled through her.

It states- One year of marriage.No touching.No public affection.

No emotional expectations.Compensation: $1.2 million.

"This money... it'll pay for Levi's surgery?" she whispered, her throat tightening.

Damien's eyes didn't waver. "In full. But only if you marry me today."

She clenched her fists. Her little brother, Levi, was all she had left. She couldn't lose him.She has no other choice left for her.

She looked at Damien again. His face was unreadable. Handsome, yes. But Cold like a statue carved from ice.

"Fine," she whispered. "I'll marry you."

He leaned forward, passed her a pen.

"Then sign."

And with one signature, Ava Sinclair gave herself away not just her name but her freedom and her heart.

The wedding happened hours later in a private office. No flowers. No music. Just a judge, two signatures, and silence.Damien didn't even taje a glance at her as they exchanged vows.

---

Later that night, Ava stood alone in the massive guest room of his penthouse.

She wasn't even allowed to sleep in the same room as her husband on her own wedding night.She was alone.She sat on the bed, staring at the untouched gown she wore. Her hands were still shaking. Her eyes swollen from holding back tears.

How did my life become this?

A knock came at the door.She jumped.To her surprise,It was Damien.Still in his suit and still emotionless.

"There are rules," he said bluntly. "I don't want surprises. You don't speak to the media. You don't embarrass me in public. You don't enter my room without permission."

Ava nodded slowly, every word sinking like a blade into her chest.

"And one more thing," he added, stepping closer. "You're nothing more than my business partner. Don't start thinking you're anything else."

Ava bit her lip. "I wasn't planning to."

His jaw clenched. "Good."

He turned and walked out.

The door clicked shut and Ava fell to the floor in silence, her body shaking with quiet sobs.

One week later...

Ava stood in the elevator, heading to Thorne Enterprises for her first public appearance as Damien's "wife."

But she wasn't dressed like a wife.

She was dolled up like a trophy. Hair curled. Lips red. A tight black dress that barely let her breathe.She had begged to wear something else. Something simple and professional.But Damien had said:

"You're not here to think. You're here to look good."

As the elevator doors opened, dozens of eyes turned toward her. Some full of curiosity while others full of disgust and envy.A whisper rippled across the room.

"Is that her?"

"The new wife? She looks cheap."

"Didn't he have a fiancée last month?"

Ava kept walking, her heels trembling beneath her.Damien stood across the room, dressed in black, commanding every soul in sight. His fiancée,ex fiancée who is a tall and elegant woman approached them.

"Wow," the woman drawled, stepping up to Ava. "So you're the new charity case. I must say... Damien always did love strays."

Ava's face flushed with shame.

"That's enough, Clarisse."

Damien's voice sliced through the room. He pulled Ava to his side and kissed her on the cheek.

The crowd gasped.But when he leaned in, he whispered in her ear:

"Smile. Or I cut Levi's funding tonight."

Ava froze and her heart shattered.

She smiled and inside... she died a little more.

That night...

Ava stared at herself in the mirror.Makeup smeared. Eyes red. Hands shaking.

She pulled off the necklace Damien gave her and threw it on the floor.She opened her purse to get a tissue and saw the hospital bill again. Levi's name. The amount due.

$84,000 left.

She had to survive this.She had to endure for her brother.No matter what Damien did.No matter how much he humiliated her.She had to endure until it was over.

But as she looked out the window of the penthouse, a single thought struck her - sharp as a knife.

What if I don't make it through this year?

Just as Ava turns off the lights to sleep, she sees Damien's silhouette standing outside her room watching her through the glass.