Chapter 3 The Decision That Changed Everything

I sat in a coffee shop three blocks away from Knight Industries, staring at a cup of coffee I couldn't afford but desperately needed. My hands were still shaking from the conversation with Damien, and I couldn't stop replaying his words in my head.

Two hundred thousand dollars.

Marriage to a stranger.

One year of my life.

The rational part of my brain was screaming that this was insane. You don't marry someone you just met, especially not someone who clearly saw you as nothing more than a business transaction. But the desperate part of my brain, the part that had watched my mother get sicker while I scrambled to pay for treatments we couldn't afford, was doing the math.

Two hundred thousand dollars would cover all of Mom's medical bills. It would pay for the experimental treatment her doctor mentioned but said was too expensive to consider. It would mean she could focus on getting better instead of worrying about money.

It would save her life.

My phone rang, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Mom's name flashed on the screen.

Hi honey, her voice was weak but warm when I answered. How did the job interview go?

I'd lied to her about where I was going this morning, telling her I had an interview for a better paying position. In a way, I suppose I did.

It went well, I said, hating myself for the half-truth. They said they'd let me know soon.

That's wonderful, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you for never giving up.

The guilt hit me like a punch to the stomach. Here she was, proud of me for lying to her about marrying a stranger for money.

How are you feeling today? I asked, desperate to change the subject.

Oh, you know. Some days are better than others. Dr. Martinez wants to try a different medication, but the insurance company is being difficult again.

Mom, about the money...

Don't you worry about that, she said firmly. That's not your responsibility. You're twenty-three years old, Aria. You should be thinking about your own future, not taking care of your sick mother.

But that was exactly the problem. I couldn't think about my own future when hers was so uncertain. And now Damien Knight was offering me a way to secure both.

I love you, Mom, I said.

I love you too, baby. Now get back to work and stop worrying about me.

After she hung up, I sat there for another hour, watching people walk by the window. Normal people with normal problems. People who didn't have to choose between marrying a billionaire stranger or watching their mother die.

By two thirty, I knew what I had to do.

I walked back to Knight Industries with my head held high, trying to project confidence I didn't feel. The same receptionist from this morning looked surprised to see me again.

Mr. Knight is in a meeting, she said when I asked to see him.

Tell him Aria Thompson is here with her answer.

Five minutes later, I was back in that private elevator, heading up to face my fate.

This time, Damien wasn't alone in his office. There was another man there, older, wearing a suit that screamed expensive lawyer.

Aria, Damien said, standing up when I entered. I wasn't sure you'd be back.

I've made my decision, I said, proud that my voice didn't shake.

And?

I looked at the lawyer, then back at Damien. Yes. I'll do it.

Something flickered in Damien's eyes, satisfaction maybe, or relief. He nodded to the other man.

Excellent. This is my lawyer, Robert Sterling. He's prepared the contract.

Robert opened a briefcase and pulled out a thick stack of papers. Everything is standard, he said in a voice that was probably charged by the word. Marriage duration of one year, financial terms as discussed, confidentiality clauses, and dissolution procedures.

I stared at the contract. This was really happening.

You'll want to read through everything carefully, Robert continued, but let me highlight the key points. You'll receive an initial payment of fifty thousand dollars upon signing the marriage certificate to cover your existing debt. The remaining one hundred fifty thousand will be paid in monthly installments throughout the year, with a final payment upon divorce completion.

What about living arrangements? I asked.

You'll move into my penthouse, Damien said. Separate wing, private entrance if you prefer. We'll need to appear to be living together for the arrangement to be believable.

And what exactly will I need to do? I mean, besides just being married to you?

Attend social events with me, appear at business functions, maybe a charity gala or two. Nothing too complicated. Just smile, look pretty, and let people think you're madly in love with me.

The way he said it made something twist in my stomach. Like it would be such an impossible thing to believe.

What about dating? I asked. I mean, what if I meet someone...

You won't, he said flatly. The contract includes an exclusivity clause. No romantic relationships for the duration of our marriage. For either of us.

So you won't be dating anyone either?

Something dark flashed across his face. I don't date Aria. I have arrangements. And those arrangements will be suspended while we're married.

I didn't want to think too hard about what arrangements meant.

Any other questions? Robert asked.

I looked through the contract, trying to focus on the legal language, but it might as well have been written in a foreign language. All I could see were the numbers. Fifty thousand immediately. One hundred fifty thousand over the course of the year.

Enough to save Mom.

Where do I sign?

Robert showed me where to initial and sign, walking me through each section. When I was finished, Damien signed as well, his signature bold and confident.

Congratulations, Robert said, packing up his papers. You're now engaged to be married.

Engaged. The word felt strange and terrifying.

We'll need to go shopping, Damien said, checking his watch. If you're going to be Mrs. Knight, you'll need to look the part. And we'll need an engagement ring that's believable.

Right now?

Right now. Marcus is bringing the car around.

I looked down at my simple black dress, feeling completely out of my depth. I've never... I don't know anything about expensive clothes or jewelry.

That's what personal shoppers are for, he said. Don't worry, Aria. By the time I'm done with you, no one will question why Damien Knight fell for a girl like you.

A girl like me. The words stung, even though they probably weren't meant to.

One more thing, he said as we headed for the door. We'll need a story about how we met. Something romantic and believable.

What do you suggest?

He paused, thinking. We met at a charity auction. You were there volunteering, I was there donating. Love at first sight, whirlwind romance, couldn't wait to make you mine.

That's quite a story.

The best lies contain elements of truth, he said. You do volunteer work, don't you?

Sometimes. When I have time between jobs.

Perfect. And I do attend charity auctions. It's not entirely fabricated.

The elevator doors opened, and Marcus was waiting with another man in a suit.

This is James, my head of security, Damien said. He'll be coordinating your protection detail.

Protection detail?

You're about to become very visible, Aria. Mrs. Damien Knight will attract attention, not all of it welcome. James will make sure you're safe.

I hadn't thought about that. About photographers and gossip columns and people wanting to know everything about the mystery woman who captured the city's most eligible bachelor.

This is really happening, I said, more to myself than to anyone else.

Damien looked at me with those impossible blue eyes. Having second thoughts?

I thought about Mom, about the hope in her voice when she talked about the new treatment, about all the nights I'd lain awake wondering how I was going to keep her alive.

No, I said firmly. No second thoughts.

Good, he said, and for just a moment, his expression softened slightly. Because once we announce our engagement, there's no going back. The whole world will be watching.

As we stepped into the elevator that would take us down to the waiting car, I caught my reflection in the polished gold doors. In a few hours, I would be wearing clothes that cost more than I made in months, sporting an engagement ring worth more than most people's houses, and preparing to lie to the entire world about being in love with a man who saw me as a business arrangement.

But Mom would live.

And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough.

The elevator doors closed, carrying me toward a life I never could have imagined.

Mrs. Aria Knight.

It had a nice ring to it.

End of Chapter 3