Elena sat in the back seat of the
black car, her fingers gripping her handbag like it held her last breath. Her
mother's voice still rang in her ears—soft, tired, hopeful.
"This could save us, Elena."
But at what cost?
Beside her sat Dominic Vance. Silent.
Distant. His jaw was sharp, like it had been carved from ice. He didn't look at
her once since they left Hart Manor. He didn't speak either, and the silence
felt heavier than any argument.
He looked like a man going to sign a
business deal, not a marriage.
"This won't be a real marriage," he
had told her earlier.
Elena blinked away the sting in her
eyes and looked out the window.
The Vance Estate was like something
out of a luxury magazine. High iron gates, shining floors, and glass
everywhere. It screamed power, money, and control. And soon, she would belong
to all of it—and to him.
The car stopped, and the driver opened
the door. Dominic stepped out first. He didn't offer her a hand. He simply
walked ahead like she was just another meeting on his calendar.
Swallowing her pride, Elena followed
him.
Inside, the room was cold. Literally
and emotionally. A long glass table stood in the center, papers neatly
arranged. A lawyer waited beside them, adjusting his tie nervously.
Dominic sat down and pointed at a
chair without even glancing at her.
"Let's get this over with," he said.
Elena sat down slowly. Her hands
trembled as she reached for the pen.
The lawyer cleared his throat. "This
is a legal agreement of marriage between Mr. Dominic Vance and Miss Elena Hart.
The duration is one year. No romantic obligations. No emotional attachments.
Public appearances together required twice a week. After one year, divorce will
be filed. In exchange, Vance Corp will take controlling interest in Hart
Enterprises and pay off all debts attached to the company."
Elena's lips parted. "No emotional
attachments?"
Dominic didn't even flinch. "We're not
here to fall in love, Elena."
Her heart sank, but she nodded. What
else could she do?
Her mother was too fragile to survive
another failure. Her brother was drowning in shame. She had to be the strong
one.
Elena picked up the pen.
Signed.
Dominic signed next. Quick. Clean.
Cold.
It was done.
Just like that, her life changed
forever.
The lawyer left with a nod, and the
room fell into silence again.
"I'll have my assistant prepare your
wardrobe and staff," Dominic said, standing up. "You'll move in tomorrow. A
press release will go out tonight."
"You really think they'll believe this
marriage?" Elena asked, unable to hide the bite in her voice.
Dominic finally looked at her. His
eyes were steel. "They'll believe whatever I tell them to believe."
"And if I change my mind?" she challenged.
He smirked. "Then your company dies,
and your mother loses her house. You knew the deal, Elena. No backing out."
His words hit like a slap. She stood
up slowly, pride burning in her throat.
"You really are heartless."
He stepped closer. "And you really are
desperate. That's why you're here."
They stood inches apart, breathing the
same heavy air, locked in a silent war neither wanted to admit they'd already
lost.
Dominic walked away without another
word, his footsteps echoing like warning bells in her ears.
The Next Day
The wedding was small and fast.
No flowers. No vows. No love.
Just a courthouse and two signatures.
Elena wore a plain white dress that
Dominic's assistant sent her. Vera Cunningham—a woman with perfectly pressed suits
and a smile that didn't reach her eyes—hovered the entire time, like she was
just waiting for Elena to mess up.
The only guests were Dominic's lawyer
and Kingston, who stood by Elena's side but couldn't even look her in the eye.
"You don't have to do this," Kingston
had whispered before the ceremony.
"I already did," she said.
They exchanged rings for the cameras.
Click. Flash. Smile.
Dominic didn't even pretend. His hand
was cold against hers, and when the photographer told them to kiss, he leaned
down, pressed his lips against her cheek, and stepped away like he couldn't
stand the thought of touching her.
The photos were uploaded within
minutes.
"Billionaire CEO Dominic Vance Marries
Heiress Elena Hart in Surprise Ceremony!"
The headlines spread like wildfire.
That night, Elena moved into the Vance
mansion.
Her new room was beautiful—white
marble floors, gold accents, and windows that stretched from floor to ceiling.
But it felt like a cage.
Dominic didn't come home that night.
He didn't call either.
She sat on the edge of her new bed,
staring at the ring on her finger.
It felt heavy.
Fake.
Painful.
Later That Week
Elena stood beside Dominic at a
charity gala, her arm looped through his. They looked like a perfect couple. He
wore a crisp black tuxedo, she wore a red satin gown chosen by Vera.
"Elena, smile," Dominic whispered
through clenched teeth. "You look like you're being held hostage."
"I am," she replied through her fake
smile.
His lips twitched, almost like he was
trying not to laugh. Almost.
Reporters crowded around them.
Flashing cameras. Shouting questions.
"Elena! When did you two fall in
love?"
"Dominic, was it love at first sight?"
They both smiled. Plastic. Perfect.
"Yes," Dominic said without blinking.
"The moment I saw her."
Elena nearly choked.
He squeezed her waist tighter.
"Play the part," he muttered under his
breath.
So she did.
All night, they smiled. Held hands.
Whispered sweet nothings for the press.
And all night, Elena burned with
anger. Shame. Confusion.
Why did he touch her like that in
public, but ignore her the second they were alone?
Why did he protect his secrets so
well?
And why… why did her heart beat faster
when he looked at her like he was trying not to fall apart?