Elena King's life was about to change forever.
It wasn't because of anything dramatic—no, it was the quiet, methodical click of a pen on paper that would alter the course of her future. A contract. A business deal that was as cold and transactional as it sounded. She was sitting in a sleek, glass-walled office in the heart of New York, the pulse of the city beneath her feet, when the man across from her slid a thick envelope over the polished mahogany desk.
"Sign it," Julian North's voice was calm, almost too calm. "And the money's yours."
Elena stared at the papers in front of her, unsure how she'd gotten to this point. She wasn't desperate—no, she had always been able to get by on her own terms. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and when her small business had hit a rough patch, she had been left with no choice but to seek help.
Julian North was not the kind of man anyone went to for help. At least, not without strings attached. The CEO of North Enterprises was ruthless, known for his icy demeanor, and his uncanny ability to bend people to his will. His reputation was legendary, and his wealth, unshakable. Elena had heard whispers about the man for years, but seeing him in person was an entirely different experience. His eyes, sharp and calculating, felt like they were taking stock of everything she was—and everything she could be.
"You're telling me you'll pay me millions for what?" Elena's voice came out steadier than she felt. The sharp scent of his cologne made it hard to focus, and she had to remind herself that she was negotiating, not being seduced.
"Marriage," Julian said, not a flicker of emotion in his face. "You marry me, and I'll clear your debt, make you a millionaire, and give you a future you could never dream of."
A marriage contract. A deal. Nothing more.
"Marriage? You've got to be kidding."
Julian's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "You need the money. I need a wife. It's simple. You sign, and we both get what we want."
Elena's fingers hovered over the contract. She could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She wasn't stupid. She knew that agreeing to this wouldn't just come with a paycheck. It would come with consequences—consequences she wasn't entirely prepared for.
But Julian wasn't a man who took no for an answer. His voice dropped, like a predator sensing vulnerability.
"Don't think about the consequences," he said softly. "Think about the opportunity."
She hesitated. Opportunity was one thing, but the price of it was another. But then, her mind flashed to her family's struggling business and the mountain of debt she couldn't overcome on her own. Julian North's proposal was a golden ticket, a way out. But could she trust him? Could she trust someone whose very name had become synonymous with power, manipulation, and secrecy?
"What happens if I refuse?" Elena asked, her breath catching in her throat.
Julian's smile didn't waver. "Then, your debts remain. Your future remains uncertain. And you go back to the life you had before."
Her stomach churned at the thought of going back. The failure. The sinking feeling in her gut as she watched her dreams slip away.
She had always prided herself on doing things on her own. But sometimes, even the strongest people needed help—no matter how it came.
The sound of the pen clicking against the paper seemed to echo in the air, and without another word, Elena signed.