The pen felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. Elena stared at the glossy paper on Adrian's desk, her hand trembling as her eyes scanned the bold words at the top.
Marriage Contract.
Her throat tightened. "This is insane."
Adrian's deep voice cut through her panic. "It's survival."
Elena snapped her head up, fury burning in her chest. "For who? For you? Or for me?"
Adrian's jaw flexed. "For both."
The storm outside rumbled louder, rain streaking down the glass walls of his office as if the city itself mourned her choices.
Grace stood silently in the corner, her expression neutral but her eyes soft with pity. She had placed the contract in front of Elena, but her gaze begged forgiveness she couldn't speak aloud.
Elena slammed the pen down. "I won't sell myself to you like property!"
The door creaked open. Marcus leaned casually against the frame, smirking as if he'd been waiting.
"Oh, she's fiery," he drawled. "I like this one, brother. She's got spirit. Too bad she's about to chain herself to you."
Elena turned sharply. "Do you ever shut up?"
Marcus chuckled. "Rarely." He strolled into the room, circling her like a vulture. "But seriously, sweetheart, do you know what you're signing? This isn't just a marriage. It's a coffin. Every woman who's loved him—"
"Marcus." Adrian's voice was lethal, cutting him off.
But Marcus only grinned wider. "Fine, fine. I'll keep quiet. But don't say I didn't warn her."
Elena's hands shook. She wanted to walk away, to storm out and never look back. But the folder Grace had shown her earlier flashed in her mind — her father's hospital bills, the debt notices, the word FINAL WARNING stamped in red.
If she walked away, her father would die.
Her chest ached.
Adrian watched her closely, his gray eyes unreadable. "Make your choice."
She clenched her fists. "You're a monster."
He didn't deny it. "Maybe. But I'm the monster keeping your father alive."
The words shattered what little resistance she had left. Tears stung her eyes as she snatched the pen. With a shaky breath, she scrawled her name at the bottom of the contract.
Elena Rivera.
Her signature looked foreign, as if it belonged to someone else — a woman she no longer recognized.
Marcus clapped mockingly. "And just like that, the bride seals her fate."
"Get out," Adrian ordered, his voice sharp.
Marcus leaned down, whispering near Elena's ear before leaving. "Run while you still can, sweetheart. Chains are harder to break once they've tightened."
Elena shivered.
When the door finally closed, silence fell.
Grace cleared her throat gently. "Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood. The contract is official." She glanced at Elena, her gaze almost motherly. "Miss Rivera… you've made a brave decision."
Elena wanted to scream. Brave? She felt like she'd just signed her own death warrant.
Adrian folded the papers neatly, his every move precise, controlled. "You'll move into Blackwood Manor tomorrow. Grace will make the arrangements."
"Tomorrow?" Elena's voice cracked.
"Yes." Adrian's tone left no room for negotiation. "The media will know soon. We need appearances to match the story."
Elena's head spun. "Story?"
Grace hesitated, then spoke gently. "The world believes Adrian is… untouchable. A cold bachelor. This marriage will shock everyone. The press will eat it up.
Elena's stomach turned. "So I'm just your… performance?"
Adrian's eyes met hers, unreadable. "You're my shield."
Her breath caught. "And what happens when your curse decides to kill me, too?
For the first time, something flickered in Adrian's gaze. Not coldness. Not arrogance. But fear.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Then I'll do everything in my power to make sure it kills me first."
Elena froze, the words sinking deep into her chest. For just a second, she saw the man beneath the billionaire mask — broken, scarred, desperate.
Then his walls snapped back up. "Grace, escort Miss Rivera out."
Grace nodded, her voice soft. "Of course, sir."
Elena followed her numbly toward the door, but just as they stepped out, Adrian's voice echoed after her.
"Tomorrow, Elena. Be ready."
The hallway felt colder than the storm outside.
Grace touched her arm gently. "Don't let him scare you too much. He… he's not as heartless as he seems."
Elena bit her lip. "Then why does it feel like I've just sold my soul?"
Grace didn't answer.
As the elevator doors closed, Elena caug
ht her reflection in the mirrored walls. Pale, trembling, eyes haunted.
Tomorrow, she wouldn't just be Elena Rivera. She would be Mrs. Blackwood.
And nothing would ever be the same again.