Allegra could clearly remember the moment her life fell apart.
The O'Connell house was tense as Allegra stormed into the living room, where her stepmother and stepsister lounged on the couch, watching TV.
"You stole my savings, Ivy!" Allegra blew hot at her stepsister. "Every single penny I have saved for two years!" Her voice was shaking with fury.
Ivy did not flinch. "Someone had to spend it." Ivy spoke, smirking. "Besides, what kind of idiot leaves her password written in a notebook? I was simply teaching you a little life lesson."
Allegra's chest burned. Growing up with Ivy, she had often let things slide out of fear of Ivy's mother, Violet. But this was unforgivable.
"You have gone too far!" Allegra yelled through barely contained anger. "That money was my ticket out of this house!"
Allegra's stepmother, Violet, spoke for the first time. "Perhaps you were never meant to leave." She spoke sweetly, while swirling her glass of wine.
"Enough!" A voice boomed from the staircase.
Her father, Richard O'Connell, descended the stairs, joining them in the living room. Allegra heaved a sigh of relief. Richard was loving, fair and firm. He always did the right thing.
"Ivy, return your sister's money!" He commanded. "Now."
"Richard honey—-" Violet tried to speak, but her husband silenced her with one look.
Before anyone could move an inch, Richard clutched his chest.
His face twisted in pain.
"Dad?" Allegra called, stepping forward.
Her eyes widened as she watched him collapse.
When the ambulance came, it was too late…
Two days later, Allegra stood in the cemetery, watching them bury her father; the only man she loved who never broke her heart.
"…the estate of the late Richard O'Connell shall pass pass to his wife, Violet O'Connell!" The lawyer's voice rang out.
Allegra felt her knees weaken. Her father would never just leave her with nothing. Violet must have tampered with the will _ the smug smile on Violet's face confirmed it.
As if on a cue, rain started pouring heavily, making everyone run for cover.
Allegra simply stood there, drenched, staring at her father's grave, numb and hopeless.
When she returned home that night, two of her suitcases were on the pavement. Violet would not let her through the front door.
"The only person who loved you is gone now." Violet sneered. "Your presence is no longer needed in this house." She slammed the door.
And just like that, Allegra's life had come crumbling down.
The next day, Allegra dragged herself to work. She had lost her father, her home and her money. She could barely afford enough for a motel room and had not eaten since yesterday. She needed every hour she could get.
Her world had been completely flipped over and she had no one to save her. She sat at her desk, typing, while her stomach twisted painfully.
"Allegra?" Came a soft voice, smooth as silk. The kind of voice that could soothe and command in the same breath.
It was Estelle Greyworth, matriarch of the Greyworth empire and mother to the multibillionaire, Nicholas Greyworth.
"Follow me." The woman said, then turned around and walked gracefully back to her glass-walled office with Allegra trudging behind.
Estelle Greyworth was the perfect picture of elegance and steel. She had a soft voice and a calculating smile that never reached her cold eyes _ eyes that could bore into a person's soul. Her aura was intimidating.
"Sit, dear." Estelle said to Allegra, after taking a seat herself.
Allegra obeyed. She had worked as Estelle's Personal Assistant for two years, she knew the woman's habits, her allies and even her perfume _ she knew, more than most, how cold and calculating the matriarch was. Estelle was all steel, behind her elegance.
"You seem troubled." Estelle said sweetly. "And quite frankly, you look like a mess. That is not like you."
Allegra straightened her posture, flustered with shame. "I'm sorry, Mrs Greyworth. I—"
"Nonsense." Estelle waved her hand. A flawless, practiced gesture. "There's no reason to apologize. You've been through something terrible."
Allegra froze in her seat. She had not told anyone at work what happened. "How did you know?" She asked, surprised.
"I know all that happens around me. Helps me avoid any… surprises." Estelle said. "Especially from the people who work for me. So tell me dear; what has happened?"
As if on a spell, she told her boss everything _ the theft, her father's death, the will and her stepmother's cruelty. She did not leave a single detail out.
When she finished, Estelle handed her a handkerchief to wipe the tears that stained her cheeks.
"You're desperate." Estelle spoke the cold truth. She reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Allegra's face, then studied her for a long, quiet moment. "You remind me of someone I used to know. A kind woman, probably too kind of this world."
Estelle's voice was gentle, but her gaze was cold and calculating.
"Mrs Greyworth?" Allegra shifted uncomfortably under Estelle's intense gaze.
"Life is cruel. It has a funny way of punishing the good." Estelle said, then moved to the window. "My son, Nicholas, lost his ability to walk, in an accident that killed his wife. He's a brilliant man and the CEO of Greyworth Consolidated."
The name Nicholas Greyworth was as powerful as thunder. The ruthless multibillionaire, who had been widowed and crippled by a fatal accident. The news had spread like wildfire through Brightwater city, so Allegra was not surprised by what Estelle said.
What truly surprised her, was the woman's next words.
"You will marry Nicholas." Estelle walked back to her desk, to face Allegra with determined eyes. "Consider it a marriage of convenience for five years, bound by contract. You will help my son manage his private affairs and attend public events and be the wife the world needs to see. In return, you will walk away with five million dollars, enough money to rebuild your life."
Allegra's jaw dropped. "I—- I can't—-"
"You can and you will." Estelle said. Her tone was soft, but left no room for argument. Her words were commands, masked as comfort. "The press has been relentless and his board members circle him like vultures. I have run out of options. A stable family image will calm the storm. You would be helping me, him and yourself, dear."
Allegra trembled in her seat, with Estelle's words echoing in her head. She knew it was absolute madness, but also knew she had no choice. Her life was a complete mess; what did she have to lose?
Her throat tightened, but she was determined to speak. "You have a hundred other options. Why me?" Allegra managed to ask.
"Because you are respectful, honest and quiet." Estelle leaned closer, lowering her voice dangerously. "And because I trust you not to betray me, dear."
It sounded more like a threat. Estelle Greyworth had mastered the art of pure manipulation. But Allegra could not refuse. She was truly desperate.
Allegra's lips parted, but she words could not come out.
Estelle continued, unbothered by Allegra's silence. "Do you part and endure. With time, Nicholas will appreciate you." Estelle drew out a slim leather folder from her desk and laid it on the table before Allegra. "This contains the terms of the contract. All you have to do, is sign."
Allegra stated at the document im front of her. Five years of her life, written in ink.
Her hands shook as Estelle placed a pen in her palm. "Go on, dear. Sign the contract. Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime."
Allegra hesitated for one last moment.
Then she gathered all the courage she could muster, and signed. It was done. Her fate was sealed.
"Very good." Estelle said, flashing one of her self-satisfied smiles. "The ceremony will hold by noon tomorrow."
Allegra immediately protested. "So soon?"
"Why wait?" Estelle spoke smoothly. "Tomorrow, you become Mrs. Nicholas Greyworth. Welcome to the family, dear."
Estelle wished Allegra a goodnight and left the office, her heels clicking elegantly against the marble floor.
Allegra did not know it yet, but she had just signed a document that would change her forever.