I couldn't see myself at a disadvantage in this contract. If things went south, we could always get a divorce after a year.
But there was one thing I had to take care of.
"Mr. Blackwood… could you exclude the term about the conjugal relationship between the married couple?" I asked cautiously.
Lucas froze for a moment, surprise flickering across his face. Then that mischievous, infuriating smile returned.
"May I ask why?" he said, lips curling. "Could it be that you don't find my body attractive enough?"
I froze.
Of course he was attractive. A walking god. Did he even need to ask?
But no way was I going to sleep with him immediately after marriage. We needed to… familiarize ourselves first. Common sense. Anyone with any relationship experience would know that! Unless—oh no—he'd never been in a relationship before? Could it really be so?
I glanced at him. What exactly had I gotten myself into? Well, it wasn't like I had a choice anyway.
"It's not about that…" I coughed nervously, trying to calm my racing heart. I grabbed a glass of water and chugged it down in one gulp.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Not that? Could it be that you're worried I won't satisfy you well enough?"
I almost choked on the water.
He didn't just say that!
"And if you're still worried," he continued, rising smoothly from the chair, "we could always… test it first. You could confirm that I'm good enough."
I nearly fell off the couch.
No. This is not happening.
At least consider your secretary! She's still standing there!
"Mr. Blackwood, I—" Grace bowed stiffly and hurried out of the room, leaving me alone with this impossible man.
I crawled back on the couch, screaming, "Wait! Stop! We do not need to try anything! I never doubted you! I—definitely do not doubt your… skills!"
Lucas laughed lightly, and I froze.
"…" Was he teasing me again?
Finally, his expression turned serious. "Why do you want it removed?"
I took a deep breath. If I was going to marry him, I had to be honest.
"First… I've never been close with a man in that… extreme way before. And second…" I hesitated, my throat dry.
Never been close with a man? That did surprise him—especially given that I had kissed him without a second thought. But he couldn't hide his satisfaction at knowing his future wife was untouched and pure. Now… he could corrupt me all he wanted.
"My past relationships weren't good," I said softly. "They all ended horribly, so I can't trust anyone easily. I need time. I hope you understand."
The memories of Fu Jianguo still haunted me. My life had been… difficult.
Boyfriend betrayed me.Parents abandoned me.Family turned against me.My cousin Chen Ying—someone I had loved and trusted—wished me dead.
I had shut myself off. I had no one. Fu Liling was my only friend, and even she had become distant after Fu Jianguo.
Lucas's voice was gentle. "I understand. You never needed to worry about that. I won't force you into anything you don't want. Everything will happen naturally."
I smiled faintly and quickly signed the documents. Normally, I would've taken a day or two to think, but I had no choice. My circumstances were a volcano ready to erupt. Losing my job, spending my savings… this was my only path forward.
Honestly… maybe Lucas Blackwood was an angel sent by God.
"What about your family? Will they accept this marriage?" I asked.
"You don't need to worry," he said. "As long as you have my support, no one will dare bully you."
His words… strange as they were, they eased a little of the tension in my chest. Maybe he wouldn't abandon me later.
Still… I couldn't be completely sure. Time would tell.
"So… when and where are we getting married?" I asked.
Grace returned and placed the signed contract neatly in a file.
"Right now," Lucas said simply.
I froze. Of course. I should have expected this. But still… the weight of it made my heart skip.
"I've already booked the registration," he continued. "Let's go and get our names officially registered."
I bit my lip. As a child, I had dreamed of a perfect wedding day with Fu Jianguo. After his betrayal, that hope died completely. Marriage had become a word that sickened me.
Yet now… my heart was in turmoil. Confusion. Fear. And… a strange glimmer of hope I couldn't explain.
Even if it was only a marriage of convenience, it felt like a step forward. Maybe… just maybe… it could work out.
"You already booked the registration?" I laughed nervously. "Looks like Mr. Blackwood is determined to marry me today at all costs."
"What can I say," he winked, straightening his suit, "no one can resist the strike of my charm."
I tilted my lips upward, more like no one can survive the strike of your tricks.
As I stood up, I slipped on the water I'd just spat out. "I'm alright!" I managed to grab the couch and steady myself—but something worse happened.
My gun.
It had slipped from my waist and clattered heavily to the floor.
Old crap…