The loud music of the club echoed in Amelia's ears as she tried to forget the worst day of her life.
Just hours ago, she found out that her boyfriend had cheated on her with her best friend. Humiliated and heartbroken, she made a reckless decision — to drink until she couldn't remember anything.
That was when she met him.
Tall. Cold. Dangerously handsome.
His sharp eyes locked onto hers from across the room. There was something powerful about him, something that made her heart race.
One drink turned into two. Two turned into a blurry night.
The next morning, Amelia woke up in a luxurious penthouse suite. Her head hurt. Her body felt sore.
And beside her…
Was a stranger.
A man whose name she didn't even know.
Before she could escape, the bathroom door opened.
He walked out in a black robe, looking calm and composed.
"You're awake," he said coldly.
Amelia's heart stopped when she saw the expensive ring on his finger — and the identical one on hers.
"What did we do last night?" she whispered.
The man stared at her with unreadable eyes.
"We got married."
The next morning, Amelia woke up in a luxurious penthouse suite she had never seen before.
Her head throbbed painfully. The sunlight filtered through the massive glass windows, revealing a breathtaking city view.
"Where am I…?" she whispered.
Memories of the night before came crashing back in fragments — the club, the drinks, the stranger.
And then the bed shifted beside her.
Her heart stopped.
Slowly, she turned her head.
There he was.
The same man from last night.
Shirtless. Calm. Watching her.
"You're finally awake," he said in a deep, steady voice.
Amelia's breath caught in her throat. She quickly pulled the blanket closer around herself.
"What happened last night?" she demanded.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"You don't remember signing the marriage agreement?"
Her world froze.
"M-marriage…?"
He sat up, his cold eyes locking onto hers.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Blackwood."
The man didn't look away.
Instead, he reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and took a calm sip, as if her panic meant nothing to him.
"Relax," he said coolly. "You signed the contract yourself."
"Contract?" Amelia's voice trembled. "What contract?"
He stood up from the bed, completely unbothered, and walked toward a sleek black briefcase resting near the couch. His movements were slow, confident… controlled.
From inside, he pulled out a thin stack of papers and tossed them onto the bed in front of her.
"Marriage Agreement."
Her hands shook as she flipped through the pages.
Her signature was there.
Clear.
Undeniable.
"No… this can't be real," she whispered.
He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her.
"It's very real," he replied. "And from today onward, you are legally my wife."
Her chest tightened.
"Why would I marry a stranger?"
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Because you needed money."
Her breath hitched.
He continued calmly, "Your father's debt. The hospital bills. The loan sharks looking for you."
Her face went pale.
"How do you know about that?"
"I know everything about what belongs to me."
The possessiveness in his tone sent a chill down her spine.
"I don't belong to you!" she snapped, finally finding her voice.
His eyes darkened.
"You do now."
Silence filled the massive penthouse.
Outside, the city buzzed with life, unaware that Amelia's world had just collapsed.
She wasn't sure which terrified her more—
The contract.
The man.
Or the fact that a small part of her felt strangely drawn to him.
Amelia hated that feeling.
Hated the way her pulse quickened whenever he stepped closer.
This man was dangerous. Powerful. Controlling.
And yet…
There was something in his eyes — something lonely.
She quickly shook the thought away.
"This marriage means nothing," she said firmly. "I won't stay."
Ethan chuckled softly, the sound deep and unsettling.
"You don't have a choice."
"I always have a choice."
"Not when your freedom depends on me."
Her heart skipped. "What do you mean?"
He walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the glittering skyline.
"Your father owed dangerous people millions," he said calmly. "I paid them off last night."
Amelia froze.
"You… what?"
"They won't bother you anymore. As long as you remain my wife."
The weight of his words crushed her.
"So this is blackmail?"
"This is protection," he corrected.
She stared at the man who had just taken control of her entire life in a single night.
"Why me?" she whispered.
For the first time, his expression shifted — just slightly.
"Because I need a wife."
"That's insane."
"My grandfather's will requires it," he said flatly. "If I'm not married within a month, I lose controlling shares of the company."
Realization slowly dawned on her.
"So I'm just… convenient?"
"Yes."
The honesty hurt more than a lie.
Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
"Fine," she said quietly. "But this is just a contract. Nothing more."
Ethan stepped closer again, stopping just inches away.
"We'll see about that, Mrs. Blackwood."
Her breath caught.
This wasn't just the beginning of a forced marriage.
It was the beginning of a dangerous game neither of them was prepared for.
And Amelia had no idea—
Falling in love would be the most dangerous part of all.