The word wife echoed in my mind like a dangerous promise I couldn't escape.
My heartbeat was loud—too loud—as I stared at the man in front of me.
His expression didn't change. Not even a little.
He was serious.
Completely serious.
"You must be out of your mind," I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay composed.
Marry him?
A stranger?
Minutes after catching my fiancé cheating on me?
This had to be a nightmare.
"Think carefully before you reject my offer," he replied calmly.
That calmness irritated me.
How could he stand there like nothing was wrong when my entire world had just been destroyed?
"Why me?" I asked, my voice sharper this time.
"There are so many women out there. Why would someone like you need me?"
His eyes darkened slightly, like he found the question amusing.
"Because you're exactly what I need," he said.
That answer only made things worse.
I let out a frustrated breath and turned away for a second, trying to think.
Just minutes ago, I was about to walk down the aisle.
Now… everything was gone.
My relationship.
My trust.
My dignity.
"I don't trust you," I said finally, turning back to him.
He nodded slowly.
"You don't have to," he replied.
"This isn't about trust. It's about benefit."
Benefit.
That word made my stomach twist.
"What exactly do you want from me?" I asked carefully.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
His presence felt overwhelming, like he controlled the entire room without even trying.
"A contract marriage," he said.
My brows furrowed.
"You become my wife… in name."
"And in return?"
His lips curved slightly.
"I protect what's yours."
My breath hitched.
Protect what's mine…
My mind immediately went back to what he had said earlier.
My company.
My father's legacy.
Everything my fiancé was trying to take from me.
"How do I know you're not lying?" I asked.
"Because I gain nothing from lying to you," he replied.
That wasn't enough… but something about him felt real.
Dangerous—but real.
Behind me, my fiancé scoffed loudly.
"You actually believe this nonsense?" he said.
I turned to face him, anger rising again.
"And I should believe you?" I snapped.
"After everything I just saw?"
He rolled his eyes like I was being annoying.
"Let's not waste time," he said coldly.
"The wedding is already ruined. Just sign the papers later and we'll settle everything."
My heart dropped instantly.
"What papers?"
My best friend laughed softly.
"Oh… he didn't tell you?" she said with a smirk.
My chest tightened.
"Tell me what?"
My fiancé sighed impatiently.
"The agreement you signed when I proposed," he said.
My mind went blank.
"What agreement?"
"The one that transfers your shares to me after marriage," he replied casually.
My knees almost gave out.
No…
That couldn't be real.
"You lied to me…" I whispered.
He didn't deny it.
That silence confirmed everything.
Rage replaced the pain inside me.
"You planned this," I said, my voice shaking.
"From the very beginning."
"It's business," he replied coldly.
Something inside me snapped completely.
I turned back to the man in front of me—
The only person offering me a way out.
"If I agree…" I said slowly,
"what are your conditions?"
His eyes lit up slightly, like he had been waiting for that moment.
"Simple," he said.
"You stay by my side as my wife."
"You follow my rules."
"And you don't betray me."
My lips pressed into a thin line.
"And how long does this last?"
"Until I decide it ends."
My eyes widened.
"That's not a contract… that's control."
He smiled faintly.
"Call it whatever you want."
I hated how calm he was.
I hated how right he sounded.
I had nothing left.
Nothing… except this choice.
Lose everything…
Or risk everything.
My heart pounded as I took a deep breath.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
"Fine," I said.
The room went silent.
"I'll do it."
My fiancé's face darkened instantly.
"Have you lost your mind?" he snapped.
I ignored him completely.
My eyes stayed on the man in front of me.
"But this isn't for you," I added quietly.
"It's for me."
A slow smile spread across his lips.
"Good," he said.
"I prefer strong decisions."
My chest tightened.
I didn't know who he was…
I didn't know what he truly wanted…
But I knew one thing for sure—
I had just stepped into something far more dangerous than betrayal.
And there was no turning back.