Chapter 1 - THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
“You want me to marry you?”
I stared at the black folder on Adrian Vale's desk.
The lawyer beside him adjusted his glasses.
Adrian remained perfectly still in his wheelchair.
“Yes.”
I laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because I had spent the past three weeks cleaning conference rooms, and somehow my life had turned into a situation that sounded like a terrible television drama.
“You're joking.”
“No.”
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough.”
I folded my arms.
“You know I drink cheap coffee and can't afford decent sneakers.”
“I also know you're intelligent, stubborn, and apparently incapable of being intimidated by me.”
I glanced at the armed guards outside.
“Give me time.”
His mouth twitched.
The lawyer cleared his throat.
“Miss Bennett, perhaps I should explain.”
I looked at him.
“Please do.”
He introduced himself as Thomas Reed, Adrian's longtime attorney.
According to Thomas, Adrian's grandfather had created a succession agreement decades earlier.
The document allowed the family council to challenge a Don's leadership if they believed he could no longer protect the family's interests.
Normally, removing a Don required an overwhelming vote.
But there was an exception.
A married Don whose spouse was recognized as a legitimate member of the household could invoke a separate review process requiring stronger evidence of incapacity.
I stared at Adrian.
“So you need a wife to keep your job?”
He smiled faintly.
“That's one interpretation.”
“What's the other?”
“I need someone the council cannot easily control.”
I looked toward the guards.
“And you picked the cleaning lady?”
“You're not connected to any of the families.”
“That's supposed to be reassuring?”
“You have no reason to betray me.”
I laughed.
“Neither did your board members, apparently.”
Adrian's expression changed.
Then he smiled.
“Exactly.”
Thomas opened the folder.
The agreement was simple.
Twelve months.
A legal marriage.
Separate bedrooms.
Public appearances when necessary.
Financial security for my mother.
A trust worth five million dollars payable after the contract ended.
I stared at the number.
Five million.
My entire life could change.
My mother's treatment.
Her hospital bills.
The degree I never finished.
The future I had stopped imagining.
I looked at Adrian.
“What happens if I say no?”
He answered immediately.
“You walk out.”
I studied him.
“No threats?”
“No.”
“No firing me?”
“No.”
“No mysterious accident involving my apartment?”
His expression darkened.
“Claire.”
I swallowed.
He leaned forward slightly.
“I am offering you a choice.”
I looked at the contract.
Then asked the question that mattered most.
“Will my mother receive treatment even if I refuse?”
Adrian went still.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he answered.
“Yes.”
My throat tightened.
“Why?”
His eyes held mine.
“Because she needs it.”
I looked down.
For the first time, I realized Adrian Vale might be dangerous.
But he wasn't the kind of dangerous man I had expected.
I picked up the pen.
Then stopped.
“One condition.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Only one?”
I smiled faintly.
“For now.”
He leaned back.
“Go ahead.”
I met his gaze.
“If I'm going to be your wife, even temporarily, you don't get to treat me like property.”
His expression softened.
“Agreed.”
“And no lying.”
A pause.
His smile disappeared.
“That may be difficult.”
I stared.
“Then find another bride.”
I pushed the folder away.
Adrian watched me.
Then slowly extended his hand.
“Agreed.”
May you like
I shook it.
And three days later, I became Mrs. Adrian Vale.
