Blackwood Tower rose like a glass giant against the evening sky.
Talia stood across the street, staring up at the building with a nervous knot twisting in her stomach. Everything about the place screamed money, power, and people who didn't belong to her world.
She adjusted the straps of her worn handbag on her shoulder.
What am I doing here?
Moments ago, she had been a struggling student worrying about hospital bills. Now, she was about to meet one of the most powerful men in the city… to discuss marrying him.
The thought still felt unreal.
She crossed the road slowly and stepped into the massive lobby.
Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. A front desk that looked more expensive than her entire apartment.
A sharply dressed receptionist looked up at her.
"Good evening. How may I help you?"
"I… um… I have an appointment," Talia said carefully. "With Mr. Blackwood."
The receptionist studied her for a brief second, then typed something into her computer.
"Name?"
"Talia Morgan."
The woman's expression changed immediately.
"Yes. You're expected."
Expected.
Her heart skipped.
"You can take the private elevator on the right. It will take you directly to the top floor."
Talia nodded, murmuring a thank you before walking toward the elevator with shaky legs.
The doors slid open silently.
Inside, there were no buttons. Just a sleek touch panel glowing softly.
Before she could touch anything, the doors closed on their own.
The elevator began to rise.
Fast.
Her stomach flipped as the numbers climbed higher and higher.
Penthouse level.
The doors opened to reveal a quiet hallway covered in plush carpet and dim golden lighting. Everything felt intimidatingly elegant.
At the far end stood a tall man in a black suit.
He wasn't looking at her. He was focused on his phone.
But even from a distance, Talia felt it.
His presence.
Powerful. Controlled. Untouchable.
She took slow steps toward him.
As she got closer, he finally looked up.
And the world seemed to pause.
Adrian Blackwood was even more striking in person.
Sharp jawline. Dark eyes. Broad shoulders. The kind of man who looked like he had never been told no in his entire life.
His gaze swept over her calmly. Assessing.
"So," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "You came."
Talia swallowed hard. "I almost didn't."
"That would have been unfortunate."
He studied her for a moment longer before gesturing toward a large door behind him.
"Come in."
He turned and walked ahead without waiting for her.
She hesitated for only a second before following.
The penthouse inside was breathtaking.
Floor-to-ceiling windows. Expensive furniture. A city view that stretched endlessly. Everything screamed luxury.
Adrian walked to a sleek glass table and placed a thick file on it.
"Sit."
Talia slowly took the chair across from him.
Up close, he was even more intimidating.
"How much do you know about this arrangement?" he asked.
"Very little," she admitted. "Someone called me and said you're offering fifty thousand dollars for a contract marriage."
"That's correct."
"And you expect me to just… agree without understanding why?"
Adrian leaned back slightly, studying her again.
"Fair enough."
He opened the file and slid a document toward her.
"This is a legally binding marriage contract. The marriage will last twelve months. During that time, you will publicly act as my wife when required."
"When required?" she repeated.
"Events. Dinners. Family functions. Media appearances."
Media?
Her pulse spiked.
"I don't want publicity."
"You won't get much. I keep my private life private. But my family needs to believe the marriage is real."
"Why?" she asked.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"My grandfather's will."
There it was.
He continued calmly, "He left the controlling shares of the company to me… on one condition."
Talia listened carefully.
"That I must be married before my thirtieth birthday."
"When is your birthday?"
"Four months from now."
Her eyes widened.
"So you're running out of time."
"Yes."
"And why not just… date someone? For real?"
His gaze hardened.
"Because real relationships come with expectations. Attachments. Weaknesses."
That sounded… personal.
"And you don't want that?"
"No."
The word was firm.
Talia glanced down at the document.
"What about rules?"
He didn't hesitate.
"No emotional involvement."
"No public scandals."
"No discussing the contract with anyone."
"Separate bedrooms."
"Mutual respect."
She looked up. "Separate bedrooms?"
"That's correct."
Relief flickered through her chest, though she didn't know why she had been worried.
"And after one year?"
"We divorce quietly."
Just like that.
A business transaction.
She hesitated.
"And the money?"
"Fifty thousand dollars will be transferred to your account immediately after the marriage license is signed."
Her heart thudded painfully.
"That's… a lot of money."
"It's compensation for your time and cooperation."
She studied his face.
He was calm. Controlled. Like this meant nothing to him.
But to her?
This was everything.
"Why me?" she asked quietly. "You could pick anyone. Models. Socialites. Women who actually belong in your world."
Adrian's gaze didn't waver.
"Because you won't fall in love with me."
The words caught her off guard.
"Excuse me?"
"You're here because you're desperate. Because you need money, not romance. That makes you ideal."
Ouch.
The truth stung more than she expected.
He continued, "You have no interest in my lifestyle. No ambition to cling to me. And no history that could cause complications."
Talia felt strangely exposed.
He had researched her.
Every part of her.
She looked back down at the contract.
Her mother's face flashed in her mind.
The weak smile. The oxygen tube. The whispered, "I'm sorry you have to carry all this alone, baby."
Talia's hands trembled slightly as she turned the pages.
It was all there.
Clear. Legal. Cold.
Twelve months of pretending.
In exchange for a chance to save her mother's life.
She took a slow breath.
"If I say yes," she said quietly, "when does this start?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"Immediately."
Her chest tightened.
"This is insane."
"Perhaps."
She looked at him again.
Cold. Distant. Unreadable.
Yet somehow… there was something else beneath it.
Pain?
Loneliness?
She pushed the thought away.
This wasn't about feelings.
This was survival.
She straightened slowly.
"I have conditions too."
Adrian's eyebrow lifted slightly. "Go on."
"You won't control my life outside of public appearances."
"Agreed."
"You won't use me as a tool against anyone."
"I have no interest in doing so."
"And if I feel unsafe at any point… the contract ends."
He studied her carefully, then nodded.
"Reasonable."
Silence filled the room.
This was the moment.
If she walked away now, nothing would change. Her mother would still be dying. The bills would still be impossible.
If she stayed…
Her life would never be the same.
She picked up the pen slowly.
Adrian watched her without expression.
Her hand hovered over the signature line.
And then…
She signed.
The pen felt heavier than it should.
When she finished, she slid the paper toward him.
Adrian looked down at her signature, then added his own.
Just like that, it was done.
He closed the file calmly.
"You'll move in tomorrow," he said.
"Tomorrow?" she echoed.
"Yes."
"I need to arrange things—"
"My assistant will handle everything."
Of course he would.
He stood, signaling the meeting was over.
Talia rose slowly too.
Her heart was still racing.
"So that's it?" she asked. "I just… go home and pretend I didn't just agree to marry a stranger?"
"For tonight, yes."
He walked her toward the door.
When they reached the entrance, he stopped.
"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "you made a logical decision."
She looked up at him.
"And you're sure this won't… get complicated?"
For the first time, something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
"It won't," he said firmly.
Talia nodded slowly.
Then she walked away.
She didn't see the way Adrian watched her leave.
Or the way his jaw tightened slightly, as if something inside him had already begun to shift.