Lena stared at her signature on the contract long after the ink had dried.
It didn't feel real.
Nothing about this felt real.
Just minutes ago, she had been drowning in debt, on the verge of losing everything she had. And now—
Now she was sitting in the office of Aiden Cole, having just agreed to marry him.
Her fingers curled slightly against her lap as the weight of her decision began to settle in.
What have I done?
"Stand."
Aiden's voice cut through her thoughts, calm and commanding.
Lena looked up, slightly startled. "What?"
"I have somewhere to be," he said, already reaching for his jacket. "You're coming with me."
Her brows furrowed. "Coming with you? Where?"
"You'll see."
That wasn't reassuring.
Lena hesitated, her mind still trying to catch up with everything that had happened. "Don't you think I deserve a little more explanation?"
Aiden adjusted his cufflinks, his expression unreadable. "You'll get what you need to know when it's necessary."
Frustration flickered across her face, but she quickly pushed it down.
She had signed the contract.
This was part of it.
Slowly, she stood.
The ride down the private elevator was silent.
Lena stood a short distance away from him, hyper-aware of his presence. The space felt smaller than it actually was, filled with a tension she couldn't quite explain.
Her thoughts raced.
Was she really doing this?
Marrying a man she barely knew?
A man who treated everything like a transaction?
Her reflection in the mirrored wall looked pale, uncertain.
A stranger.
"You'll need to fix that expression," Aiden said suddenly.
Lena blinked. "What expression?"
"You look like you're being led to your execution."
Her lips pressed together. "Maybe I am."
For a brief moment, something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes.
"You're being given an opportunity," he said. "Act like it."
The elevator doors opened before she could respond.
Outside, a sleek black car waited.
A driver stepped forward immediately, opening the door.
Lena hesitated for half a second before getting in.
Aiden followed.
The door closed, sealing them into a quiet, controlled space.
"Where are we going?" she asked again.
Aiden glanced at his watch. "A press conference."
Her heart skipped.
"A what?"
"A press conference," he repeated, as if it were nothing.
Lena stared at him, her pulse quickening. "And why exactly am I going to a press conference with you?"
Aiden turned his gaze toward her.
"To stand beside me."
Something about the way he said it made her stomach tighten.
"Stand beside you… as what?" she asked slowly, though she already had a bad feeling.
Aiden held her gaze.
"My fiancée."
The word hit her harder than she expected.
"Fiancée?" she repeated.
"Yes."
Lena shook her head immediately. "No. No, wait. You didn't say anything about announcing this—"
"I don't need to," he cut in smoothly.
Her frustration rose. "You absolutely do! This isn't something you just throw into the public without warning me!"
"It's already arranged," Aiden said calmly.
Her chest tightened. "You planned this?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't think to tell me?"
"You're telling me now," he replied.
Lena let out a sharp breath, running a hand through her hair. "This is insane."
"Control yourself," Aiden said, his tone dropping slightly. "You agreed to this."
"I agreed to a contract—not to being thrown in front of cameras like some—some—"
"Like my partner?" he finished.
She fell silent.
Because that was exactly what this was.
A role.
A performance.
A life she had just signed herself into.
The car came to a stop.
Lena's heart pounded as she looked out the window.
Reporters.
Cameras.
Crowds.
The scene outside was chaotic.
Flashes of light flickered constantly, voices overlapping, questions already being shouted even before Aiden stepped out.
Her breath caught.
"I can't do this," she said quietly.
Aiden reached for the door handle. "You can."
"No, I—this is too much. I wasn't prepared for this."
Aiden paused, then turned to look at her fully.
For the first time, there was something slightly more intense in his gaze.
"Look at me," he said.
Lena hesitated, then did.
"You wanted a way out," he continued. "This is it. But it comes with a price."
Her throat tightened.
"You don't get to hesitate now."
His words settled heavily in her chest.
Because he was right.
This was the deal.
Taking a slow breath, Lena straightened slightly.
"Good," Aiden said, as if sensing her shift.
Then he stepped out of the car.
The noise hit instantly.
Cameras flashed.
Voices rose.
"Aiden! Over here!"
"Is it true you're making an announcement today?"
"Who is that with you?"
Lena's heart raced as she stepped out after him.
The attention was overwhelming.
Blinding.
Terrifying.
Before she could react, Aiden's hand closed around hers.
Firm.
Steady.
Possessive.
Her breath caught.
"Stay close," he murmured.
And just like that—
She was pulled into his world.
They moved through the crowd, security keeping reporters at a distance as much as possible.
Still, questions flew endlessly.
"Mr. Cole! Are the rumors true?"
"Who is she?"
"Is this about your sudden engagement?"
Lena's grip tightened slightly in his hand.
Engagement?
So this had already been spreading?
Her mind spun.
They reached the stage.
Microphones.
Cameras.
Dozens of eyes watching.
Waiting.
Aiden stepped forward, completely unfazed.
Lena stood beside him, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it.
Aiden glanced at her briefly.
"Smile," he said under his breath.
She forced one.
Barely.
Then he turned to the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming," he began smoothly. "I'll keep this brief."
The room fell quieter.
Anticipation filled the air.
Aiden reached for Lena's hand again, pulling her slightly closer to his side.
The gesture was natural.
Practiced.
Possessive.
"This," he said, his voice steady, "is Lena."
Every camera turned toward her instantly.
Flashes blinded her.
Her breath hitched.
"And she is my fiancée."
The world seemed to stop.
For a split second—
There was silence.
Then—
Chaos.
Questions exploded from every direction.
"Fiancée?!"
"When did this happen?"
"Why has she never been seen before?"
"Is this a business arrangement or—"
Lena barely heard the rest.
Her mind was spinning.
This was real.
Too real.
Aiden's grip on her hand tightened slightly, grounding her.
"From today onward," he continued, his voice cutting through the noise, "she will be by my side."
More flashes.
More whispers.
More speculation.
Lena swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay still.
To play the role.
To survive this moment.
Because there was no going back now.
Not after this.
Not after him.
As the questions continued, Lena realized something that sent a chill through her entire body.
This wasn't just a contract anymore.
This wasn't just a deal.
This was his world
And Lena had just stepped into it.