Elena forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Then I guess I'll have to outplay him."
Her mother studied her, searching for cracks in her resolve. "Just promise me one thing."
Elena nodded.
"Don't lose yourself in this."
The words clung to her long after her mother left the room.
Because as much as she wanted to believe she was in control, she couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian Blackwood never made deals he didn't intend to win.
•OU LTE 864
---
By the time she arrived at Blackwood Enterprises, the entire building seemed to hum with energy. It was no secret that Adrian ran his empire with absolute authority. Employees moved with purpose, no one daring to linger too long in the halls. The air itself felt charged, a silent acknowledgment that they worked under a man who demanded nothing short of
excellence.
The moment she stepped out of the elevator and onto the executive floor, she spotted Adrian through the glass walls of his office. He stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands in his pockets, exuding effortless power.
Elena straightened her shoulders and walked in.
Adrian turned, his gray eyes sweeping over her like he had been expecting her. "Punctual. I like that."
She ignored the jab and placed the contract on his desk. "We need to set boundaries."
One dark brow lifted. "Boundaries? In a marriage?"
"This isn't a real marriage," she reminded him. "We need rules."
He gestured for her to continue, as if amused by the idea.
She took a steadying breath. "First, no real intimacy. We play our roles in public, but behind closed doors, we keep our distance.
Adrian tilted his head. "You expect people to believe we're in love without any affection?"
"They'll believe what we show them."
He didn't argue, but the glint in his eyes told her he wasn't convinced.
"Second," she continued, "I want full control over my family's company once this is over."
At that, Adrian leaned against the desk, arms crossing over his chest.
"That depends. Can you handle it?"
Elena's nails dug into her palm. "I wouldn't be here if I couldn't."
A slow smirk tugged at his lips, but he nodded. "Fine. Anything else?"
"Yes." She held his gaze. "We don't interfere in each other's personal lives."
A beat of silence stretched between them before Adrian let out a low chuckle. "You really think this is going to be that simple, don't you?"
Elena lifted her chin. "I think we both have something to gain. And if we
stick to the rules, we won't have a problem."
Adrian studied her, then pushed away from the desk. "Alright, sweetheart.
We'll play it your way."
For now.
••I LTE 864
---
The wedding was set for the end of the week. A lavish, over-the-top affair designed to sell the illusion of a perfect union. The guest list was already packed with business moguls, celebrities, and politicians.
Elena barely had time to process it all before she was swept into the whirlwind of preparations. Dresses, venues, press statements-it all moved at an exhausting pace, leaving her no room to breathe.
And then, before she knew it, it was the night before the wedding.
She stood in the dimly lit ballroom of the Blackwood estate, alone with Adrian for the final rehearsal. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the room, but the silence between
them felt heavier than anything.
Adrian watched her, his expression unreadable. "Are you having second thoughts?"
Elena exhaled slowly. "No."
"Liar," he murmured, stepping closer.
She stiffened as he reached for her hand, his touch light but possessive.
"Tomorrow, everything changes."
"I know."
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her skin. "Are you ready for that, Elena?"
She held his gaze, refusing to let him see her hesitation. "Are you?"
Adrian's smirk returned, slow and knowing.
"We'll see."
