Chapter 4: The Cold Proposal

Iris's POV

As I stepped into the small, private staff room down the hall, I kept asking myself why I was even giving this man a single second of my time.

I had asked another teacher to watch my class for five minutes, making a quick excuse just to step out. I shouldn't have done it.

I should have turned around, ignored his deep voice, and focused on my students. But something about the look in his eyes made my feet move before my brain could stop me.

Vladimir shut the door behind us, instantly making the tight room feel far too small. He didn't waste time with small talk.

He leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his broad arms over his chest. "I brought you in here because I don't like wasting time, Miss Hayes," he said, his deep voice carrying an authority that filled the quiet space.

He reached into his pocket and laid a printed document flat on the table between us.

I looked down at the paper, then back up at his sharp face. "What is this?"

"It is a business contract," Vladimir said, his dark eyes fixed on mine. "More specifically, a marriage of convenience. If you sign it, your life changes today. I am offering you total financial freedom. A monthly allowance that far exceeds your yearly teaching salary, a penthouse suite in Manhattan, an estate in Tuscany, and full access to top private healthcare and security detail."

He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me as he continued laying out the terms. "In addition, your daughter will be enrolled in the finest private academy in the country, fully paid for, with round-the-clock protection. You will never have to worry about rent, bills, or medical expenses ever again. In return, you will move into my residence, act as my wife at public functions and family gatherings, and help manage my household with Lily."

I stood there, my heart beating fast as I processed his words in my head. The arrogance of it made my face burn with heat.

"You're out of your mind," I said, my voice shaking with disbelief. "You think you can just crash into my life, throw money and fancy houses at my feet, and buy me like an object?"

"It is a business deal," Vladimir replied smoothly, crossing his broad arms over his chest. "You need money. I need a respectable wife to satisfy my father's demands and secure my standing with the board. It is mutually beneficial."

"Why me?" I blurted out, crossing my arms tightly over my chest as I glared at him. "Out of all the women in this city, why on earth are you offering this to a stranger you almost ran over in the rain?"

A slow, dark smirk flickered at the corner of his lips. "That is for me to know, Miss Hayes. Not you."

I let out a harsh breath, my jaw tightening at his dismissive tone. "Where is your daughter's mother anyway? How do you just jump into offering marriage to someone else when you already have a child?"

Vladimir’s face darkened slightly, a cold look passing over his sharp features. "Where is your daughter's father?" he countered, his tone dropping low.

"He's not relevant," I spat out immediately, my jaw tightening at the mere memory of the man who had abandoned me three years ago.

"Then we have something in common," Vladimir said flatly. "As for Lily's mother, you don't need to worry about her. She signed away her parental rights years ago for a hefty check. She was never a mother to Lily, and she will never be back."

A pang of sadness hit my heart for sweet little Lily, but I forced my expression to remain cold. "That's cold, Mr. Vasily. But my answer is still no. My life is not for sale."

I turned toward the door, my hand resting on the handle, but his next words stopped me in my tracks.

"Why do you do that?" he asked suddenly.

I paused, looking back over my shoulder. "Do what?"

"That smile," Vladimir said, stepping closer to me, his dark gaze pinned to my face. "You do it every single time you're uncomfortable, scared, or angry. You put on that ridiculous, fake smile like a wall. Why?"

I felt a sudden prickle of panic under my skin. I straightened my back, pulling my sweet teacher mask tight over my features, though my heart was about to leap out of my chest.

"Mind your business, Mr. Vasily," I snapped softly.

Without waiting for his response, I pulled the door open and walked straight back to my classroom, leaving him standing alone in the quiet room.

…….

By the time evening arrived, the safety of my routine had completely shattered.

I sat at the small kitchen table in our apartment, staring down at the pile of bills resting on the table. The letter from the landlord was right on top, bold black letters reminding me that rent was due by Friday. Next to it was the tuition notice for Hope's preschool, along with the rising cost of utilities.

I buried my face in my hands, letting out a long, shaky breath. Chloe was in the living room putting Hope to bed, her soft voice humming a lullaby.

I looked up at the thin walls of the apartment. It wasn't just the money. It was the constant, suffocating fear that had been chasing me for three years.

Every single time a strange car slowed down on our street, my blood ran cold. Every time the phone rang from an unknown number, I worried my toxic family had finally tracked me down to take Hope away from me or drag me back into their mess.

If I married Vladimir Vasily, no one could ever touch us. The Vasily name was a fortress.

I’d done my research, and the man was not to be messed with. His power would place an untouchable shield around my daughter.

Hope would have the best doctors, the best schools, a safe home, and a future where she would never have to worry about cold nights or empty plates.

I can survive a cold man, I thought to myself, my eyes hardening with resolve. I can't survive losing my daughter.

……..

An hour later, I was standing in the high-rise tower of Vasily Enterprises. The top floor was quiet, polished, and dimly lit. I walked straight past the empty secretary desks and pushed open the doors to his main office.

Vladimir was sitting behind his massive glass desk, a fountain pen resting between his long fingers. He didn't look surprised to see me. He simply leaned back in his chair, watching me walk across the room.

"I see you reconsidered," he said, his deep voice filling the quiet space.

I didn't answer him right away. I pulled a folded piece of paper out of my coat pocket and slapped it flat onto his glass desk.

"I have conditions," I said, my voice clear and unyielding. "If I am doing this, we do it on my terms."

Vladimir lifted an eyebrow, reaching forward to pull the paper toward him. He scanned the neat handwriting line by line.

"Separate bedrooms," he read out loud, his tone dripping with dark amusement. "Zero physical intimacy. Complete authority over the children's care and daily schedules. Full respect for my job at the academy and my independence."

He looked up from the paper, his dark eyes locking onto mine. The heat radiating off his body was overwhelming, but I refused to take a step back. I held my ground, keeping my chin lifted high.

"These are non-negotiable, Mr. Vasily," I said firmly. "You want a wife for your image? You get a partner who takes care of your daughter and stands by your side at public events. But my personal life, my body, and my daughter remain mine."

A slow, dark smirk spread across Vladimir’s sharp lips. He didn't argue. He didn't try to push back. Instead, he simply reached for his pen, unscrewed the cap, and signed his name at the bottom of my handwritten page with a quick, smooth stroke.

He tossed the pen onto the desk, the click echoing in the room.

Slowly, Vladimir stood up from his chair. He rounded the desk, taking steps toward me until he was standing directly in my personal space.

He was so tall I had to tilt my head back just to look him in the eyes. The faint smell of his expensive cologne swept over me, making my pulse spike wildly.

"Your rules are accepted, Mrs. Vasily," he murmured softly, his deep voice vibrating in his chest.

Before I could pull away, he reached out, the tip of his thumb lightly brushing against the edge of my lip, tracing the line where my guarded smile usually rested. His touch was warm, sending a sudden, electric shock straight down my spine.

"Just make sure you don't break under me," he whispered, his dark gaze burning into mine, "when the real storm begins."