CHAPTER 4

Elena's POV

I was in the hospital waiting to see my mother's Doctor to beg him to give us more time when I got the call. I was waiting outside when a Black SUV with tinted windows pulled over.

The driver's glass went down “ Miss Elena Carter.?” He asked.

“Yes” I answered, still being skeptical. He got me fired from my Job so what does he possibly have for me? As far as helping my mother, I needed to hear him out.

We arrived at the office. The office was magnanimous, a tall glass sleek building high enough to reach the sky. The sunlight reflected on the building giving it this glow. At the entrance, the revolving doors gleamed under the sun light, and a steady flow of sharply dressed employees moved in and out.

A man on black ironed expensive suit with black hair slicked back wearing a black glasses greeted me outside.

“Miss Carter?” His tone was professional but friendly.

I nodded. “I'm Victor, Alexander's Secretary. Please follow me”

I followed him. The lobby was busy, high ceilings, shiny marble floors with a chandelier casting a nice glow on it. We entered the elevator, stopped at the twentieth floor. How high was this building? I wondered. Then we got off the elevator.

It was like a long hallway. The walls, adorned with tasteful artwork that seemed to give the floor a calm feeling. Sunlight filtered through the floor to ceiling windows casting shadows across the hardwood floor.

Then we made a turn to the left. A desk stood by the side. The receptionist. She waved us giving a go ahead and then we got to the door of the office. A black two faced door unlike most office doors which were transparent. This one was thick and the sides were covered with blinds not giving anyone a chance to glance through.

The man knocked, then told me to enter. There Alexander was, seated behind his desk. His shoulder-length curly black hair styled With a few strands falling over his forehead and his sharp jawline. His stormy Gray eyes staring me down and studying me with an intensity that made me count my steps as I got to his desk.

The table was empty with only a file and pen faced towards the other side where I would sit. The office was simple, A desk, then a cupboard where he displayed his trophies and achievements. What a show-off. The air was cool and calm..

“Sit down” He interrupted me as I was still observing. I was nervous as I sat down. My hands were sweaty and I kept looking down waiting for him to say what he called me for.

“I need a wife and you need money for your mum's medical bills” His tone was firm, and authoritative.

I was surprised by his directness. No greeting or anything, he was straight to the point.

He leaned forward, directing his hand for me to take the file. “ That is a contract, you will see a list of terms you would follow once you sign it”

How confident. He was so sure in fact he had no doubt I would refuse. What an arrogant asshole. “You're awfully proud of someone who needs my help”.

He smirked and a small laugh on his lips.

“Don't get me wrong, I don't need your help. I am offering you a solution to your problem”. He stated.

I ignored his words. I reached for the file with slightly trembling fingers. Slowly, I flipped it open. The contract was neatly typed, the terms laid out well and numbered. I started reading it. I read through it.

The marriage will last for a period of three years, during which they would pose a couple outside and after they get divorced.

Both parties are required to attend all public gatherings together.

This contract must be between them and no other person should know as It would lead to a breach of contract.

She will be required to move into the Sterling's household for the duration of the contract.

She will receive a monthly allowance for personal expenses and after the contract a sum settlement of five million dollars.

In exchange for her compliance, he will cover all medical expenses related to her mother's treatment.

The contract is strictly transactional and therefore no children will be needed. If she breaks any of the terms, the contract will be terminated and she will be sued for breaking the contract.

I exhaled sharply, closing the file before looking up at him. He was watching me, calm and composed, as if he had done this a hundred times before.

“This is insane,” I muttered.

His expression didn’t change. “It’s practical.”

I let out a small laugh. “You’re offering me money in exchange for being your wife. That’s not practical, that’s insane.”

“You need money, and I need a wife. This arrangement benefits us both. I don’t see the issue.” He said.

“The issue,” I said, gripping the file tightly, “is that marriage is supposed to mean something.”

His jaw tensed slightly, but his voice remained steady. “Marriage is just a contract, Elena. Nothing more. You sign papers, follow rules, and at the end of the agreement, we walk away.”

I shook my head. “And why exactly do you need a wife? A man like you can have any woman he wants.”

For the first time, a flicker of something crossed his face. Annoyance? Amusement? I couldn’t tell.

His lips pressed together, and I could tell he wasn’t going to give me more details than necessary.

“That’s not your concern. What matters is that this could solve your problems, Elena. Your mother’s medical bills, your financial struggles, it all goes away the moment you sign that contract.”

I swallowed, all this sounded too good to be true and I barely knew this man.

And yet, wasn’t this what I needed?

I was desperate to find a way to keep my mother’s treatment going.

If I signed this, all of that would disappear.

But at what cost?

I looked at Alexander again, taking in the sharp angles of his face, the piercing stormy Gray eyes that didn’t waver under my gaze. He was handsome, yes, but there was something cold about him, something unreadable.

Could I really do this? Could I agree to marry a man I barely knew?

As if sensing my hesitation, he spoke again. “I’m not asking for love, Elena. Just an agreement. Three years then we divorce, and you get to walk away with everything you need.”

I let out a slow breath. My mother’s face flashed in my mind, Ryan could finally be happy and he could go to a better school.

I didn’t have any other options.

The offer was good except the fact that I didn't know what I was getting myself into.