~5~

PAPER WEDDING.

JASON.

She looked breathtaking in white. Her beauty struck me in ways I shouldn’t have let it. She was dressed as a bride, but here was the irony — this wasn't about love. It was something much darker, something twisted. It wasn't the usual happy ending for either of us. We were strangers, entering into an agreement. This wasn't marriage, this was a contract. It was business. My business.

“You're staring.” Ximena's voice cut in. “You haven't uttered a single word yet. Don't tell me I'm that captivating… that I'm stealing your breath away.”

I didn't look away. I stepped closer, cocking my head as I caught her scent— a mix of flowers and shampoo.

“I've been staring,” I said, a cocky smile tugging at my lips. “And it's clear you're enjoying the attention as much as I do.”

She rolled her eyes, trying to look unimpressed, but I could see through it. She tried to hide every subtle movement, but I knew I'd gotten under her skin. I'd driven her wild, and I loved it.

“You look… irresistible, just so you know.”

She turned away, brushing a hand through her auburn hair. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Jason. You and I know that's not what you think about me.”

“I never say what I don’t mean,” I replied, peering into her eyes. She quickly looked away, unable to meet my gaze.

“ I just can't wait to get through with this wedding stuff,” she muttered, fidgeting as she put on her earrings.

“Don't tell me you're nervous, Xim.”

She straightened her back, forcing a composed smile on her lips. “Nervous? Please. You think I'd let something like this rattle me?” Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her earrings, betraying the lie.

“I just want to get this over with and go home, okay?”

“Well, you do realize that this is our wedding, right? And you're coming home with me because after today, the world will know you’re my wife?”

“Wife? You mean your contract bride. You really think I'd let you control me, Jason?This is just a contract marriage, nothing more.”

I let out a low chuckle, letting the corner of my mouth lift into a smirk. “Why would I want to control you, Ximena? You know you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not the kind of man who controls women. They crave me… And yet… you agreed to this, didn’t you?’”

She swallowed, her fingers tightening slightly. I could see the pulse racing at her throat, and I loved it.

“You made me feel like I didn’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice, Ximena. You could have walked away that morning at the club, but you didn’t. You stayed.”

Her lips parted but no words came. She looked away again, pretending to fix her earring. I could tell she hated how easily I read her.

Moments later, we were at my private office, signing the papers. No flowers. No vows. Just two signatures that bound us together in something other than just marriage.

Her hand trembled slightly as she took the pen from me and signed on the paper, then the pen slipped from her hand, and I quickly caught it.

“Well, It’s done,” I said and she responded with a cold smile.

“Congratulations, Mr. Hansen. You’ve officially purchased your new trophy. I guess I'm officially your wife.”

She said the words, and a pang hit my chest. Not out of guilt or nerves, but a sharp reminder of why I was here— for an heir. I already had a wife, Isabella, the woman I wanted to grow old with. But life rarely bends to what we want. So here I was, standing beside a stranger, sealing a deal that had nothing to do with love— only legacy.

I leaned closer. “Careful with your words, sweetheart. You might start to sound like you care.”

She looked at me, expression unreadable. “Trust me, Mr. Hansen, caring is the last thing I’d do.”

I tilted my head, studying her face. “You look tense,” I said quietly. “Don’t worry, it’ll pass. The first day of being Mrs. Hansen always feels heavier than it should.”

“What do you mean?” She asked, a brow furrowed.

“Well, for a start, you’re married to Jason Hansen. Most women would kill for that… and you’re carrying my child. I’d say you’ve done well for yourself.”

“You know you need to get over yourself, Mr Hansen,” she said with an eye roll. “You're so full of yourself.

I liked getting under her skin, and it was even better knowing she couldn’t hide it.

~•~

The wedding night wasn’t the usual kind. The mansion was quieter than ever—eerily still—and somehow, I liked it.

Ximena was in her room. We’d agreed to stay out of each other’s way until the contract was over. I just need an heir, and once I had one, the contract would have run its course.

I lay on the bed, thinking. Ximena, the marriage, the child I was so desperate to have— they all crowded my head, the thoughts overwhelming me.

My phone buzzed, suddenly, cutting me off my train of thoughts. My eyes narrowed as I saw the caller ID. Isabella.

What the hell? I’d told her I’d be busy. She didn’t have to call. This wasn’t the first time I’d been away for more than a week, and she knew that. Everything she needed—every luxury, every comfort—was already taken care of. So why was she calling now?

I answered, jaw tight. I didn’t want to sound harsh, so I forced my voice steady. “Hello?”

“Jason,” her voice trembled slightly, “there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“What’s it?” I kept my tone low. Good thing Ximena was two rooms away; there was no chance she’d overhear and find out about Isabella.

“It’s a lot,” Isabella whispered, her voice almost inaudible.

“A lot?” My brows drew together in shock. What had happened? And why did she sound like she'd encountered a ghost or something?

“Yes. But I can’t tell you everything over the phone.”

I frowned. “Then why call if you can’t talk?”

A shaky breath came through the line. “Because… Jason, I’m outside the gate. Something bad happened and I can't just tell you about it over the phone. It's a very long story.”

I froze. What the hell was she doing here?