Sign it

Abigail’s hands trembled as she pulled the dry clothes over her body. The warmth of the fabric did little to chase away the cold settling deep in her bones.  

She felt hollow. Empty.  

Her damp hair clung to her neck as she stood in front of the mirror, staring at a woman she barely recognized.  

This wasn’t her.  

This wasn’t who she was supposed to be.  

And yet, here she was.  

A quiet knock at the door made her flinch.  

One of the maids poked her head in, keeping her eyes lowered. “Mr. Dante is waiting in the study.”  

Abigail swallowed, nodding stiffly.  

Her legs felt unsteady as she made her way down the long, dimly lit corridor. The house was silent, too silent, every step echoing around her like a cruel reminder of where she stood.  

Where she belonged now.  

She reached the study door, her heart hammering.  

Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open.  

Edward sat behind a large mahogany desk, his posture relaxed, fingers tapping lazily against the polished surface. A glass of whiskey rested beside him, untouched.  

His piercing blue eyes lifted to meet hers.  

“You took your time.”  

Abigail ignored the jab, stepping inside. “What do you want?”  

Edward smirked, leaning back. “You already know.”  

Her stomach twisted as he reached for a sleek black folder and slid it across the desk.  

A contract.  

Her name was printed in bold letters on the first page.  

Edward gestured to the seat across from him. “Sit.”  

She didn’t move.  

His expression didn’t change, but the air in the room shifted. “Abigail.”  

Her hands curled into fists.  

Slowly, she stepped forward and lowered herself into the chair.  

Edward tapped the folder. “Read it if you want. It won’t change anything.”  

She hesitated before flipping open the first page.  

The words blurred together, her pulse pounding in her ears.  

Marriage contract.  

Twelve months.  

No escape.  

Edward watched her silently, his presence suffocating.  

Her voice was barely a whisper. “You planned this all along.”  

He smirked. “You’re only realizing that now?”  

Her fingers dug into the paper. “You knew my father would agree. You knew I’d have no choice.”  

Edward tilted his head. “And yet, you still fought. You still slapped me. Still ran.”  

His voice dropped, amusement laced with something darker.  

“But here you are.”  

Abigail’s throat tightened.  

He leaned forward slightly. “You will sign it.”  

Her grip on the pen trembled. “I...”  

Edward arched a brow. “You what?”  

Her breath came out unsteady. “I need time.”  

A low chuckle escaped him. “Time?” He repeated the word like it amused him. “For what? To convince yourself you still have a choice?”  

Abigail’s stomach twisted.  

Edward exhaled, shaking his head. “You’re wasting both of our time.”  

Her jaw clenched. “You want me to sign away my life? Just like that?”  

He shrugged. “It’s already mine.”  

Her pulse spiked. “I am not your property.”  

Edward smirked. “You’re not?” He gestured around them. “You came here on your knees, Abigail. You begged without saying a word.”  

Her cheeks burned with shame.  

His gaze darkened. “Sign the contract.”  

Her fingers curled around the pen. She stared at the page, the ink taunting her, sealing her fate before she even moved.  

Edward watched her, waiting.  

She hesitated.  

He tsked, shaking his head. “Still clinging to pride, are we?”  

Abigail swallowed. “I...”  

He cut her off with a slow, lazy smile. “You think anyone will save you?”  

Her breath hitched.  

Edward leaned back, swirling the untouched whiskey in his glass. “Your mother hates you. Your sister resents you. Your father is dying, and you...” He tilted his head. “You’re sitting here, pretending you have something left to fight for.”  

Her heart clenched painfully.  

He was right.  

God, he was right.  

Edward exhaled, eyes locked onto hers. “I’ll give you five seconds.”  

Abigail’s stomach dropped.  

“Five.”  

She gripped the pen tighter.  

“Four.”  

Her hands trembled.  

“Three.”  

Tears burned the back of her eyes.  

“Two.”  

Her father’s face flashed in her mind.  

“One.”  

The pen scratched against the paper.  

Edward smirked.  

And just like that...  

She belonged to him.