Chapter 4

As expected, Helton James Blake went rigid. His sharp, composed expression didn’t falter, but something in his posture shifted. His dark eyes locked onto mine, piercing and calculating.

Then, slowly, he stood.

“You really are something, you know that?” His voice was smooth, almost amused, but there was an underlying challenge.

“Fine, then.” He leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “But tell me, Zenith—what else are you willing to give? Making Dexter a laughingstock? That’s easy. I could do that without marrying you.”

He was right. He didn’t need me for that. But I needed him.

My wedding with Dexter is set for three months from now. If I didn’t get married, I’d be the one people laughed at—my friends, classmates, the ones who’d seen me flaunt the relationship online for years.

The image of Dexter’s betrayal burned in my mind. His excuses. His lies. My stomach twisted. I wanted him to suffer.

This wasn’t just about saving my mother. If it were, I could borrow money from the loan sharks. They’d happily trap me in debt forever.

No. I wanted to destroy Dexter. To make him feel a fraction of what I’d felt walking in on him with someone else.

I inhaled deeply, staring at Helton James.

“If you will not marry me, you’re useless to me,” I said firmly. “I can give you a wife on paper, and nothing more.”

That was the truth… or so I thought. Silence stretched between us.

Then Helton James moved. Slow, deliberate. His eyes narrowed as he approached, steps measured, predatory. The air thickened, heavy with an intensity I wasn’t prepared for.

I forced myself to stay still, heart pounding. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

“You want to marry me and have my name, Zenith?”

His breath grazed my ear, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“Then you’ll take everything that comes with it.”

My eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

He smiled, fingers gripping the arms of my chair as he slowly turned it to face me.

Our noses almost touched. Our breaths mingled.

“Everything,” he murmured. “My money. My fame. Even my body.”

My breath hitched. But I shook my head. No. I couldn’t do that.

“I want a strictly contractual marriage. With a time limit,” I said, voice steady, hands clenched into fists.

His lips curled into a smirk. “And a contract marriage is what you’ll get. No feelings. No strings attached. One year.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I won’t sleep with you.” I didn’t trust myself around a man like him. If I slept with him… feelings could grow. No. Not again. Not a Blake.

His next words knocked the air from my lungs.

“Oh, no, Malishka. You need to understand. There will be no sleeping. Only… fucking.”

My body stiffened.

He leaned closer, smooth, teasing. “I will fuck you. If you can accept that, I’ll make sure Dexter grovels at your feet. I’ll make sure the world’s best surgeon does your mother’s surgery. And you’ll never have to work a part-time job again. You’ll have all the time to study and build your dream.”

My pulse thundered. Everything I needed. Everything I wanted. If my mother recovered, she wouldn’t resent this decision. I could focus on my studies. Graduate without worrying about money.

All I had to do was give myself to a man built like a Greek god. Could I really do this? Could I sell my body to him for a year? I bit my lip, heart hammering under his unwavering stare.

After what felt like forever, I inhaled deeply, forcing my thoughts to clear.

Finally, I met his gaze head-on.

“Fine. I accept your conditions.”

I squared my shoulders. “But if you go back on your word, Helton James—I will ruin you.”

I didn’t know how. But I would find a way. I believed in myself. At least… in my follicular phase.

Helton James chuckled, his smirk widening. “You have my permission to do so.”

Finally, he pulled away, straightening his suit as he glanced at his watch. Then his gaze flickered back to me. “Shall we go then?”

I frowned. “Go where?”

“Well, there’s much to be done if we’re getting married today.”

My eyes widened. “You mean… right now? Today?”

He smirked. “You know what they say, Malishka. The early bird—”

“I need to go to the hospital,” I cut him off, irritation lacing my voice.

His smirk faded. I took a deep breath. “I need to be with my mom. I can’t just leave her like this.”

He studied me, exhaling sharply, rubbing his temple. “Are you going to perform the surgery?”

I blinked. “What?”

“No?” He raised an eyebrow. “Then why do you need to be there?”

I clenched my jaw. “Because she’s my mother. I’m her only immediate family. I need to be there for her.”

Helton James paused, then said, “Fine. We’ll take care of her first. Give me a moment.”

Right in front of me, he pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and put it on speaker.

“Prepare the operating room,” he ordered.

My breath caught.

There was a pause, then a voice answered. “Sir?”

“I’m sending you a patient. Her name is Zia Francia. Make sure you’re prepared to perform a bypass procedure. Only the best will do.”

I stared at him, stunned. The voice hesitated, then cleared its throat. “Understood, sir. May I ask who the patient is to you?”

Helton James’s gaze flickered to me. Then, smoothly, he said, “My mother-in-law.”

My breath hitched.

The doctor on the line hesitated, then let out a soft chuckle. “Congratulations on the marriage, Mr. Blake.”

Helton James smiled. “Thank you.”

I looked at him, completely dumbfounded.