The contract

MICHELLE’S POV.

I screamed as I fell off the building. I saw my life flashing before me…and it was not good in any way. Just when I was about to kiss the ground, I woke up. I was still at the hospital.

“Are you okay?” The doctor asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I swallowed hard. “My mother… please, my mother. Is she okay? Did the surgery—”

He gave me a small smile. “The surgery went well. Very well, actually. Your mother is out of danger.”

My breath left my body in a rush. I covered my face with my hands. “Thank God… thank God…”

“She is still weak,” he continued. “But she will recover. You can see her soon, but not for long. She needs rest.”

I nodded quickly, tears forming again. My brows furrowed in curiosity, seeing the hesitation on his face.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, slowly getting up from my seat.

“Miss Michelle,” he said carefully, “I need to ask… where did you get the money for this surgery? It was a very large amount, and it was paid instantly.”

“That is not important, doctor,” I frowned.

He frowned. “But for record purposes—”

“Please,” I cut him off gently. “Just focus on taking care of my mother. That’s all I want.”

He studied my face for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. See you around, Michelle,” he said and walked away.

As soon as he was out of sight, my phone beeped. I slowly picked it up, my face changing instantly.

It was Kieran. Or should I say… the one who bought my soul.

He was the reason I was still alive. If he hadn't caught me before my hand slipped off the edge, I wouldn't have seen this moment. But as expected, everything about the Devereaux means you have to give something in return. They won't help you until they need it. I have learnt that the hard way.

I wasn’t sure what he wanted, all I know is that paying my mother bills meant something… something I knew I wouldn't like. But who was I to choose, when my mother's life was on the line.

My heart skipped a beat as I read the messages. My presence was needed immediately. I looked back at my mother's room and sighed.

I don't really know much about Kieran. Except that he is Damien's stepbrother and he never really got along with everyone in the house. And he wasn't a very patient man.

My lips pressed into a thin line as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. Without a second thought, I walked out of the room and waved down a taxi.

“Where to, madam?” the taxi driver asked.

“Castellan’s Hotel,” I whispered.

By the time I reached the hotel, the sun was already beginning to set. The tall glass doors opened automatically, and warm air brushed against my skin.

Kieran was waiting in the lobby.

He stood near the elevator, his hands in his pockets, his expression sharp but strangely gentle when he saw me. His dark suit fit him perfectly, and the lights reflected softly on his hair.

“You’re back,” he said, stepping closer. “How is your mother?”

I took a deep breath. “She’s… she’s safe now. The surgery was a success.”

His shoulders eased, as if he had been holding his breath. “Good. I’m glad.”

I stared at him for a moment. “What exactly do you want?”

He raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” I growled. “The Devereaux should never be trusted. They only know how to use people.”

“First of all,” he started, his brows knitted. “I'm not them. I'm a Castellan. They are Devereaux.”

I rolled my eyes, biting back a response. For all I know, the only thing separating them is that fancy name.

“We shouldn't be talking here,” he said “Come upstairs. It's more private.”

I swallowed hard and followed him. We entered the elevator, and as the doors closed, silence filled the space. His presence felt heavy, but not in a bad way—more like he carried too much weight alone.

When we reached his suite, he opened the door and stepped aside.

“Come in.”

I walked inside and froze when I saw another man sitting on the couch—older, dressed in a grey suit, holding a briefcase.

A lawyer.

Kieran motioned to the sofa. “Sit.”

My hands trembled slightly as I sat down. The lawyer opened his briefcase and brought out a stack of documents.

“Miss Michelle,” he said politely, “I’m here to go over a contract with you.”

I looked at Kieran quickly. “A… contract?”

I was right. He wanted to buy my soul for some chicken change.

He sat across from me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “C'mon, i told you that i will pay for your mother’s bill, if you help me which you agreed without a second thought.”

I don't think the Devereaux or “Castellan” know the meaning of the phrase, “give to the poor and the heavens will reward you.”

The lawyer placed the papers on the table and slid them toward me.

Kieran spoke gently but firmly. “Read them. Think about it. Don’t rush.”

I nodded and lifted the papers with shaky fingers.

The first page alone made my breath catch.

Marriage Contract.

My eyes widened. “Kieran… what is this?”

He didn’t look away from me. “It’s simple. I saved you, and I paid for your mother’s treatment. You should do something in return.”

I would have preferred a one night stuff to this.

I swallowed. “I don’t agree with this.”

“Michelle,” he called with a smile. “You should have read the contract before signing it. The contract said you will do anything I want. And this is what I want.”

“You and your brother are the same,” I frowned.

He shook his head. “I'm not using you, Michelle. In fact, you can decide to walk away but you will have a debt of over three million dollars and no house for you and your mother to sleep in.”

Damnit. He was right.

The lawyer cleared his throat politely. “Mr. Castellan requires a temporary marriage—strictly formal, strictly public. To maintain his position in the Castellan family.”

Kieran continued, “You won’t be my real wife. No pressure. No expectations. You’ll just stand beside me at events, in the media, and in public. That’s all.”

My chest tightened. “You expect me to believe this?”

Kieran looked me straight in the eye. “It's your choice. But ask yourself, is walking away from my offer really worth it?”

“And perhaps she doesn't know that this is a chance to ruin Damien,” the lawyer added.

“What do you mean?”

His eyes darkened just slightly. “Revenge.”

My heartbeat stumbled.

He leaned back, his voice calm but cold. “Damien wants my position as the CEO of Castellan's group. Your presence can stop it.”

My fingers tightened around the papers. “So my marriage…”

“Will stop Damien from climbing the ladder any further. You have already given him fame in the acting industry. I think you will be the right person to teach him his place,” he leaned closer. “So tell me, Michelle. Don't you want to make him pay?”

I stared at the contract again.

He was right again. Walking away will mean I have a three million debt to pay aside from the debt I already have, thanks to Damien. But accepting this deal will clear all my debt and a promise of a good life for both my mother and I. And above all… revenge.

“I want this,” I whispered. “I want revenge more than anything.”

He nodded slowly.

I signed my name.

My hand shook, but my heart felt strangely calm.

When I put down the pen, Kieran extended his hand. “From today, we work together.”

I took his hand firmly. “We have only one year. After that, I’m no longer indebted to you.”

He smirked slightly. “Plus a billion dollars.”

I blinked. “Wait—what?”

“It’s part of the agreement,” he said simply. “After our year ends, I give you one billion dollars for your troubles, and we both go our separate ways.”

I nodded in agreement. This is all I want. I just have one year, then I'm free. But I wasn't going to make this chance slip away.

At all cost… Damien will suffer.