MARRIED TO THE CEO BY CONTRACT

Elara Hayes had always held the belief that if she put in enough effort, showed genuine love, and persevered quietly enough, life would eventually bestow stability upon her. On a Thursday night, under the warm restaurant lights and the soft clink of crystal glasses, that belief was shattered. Although Marcus had insisted, the location was pricey—too expensive for a straightforward engagement dinner. Recently, he has always insisted. She had new tastes, new habits, and new friends with whom she didn't quite fit in. Elara lied to herself that it was her ambition and that people changed when their careers got big. She wanted to help others. She wanted to have faith in their future together. A future that appeared unchangeable prior to that night. With a charming smile that once made her heart flutter, Marcus said, "To us, Elara. Getting everything we deserve in the end." Despite the fact that the words made her feel uneasy, she smiled back. Everything we ought to have. He said it like he had already arrived at his destination. She softly echoed, "To us." As it was poured down her throat, the wine slightly burnt. Or perhaps that was just her agitation. Her shoulders were still tight from spending so many hours by her mother's bed when she got out of the hospital. The beeping machines, the antiseptic smell, the quiet way the doctor had explained the latest test results—it all still clung to her skin.

Patiently endured chronic illness. Relentless. Expensive.

Marcus knew that. He had promised that they would work together on it. While cutting into his steak, he observed, "You’re quiet tonight." "Is everything fine?" Elara gave an automatic nod. "Just worn out." He said lightly, "You worry too much." Things will be easier once everything is finalized. Trust me. Finalised.

She could feel the word in her chest. "Exactly what is being finalized?" She asked in an effort to appear casual. Marcus paused for just a split second. The majority of people wouldn't have noticed. Elara did so. She had studied his pauses, tells, and subtle ways he avoided certain truths for three years. He replied, "Stuff for business." "There's nothing to worry about." She smiled. We're getting married, Marcus. I ought to be aware if something is—" He interjected, still polite but with a hint of caution, "Don't start." "It's supposed to be nice tonight." Tension began to build up between them like an unwelcome guest as the conversation stalled. Elara made an effort to unwind. She might have been projecting her fears. It was a lot for anyone to bear—the hospital bills, the looming wedding costs, the sense that she was always one bad decision away from collapse. The waiter interrupted the moment by bringing dessert menus to the table. Marcus said, "I'll have the chocolate soufflé," without looking at her. Elara gave a head shake. "Simply tea, please." Marcus's phone buzzed on the table as the waiter left. The display turned on. It flashed a name across it. Sophie.

Elara looked up. Once.

Sophie worked with Marcus. Certainly, he had introduced her in that manner. Confidence. Stylish. During gatherings for the company, I would always smile too brightly at him. Marcus flipped the phone too quickly face down. Elara felt sick to her stomach. What is Sophie? She merely enquired. As though she were the problem, he sighed. "A colleague. I informed you. "Why is she texting you at our engagement dinner? " you might ask. His jaw clenched. "You're acting suspiciously. "The phrase hurt. "I've got a question." "And I responded to it." The silence that followed was longer and more prolonged than before. Elara fixed her gaze on the phone. Her instincts cried out. They had been yelling for a few weeks, if not months, but she had kept them quiet out of love and out of fear that she would be wrong. She said suddenly, "I need to see it." Marcus laughed sharply and without humour. "You are joking." “I’m not.”

"Set it down, Elara." While her voice remained steady, her hands began to shake. "Show me if it's nothing, then." His eyes changed in some way. Irritation. Calculation.

“No.”

Everything was changed by that one word. Her chair was scraping against the floor as she abruptly stood. Heads were turned. The conversation slowed down. She said it again, now more clearly, "Show me your phone." Under his breath, Marcus swore. "You're making me feel bad." "Show me!" He considered his options while staring at her. He then picked up the phone and unlocked it with an exaggerated amount of patience. “Fine. Look. After that, we are finished with this. It was slid across the table by him. As she picked it up, Elara noticed that her fingers were numb. Her lungs stopped breathing after the first message. Have you already told her? because I have had enough of hiding. Her vision became hazy. She browsed. You said you would fix this. I can't continue to lie. The funds have already been moved. Transferred?

Her ribs were crushed by her beating heart. "How much money?" She spoke softly. She retracted the phone when Marcus reached for it. "Respond to me." As if preparing for a long-awaited argument, he exhaled slowly. "Slow down your voice." She said, putting it all together with horrifying clarity, "You took money." "You used my name to steal money." It was confirmed by his silence. She stated, "You used me." "You took my money. My endorsement. He yelled, "I did what I had to do." "You wouldn't comprehend." Her chest tightened. "Understand exactly?" He said sternly, "That your family is a liability." The condition of your mother. The costs. the ever-present need. Investors don't like baggage of that kind. Elara stumbled back as though he had hit her. She said slowly, "You used my personal information to impress investors." He stated, "It worked." "That is what is important." The restaurant appeared to be too small. Too brilliant. Too visible. She whispered, "You did something wrong." Don't be dramatic, please. She said in a broken voice, "Marcus, they'll come after me." He replied dismissively, "They won't." "I'll deal with it." She stated, "You already handled it." "Above my back." His eyes became hard. "You ought to be thankful. All of this will vanish once the merger is completed. "So, Sophie?" Elara enquired with dread in her stomach. He did not respond. That was enough of an answer. A soft, broken laugh that didn't sound like hers came from Elara. "You never intended to marry me." Marcus's expression was almost relieved as he sank back into his chair. "Let's not make this more difficult than it has to be." She lost any semblance of hope when his tone was stern. With shaking hands, she put the phone back on the table. She declared, "It's over." He grumbled. "You don't have a clear head." She responded, "I'm thinking for the first time." Before he could stop her, she turned and left. She was slapped by the cool night air. She could barely make out the sounds of traffic, bars' distant laughter, and the city going on as if nothing had happened. She got a call. Once.

Twice.

She disregarded it. three times. This time, Marcus was not to blame. It was a medical facility. Her stomach sank. “Yes?” She responded in a barely audible voice. The nurse gently stated, "Ms Hayes, we need to talk about your mother's treatment plan." Elara pressed her chest with one hand. "Is she alright?" She was reassured by the nurse that she was stable. However, insurance does not cover the new medication. The doctor says we should start right away. How much is it? Elara asked because she knew the response would hurt. Her knees gave way due to the figure. She slid down and leaned against the wall before landing on the icy pavement. She stated, "I'll... I'll figure something out." She silently shed tears as the call ended as she stared at the night sky. Her credit had been destroyed by Marcus. She did not have enough money for the hospital. She was a necessity for her family. She was stuck. Her phone buzzed once more. This time, the number was unfamiliar. She was close to ignoring it. Almost.

Ms Hayes is unknown. I believe that you require assistance. Her breath was laboured. Elara asks, "Who is this?" The response arrived right away. Unknown: A man who is capable of resolving your issues. if you are prepared to listen. Her heart raced. Elara: How did you acquire this phone number? There were three dots. Disappeared. Then:

Meet me tomorrow at 10 a.m., Unknown, The De Luca Tower Be on your own. Luca de She felt uneasy when she heard the name. It was known by all. Power. Money. Influence that reached areas about which no one spoke openly. Why me, Elara? This time, the response took longer. Her blood became icy when it arrived. Unknown: I'm offering you a way to put your life back together because it's already falling apart. Her heart raced as she stared at the screen. a path out. or a more severe trap. In any case, she was absolutely certain of one thing: Nothing in her life would ever be the same again by morning.