Chapter 5

Olivia 

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Nate and Lisa. Then Damian's face would replace theirs. 

By morning, I still wasn't sure if I'd made the smartest decision of my life…..or the biggest mistake. 

At exactly nine o'clock, Damian’s driver dropped me off outside Kingsley & Associates, the law firm that handled all of the Kingsley family’s legal affairs. 

The receptionist led me into a spacious conference room overlooking the city. 

A few minutes later, a middle-aged man in a navy suit walked in carrying a thick folder. 

He offered me a polite smile before taking the seat across from me. 

“Good morning, Miss Olivia, my name is Hayes, Mr Kingsley’s attorney. 

He placed the folder on the table and slid it towards me. 

“I'd like you to read the marriage agreement carefully before signing anything”. 

I looked down at the document.

It was thicker than I expected. 

“Is all of this….really necessary?”. I asked

Mr Hayes smiled professionally. 

“When the groom is Damian Kingsley, every detail is necessary”.

I swallowed before opening the first page. 

Marriage agreement between Damian Kingsley and Olivia Edward. 

Seeing our names side by side sent a strange feeling through me. 

Three days ago, I'd been planning my future with Nate. 

Now I was reading a marriage contract with his older brother. 

Life really has a twisted sense of humor. 

I took a deep breath and continued reading. 

Clause 1. The marriage shall remain legally valid for a period of one year, unless terminated under the conditions outlined in this agreement. 

One year. 

I nodded to myself. 

That seemed fair. After all neither of us had any intention to make it last forever. 

I flipped to the next page. 

Clause 2. The existence and terms of this marriage agreement shall remain strictly confidential. Neither party shall disclose its contents to any third party without the written consent of the other 

I frowned. 

“So…no one can know this marriage is fake?”. 

Mr Hayes nodded. 

“Correct”

“Not even my best friend?”. I asked 

“I'm afraid not”. He replied 

I leaned back in my chair. 

Damian really taught me everything overnight.

I continued reading. 

Clause 3. Both parties shall attend all public events and public appearances together and conduct themselves as a happily married couple. This includes smiling, interacting naturally, and avoiding any behavior that will cause the public to question the marriage. 

I stared at the page for a moment before looking up

“So we're expected to act like we're actually in love?”. 

Mr Hayes gave a small nod. 

“Mr. Kingsley is a public figure. Every photograph, every interview, every public appearance will be scrutinized”. 

I looked back at the contract, and a smile tugged at my lip. 

“I don't think he smiles very often”.

Mr Hayes chuckled. 

“No, Miss Olivia”. He adjusted his glasses. “He doesn't”. 

“Then this clause might be harder for him than me”. 

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Mr Hayes's lips 

“I assure you, Mr Kingsley is well aware of his obligations”. 

I wasn't so sure

I shook my head and continued reading. 

Clause4. The parties shall reside in the same residence for the duration of the agreement

I looked up so quickly I almost gave myself a whiplash. 

“I have to move into his mansion?”. I asked 

“Today actually”. My Hayes replied. 

“Today?”. 

“Yes, Mr Kingsley has already instructed his staff to prepare the master suite”. 

I blinked. 

“The….master suite?”. 

“Yes”

“You mean we will be sharing a room?”. 

Mr. Hayes cleared his throat. 

“The agreement states that Mr and Mrs Kingsley will occupy the same bedroom”.

I almost dropped the contract. 

“You're kidding”

“I'm afraid I never joke about legal documents”

I leaned back in my chair and let out a slow breath. 

“His so unbelievable”. 

The words had barely left my mouth when the conference room door opened. 

“I've been called worse”. 

The deep voice made me freeze. 

I looked up to find Damian standing in the doorway, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, with one hand resting casually in his pocket. 

“Good morning Olivia”

I swallowed. 

Somehow, he looked even more intimidating in broad daylight.

“I trust Mr Hayes has explained the agreement”. 

“Yes…he has”

“Good”

He sat beside me. 

“I assume he also informed you about tomorrow”. 

I frowned.

“Tomorrow?”. 

Mr Hayes adjusted his glasses. 

“I was just about to explain that Mr Kingsley”. 

I looked between the two men. 

“What happens tomorrow?”

Damian answered without hesitation. 

“My grandfather is hosting our annual charity gala”. 

“And?”. 

“There will be business leaders, politicians, celebrities…..”. He paused to look at me. “And the press”. 

A knot formed in my stomach. 

“I'll be introducing you as my wife”

For a second, I forgot how to breathe. 

“So… tomorrow”

“Tomorrow”

“But we won't even be married yet”. I said

“We will”. Damian replied 

I blinked.

“When”

“This afternoon”

I stared at him. 

“This afternoon?”. 

“Yes”

“As in…”. I glanced at the wall clock on the wall. “…Today?”

Damian checked his watch as though we were discussing a business meeting instead of a marriage. 

“The ceremony is in three hours”

My heart skipped a beat.

I searched his face hoping to find the slightest hint that he was joking, but there wasn't one. 

Yes, I'd ask him to marry me, but I hadn't expected everything to move this fast. 

“The marriage license has already been prepared”. He said calmly. 

He glanced at his watch again before continuing. 

“The judge is in the conference room next door”.

My eyes widened. 

“There are also designers waiting at the end of the corridor to help you choose a dress”

For a moment I simply stared at him. 

“Wait….what”. My voice came out barely above a whisper. 

“But”. I looked down at the contract in front of me. “I haven't even signed the contract yet”. 

“You will”. Damian said 

His confidence caught me off guard. 

“What if I change my mind?”. I asked 

The corner of Damian's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. 

“Then my lawyer will shred the contract”. He paused. “The judge will leave, the designers will go home, and I'll return to work”. 

The room fell silent. 

“The decision is completely yours Olivia, I won't force you to do anything”. 

I looked down at the contract, then at the pen lying beside it. 

Just less than a week ago, I was planning my future with Nate, and now, I was about to become Damian Kingsley's wife. 

I took a slow breath and reached for the pen. 

Damian watched me in complete silence. 

With one final breath, I signed my name at the bottom of the contract. 

Mr Hayes picked up the folder and closed it with a quiet snap. 

“Congratulations, Mrs Damian Kingsley”. Mr Hayes said. 

Mrs Kingsley. 

The word echoed in my head.

Just yesterday I was Olivia Edward, a fashion designer planning a future with the man I loved.

Now, in less than three hours, I would become Mrs Damian Kingsley. 

The wife of the one man my ex hated more than anyone else. 

There was no turning back now.