Chapter 3

Valda's POV

When Alexander made the offer, I felt my entire world turn. He was offering me Twenty million dollars. The number rang in my head like church bells, drowning out everything else.

That kind of money could change everything. It could relaunch my fashion line, give me credibility again, pay for years of work, and most importantly… secure a future for my daughter.

But the man that was offering it was Alexander MaCarro. My worst mistake. My greatest regret. The man who had destroyed my life once before. There was no way i was going to accept it.

I stared at him, my throat tight. His eyes glittered with amusement, as if he already knew I would say yes. And that was what made my blood boil the most—he was right.

I hated him for it.

“I’ll do it,” I finally said, my voice steady even though my insides were still shaking. “But this is just business. Nothing more.” I made it clear.

His smirk widened. “I've always known you were smart. You've made a good choice.”

Within the hour, Charles and Mia brought in the paperwork. Page after page of legal terms that covered his rules and mine. I forced my hand to sign each line, even though it felt like I was signing away pieces of my soul to the devil himself.

When it was done, Alexander leaned back in his chair, completely satisfied. “Excellent. Now, pack your things. You’ll be moving into my penthouse tonight.”

My head snapped up. “Tonight?” I asked. "You want me to come tonight?"

“Immediately,” he corrected. “The media must believe this marriage is real. That means appearances. That means you at my side. Starting now.” 

I wanted to scream at him, but I bit my tongue. I needed this deal. I needed the money. For my daughter’s sake, and for my business.

When I reached home, Vanessa was waiting for me in the living room. My twin could always read me, and the second she saw my face, her smile faded. She knew that something bad had happened.

“What happened?” she asked cautiously.

I dropped my bag onto the couch. “I found a job. A way to get us out of this mess.” I managed to smile, just to lighten the mood. "I don't think you'll like it."

She frowned. “Valda… what kind of job?”

I hesitated, avoiding her eyes. “I can’t explain everything, but it will give us enough money to restart my fashion line. And it’ll take care of my daughter’s needs too.”

Her face turned red with anger. "This has something to do with that bastard called Alexander, right?" She asked.

I froze. She knew. She always knew. I still wondered how? Maybe she could read minds and she wasn't telling me.

“Valda, no,” she said, holding onto me. "Have you forgotten what happened before? You were his lastest achievement, added to the list of his escapades."

I shook my head, trying to stop her words from lingering too long. I couldn't change my mind now.

Tears gathered in the corner of my eyes, but I pulled away. “I don’t have a choice, Vanessa. This is the only way. Do you think I like this? Do you think I want to stand beside him again? I’m doing this for my daughter. For us.”

Her lips were shaking, but she shook her head. “You’re walking into a trap. Just like before, he'll take you in and throw you out. Please, Valda. Don’t do this.”

Her words made me want to cry, but I couldn’t let them sway me. The money was too much. The opportunity too big. I forced myself to pack my bags, ignoring Vanessa’s tearful pleas.

When I zipped the final suitcase, I whispered to myself, “This isn’t forever. It's just a contract. Just business.”

But deep down, I knew it was more complicated than that.

By the time I returned to Alexander’s penthouse, it was already night. Just little had changed about the penthouse from five years ago. I still remembered that this was the place where my suffering started.

I dragged my suitcase inside, trying not to feel small in the face of such wealth.

When I entered, he wasn’t in the living room so a  maid directed me upstairs, and I found him in the master bedroom, lying down like he owned the entire world.

He looked up when I entered, his eyes traveling lazily over me, and that damn smirk tugged at his lips again. “So, you actually came.”

I set my suitcase down. “Don’t flatter yourself. I came for the contract. For the money.”

He chuckled, his voice low and mocking. “Yet the way you’re looking at me tells me something else. Admit it, Valda. You still want me.”

Even if he was the last man on earth, I'd rather remain single than fall in love not to talk of like him. I stepped closer, glaring into his eyes.

“Don’t fool yourself, Alexander,” I hissed. “This is a contract. Nothing more. Don’t forget that.”

His smile widened, as if my anger amused him even more. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You can say whatever you like, but I can see it in your eyes. That fire hasn’t gone out.”

I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to slap him again. Not this time. I needed to be smart. I needed to play the long game enough to ruin him.

In that moment, I made a silent promise to myself.

I would take his money. I would play his perfect wife. I would smile for the cameras and give the world the illusion it wanted.

But deep inside, I swore I would never forgive him. I would make him pay for what he did to me five years ago. For every tear I shed, for every opportunity I lost, for every scar he left on my life—he would pay.

And one day, when he least expected it, I would be the one wearing the smirk while he begged for mercy.

For now, I gave him a fake smile. "Good night my husband." I rolled my eyes, and walked out of the room to get the rest of my stuffs.