Chapter 3: The Contract

Amelia stared at the document in front of her.

Marriage Agreement.

The words seemed to burn into her eyes.

A few hours ago, she had been preparing to marry Ryan.

Now she was sitting across from Ethan Blackwood, considering a contract marriage with his billionaire uncle.

Life had officially lost its mind.

“There is no way I’m signing this.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair.

“I expected that answer.”

“Then why ask?”

“Because you’re smart enough to think before making decisions.”

Amelia folded her arms.

“And you’re arrogant enough to assume I’ll change my mind.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Perhaps.”

She hated how calm he was.

Nothing seemed to shake him.

Not her anger.

Not her suspicion.

Not even her refusal.

Meanwhile, her emotions were a complete mess.

Humiliation.

Heartbreak.

Rage.

The betrayal still felt fresh.

Like an open wound.

“Let’s say I did agree,” she said carefully. “How long would this marriage last?”

“One year.”

Her eyebrows lifted.

“One year?”

“After that, either of us can walk away.”

Amelia looked down at the contract.

One year.

Three hundred and sixty-five days.

It sounded simple.

Too simple.

“Why me?”

Ethan’s expression became unreadable.

“Because you’re exactly what I need.”

That answer only annoyed her.

“What does that even mean?”

For a moment, he remained silent.

Then he stood and walked toward the window.

The city lights reflected against the glass.

Power.

Wealth.

Control.

Everything seemed to belong to him.

“My grandfather left conditions in his will.”

Amelia blinked.

“What conditions?”

“I must be married before my thirty-fifth birthday.”

Her eyes widened.

“And when is that?”

“Three weeks from now.”

Well.

That explained part of it.

“You can’t find another woman?”

Ethan laughed softly.

“I could find a thousand.”

The confidence in his voice was irritating.

Unfortunately, it was probably true.

“So why me?”

He turned toward her.

“Because I need someone I can trust.”

Trust.

The word felt strange coming from him.

“We barely know each other.”

“I know enough.”

Amelia looked away first.

That intense gaze of his was becoming dangerous.

Dangerous because part of her wanted to believe him.

And she had already learned where blind trust could lead.

“What’s in it for me?”

Ethan returned to the table.

“Protection.”

She rolled her eyes.

“There you go again.”

He ignored her reaction.

“Ryan will come after your shares.”

Her smile disappeared.

“You really think so?”

“I know so.”

The certainty in his voice sent chills through her.

“He won’t stop because the wedding was cancelled.”

Amelia knew he was right.

Ryan hadn’t invested three years of his life just to walk away.

He would try again.

Somehow.

Some way.

And now he had Sophia helping him.

The thought made her stomach twist.

Ethan slid another document toward her.

A financial report.

She recognized the company logo immediately.

Carter Technologies.

Her company.

Her grandfather’s legacy.

As she scanned the page, her face paled.

“No…”

Several investors had already begun pulling out.

Stock prices were falling.

Rumors were spreading.

News of the cancelled wedding had somehow leaked.

Her grandfather used to say one thing.

Reputation is currency.

And hers was being destroyed.

“They’re moving fast,” Ethan said quietly.

Amelia swallowed hard.

This wasn’t just about heartbreak anymore.

This was business.

War.

She looked at him.

“What happens if I say no?”

Ethan’s expression remained calm.

“Then I’ll still help you.”

That surprised her.

“You would?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

A shadow crossed his face.

“For reasons that don’t concern you.”

The answer felt personal.

But before she could ask more, her phone suddenly rang.

Ryan.

The name flashed across the screen.

Immediately, her mood darkened.

Ethan noticed.

“Answer it.”

Amelia hesitated.

Then she pressed accept.

“Amelia.”

Ryan sounded irritated.

Not sorry.

Not guilty.

Irritated.

As though she had inconvenienced him.

“Leave me alone.”

“Stop acting childish.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Childish?

Seriously?

“I don’t have time for this.”

Ryan sighed.

“Look, we need to talk.”

“No.”

“Amelia—”

“No.”

Silence.

Then his voice became colder.

“If you don’t cooperate, things could become difficult.”

A chill ran through her body.

Was that a threat?

Before she could respond, another voice entered the call.

Sophia.

“Honestly, sister, you should just give up.”

Amelia closed her eyes.

The betrayal hurt all over again.

“We’ve already won.”

The call ended.

For several seconds, the room remained silent.

Then Ethan spoke.

“Now do you understand?”

Amelia slowly lowered the phone.

For the first time, fear mixed with her anger.

Ryan wasn’t sorry.

He wasn’t regretful.

He was desperate.

And desperate people were dangerous.

Ethan placed a pen beside the contract.

“I won’t pressure you.”

His voice was calm.

Steady.

Reliable.

“You can leave if you want.”

Amelia looked at the agreement.

Then at the city beyond the glass.

Then at the man sitting across from her.

A stranger.

A billionaire.

A man offering her a way to fight back.

Maybe she was crazy.

Maybe this entire situation was insane.

But one thing was clear.

She refused to be anyone’s victim.

Especially Ryan’s.

Slowly, Amelia reached for the pen.

Ethan’s gaze never left her.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

“So,” she whispered.

“What happens after I sign?”

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on Ethan Blackwood’s face.

And somehow, that smile terrified her more than anything else.