MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

The Texas sky looked gray as Bella stared at the skyscrapers towering in front of her. Thihs is Lockwood Corporation—the company owned by the man rumored to be able to take down anyone with a single phone call.

She took a deep breath. Her chest felt tight, her breathing heavy. "Oh my God ...!"

Her palms were sweaty as she handed her ID to the receptionist. The young woman in uniform looked her up and down before giving a thin, almost mechanical smile.

“Please go up. Mr. Aaron is waiting for you on the twenty-seventh floor.”

Bella nodded. She walked toward the elevator, her steps hesitant. Every second felt like a hammer striking her chest. She didn’t even know why a CEO of Aaron Lockwood’s caliber had called her.

After all, she was just an ordinary girl from the outskirts of Dallas, not yet graduated from college, now working odd jobs to pay for her critically ill mother’s treatment.

The elevator chimed softly. The 27th floor was quiet. In the hallway, there was only one large black matte door with metal-plated lettering:

AARON LOCKWOOD – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Bella knocked gently.

“Come in.”

His voice was deep, cold, and echoed, piercing her spine.

Bella entered.

The room was spacious and luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the misty skyline of Austin.

Behind a large dark wood desk stood a man in a dark gray suit, with sharp features and eyes as black as night.

“Isabella Moore?” he asked without preamble.

“Yes, sir.”

Aaron nodded. He sat down slowly, then gestured to the leather sofa in front of him. “Have a seat.”

Bella complied.

A minute of silence.

Aaron stared at her for a long time, as if appraising the value of a property. Then his voice sounded again. It' was flat, and to the point.

“Your father worked in the procurement department in 2013. Correct?”

Bella nodded slowly. “Yes. But... he passed away five years ago.”

“Before he passed away, he left a large debt to this company. We’ve verified it. The total amount is around... eight million dollars.”

Bella’s blood seemed to drain to her feet. “W-what…?”

“I’ve prepared the complete documents. You’ll see the numbers. But no, I didn’t bring you here to collect debt. I’m offering you… a solution.”

Aaron opened his desk drawer and took out a file. He placed it gently on the small table between them.

“Contract marriage. One year.  You must pregnant. After that, we divorce. No inheritance rights, no obligations. And in return, your father’s debt is written off.”

Bella froze. Unbelieving. Her eyes fixed on the file on the table.

“Why me, Sir? I’m ... i'm a nobody…”

“Exactly because of it's reason,” Aaron replied without hesitation. “And I need a wife. Just for a year. It’s a family requirement. Don’t worry, it’s all legal. You won’t be harmed. You’ll live in my house. You’ll be protected. And you’ll get the basic perks of being a CEO’s wife.”

“Like... a doll?” Bella whispered, barely audible.

Aaron stared at her sharply. “No. Dolls  can not say no. And you do.”

Bella lowered her head. In her mind, the image of her mother’s face in the hospital flashed vividly. Her breath caught as she recalled the unpaid hospital bills, her younger sister’s overdue school fees, and the rental house that had been unpaid for two months.

“Can I… think about it?” she whispered.

“You have two days. After that, I’ll withdraw the offer.”

Aaron stood up. He turned toward the large window, and looked out at the city shrouded in a thin mist.

“This isn’t love, Bella. This is business. I don’t need your heart. And you don’t need mine. I need your body to conceive.”

Bella stood up slowly. Her body was stiff. She bowed her head and spoke softly, “Thank you for the offer, sir.”

As she was about to touch the doorknob, Aaron spoke again. His voice was soft but trembling.

“You don’t know who your real father is, Bella. If you did… you might spit on his name.”This is a great offer. You get to have a child with a CEO. Don't waste this opportunity."

Bella fell silent. She didn’t respond. She didn’t turn around.

She only bowed her head deeper. There was too much she didn’t understand.

“Give me the time, Mr. Lockwood,” she finally said.

And then, she left.

******

The next day.

Bella stood in front of a small mirror in her motel room. She wore a simple light beige dress, without excessive makeup. Her eyes were puffy, but dry. Last night, she cried until her body shook. But this morning, everything felt quiet inside her, as if all her emotions had been drained.

This morning, Bella sent a short message to Aaron. She agreed to the deal he offered.

Today, the contract marriage would take place—this afternoon, at the County Clerk’s office in Texas. No party. No music. No flowers. Just the quiet government office, with two witnesses she didn’t even know.

Her mother didn’t know anything yet.

All Bella had said was, “I got a job in Dallas, Mom. All the bills will be paid this week.” She had said that during a video call at dawn.

Her mother nodded slowly, her face pale but trying to smile. “Don’t push yourself too hard, dear…”

“Okay, Mom…” Bella replied before ending the call.

Now, Bella stared at her reflection. The face looked foreign—as if it wasn’t hers anymore.

“From today onward, you’re not the Bella you used to be,” she whispered softly.

Soon, she and Aaron sat side by side in the Travis County civil registry office. The room was air-conditioned, gray, with the scent of paper and fresh ink.

A middle-aged female clerk handed over the documents without much conversation, accompanied by two officially paid civilian witnesses. They all looked ordinary—professional, with no emotional involvement whatsoever.

Aaron sat beside Bella, wearing a black suit and gray tie. His watch stood out on his wrist. Since Bella had entered, the man hadn’t uttered a single word. His face was expressionless. Perhaps because this was just a contract, not love.

“Please sign where indicated,” the clerk said without emotion.

Bella reached for the pen. Her hand trembled slightly as she looked at the neatly printed names: Isabella Moore and Aaron Lockwood.  

With a deep breath, she wrote her signature. Slowly. Hesitantly. But firmly.  

Aaron took the pen from her hand and signed his name quickly and confidently. As if this were just one of many business deals in his life.

“Your marriage is now legally recognized under Texas state law,” the official said.  

Done.  

That’s it.  

Aaron turned to her, his voice low and calm. “Tomorrow, we’ll take photos for documentation. I won’t demand anything from you, Bella. This is just a contract.”  

Bella nodded. There was nothing more to say. The contract was in effect. And she was now the lawful wife of a man she barely knew.

"After returning from here, you must prepare yourself to carry out your main task. Get pregnant with my child!" Aaron said firmly.

"What?" Bella looked nervous.

"Don't be nervous. Everything isn't as bad as you imagined." Aaron smiled crookedly.

Suddenly, at the same time, an elegant woman with an old money aura appeared.

"Have you two taken care of the paperwork?" The woman approached Aaron.

"Yes, dear." Aaron held the woman's waist.

She was Lucie. Aaron's wife. The woman looked at Bella with a cynical gaze. 

"You're fertile, right?" She asked in a dismissive tone.  "Don't make me disappointed!"