Chapter 3 - The Contract Terms

Author's pov

Ivy showed up to the second meeting in head-to-toe black.

Funeral Black like she was mourning the one year of her life she was about to lose.

She was dressed in a silk blouse, tailored pencil skirt. Her heels seemed tall enough to stomp on egos, and her sunglasses alone seemed to cost more than Liam Calloway’s entire personality.

She walked into the boardroom like she owned it.

Because technically… she did.

Her father looked up from his seat, immediately tense. The Calloways were already there......Liam, his father, and their snake of a lawyer. They all turned as she entered.

“Miss Monroe,” the lawyer said, trying to sound calm. “Glad you could join us.”

She slid her sunglasses off with a single finger. “Let’s make it quick. I have a Vogue interview at noon.”

The man blinked. “Yes, of course.”

He pushed the contract across the table. “Standard agreement. Twelve-month marital union. Joint appearances. Shared residence, shared press—”

Ivy raised a hand. “We’re not doing that.”

Everyone stilled.

Her father blinked. “What?”

Ivy pulled a folded paper from her handbag and placed it right on top of the contract. “These are my terms.”

Liam leaned back in his chair, that same smug expression plastered across his face like he already knew how this would go. “Wow. She even came with homework.”

She ignored him completely. “If I’m going to pretend to be this man’s wife, we’re setting boundaries.”

The lawyer cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. “Miss Monroe, may I?”

She gestured at the paper like it was nothing. “Be my guest.”

He scanned the document. “Separate bedrooms. No physical intimacy. No romantic obligations. No actual… relationship.”

“Correct,” Ivy said simply.

Then Liam let out a soft laugh.

“I didn’t know I was marrying a robot,” he said.

Ivy looked at him, expression blank. “Good. Then don’t expect a heart.”

“Not even a kiss for the cameras?” Liam asked, mock disappointment in his voice.

She turned to him with a slow smile. “If the board wants PDA, they can hire an actress.”

Liam still hadn’t stopped smiling. “Same old Ivy. Always so dramatic.”

She stared him down like she was mentally setting him on fire. “And you’re still the same arrogant boy who peaked in high school.”

His smirk twitched.

The room was quiet again.

Her father looked between them, clearly uncomfortable. “Ivy, sweetheart, maybe we don’t need to be so—”

She shut that down immediately. “You want me to marry him? Fine. But it’ll be on my terms. I’m not sacrificing my sanity for a merger.”

Liam tilted his head. “You’re acting like I begged for this marriage.”

She gave him a cold glance. “Trust me, I know you didn’t. I’m just making sure you never get confused.”

The room went quiet.

Mr. Calloway tried to ease the tension and said to her father. “She’s got spirit.”

“She’s got rules,” Ivy corrected.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “Very well. I’ll include your additions and send an updated draft for final signature.”

“Good,” Ivy said, already rising from her seat. “Send it to my assistant. I’ll sign it when I have time.”

Her father scrambled to his feet, following her out of the room.

“Ivy—”

She turned in the hallway, her voice lower now. “Dad. I said I’d do it. Don’t push me.”

He nodded, guilt flickering across his face. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“I’m doing the necessary thing,” she replied. “There’s a difference.”

“I know this isn’t easy,” he said. “But I’m proud of you.”

She gave him a polite nod. “I’m not doing this for you, Dad. I’m doing it for the brand.”

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and she stepped inside.

The doors slid shut before he could say anything else.

Inside the elevator, Ivy exhaled slowly.

One year.

Twelve months.

Then she’d be free.

She just had to survive Liam Calloway and the circus that came with him.

But deep down, she already knew, she wasn’t just surviving.

She was planning her payback.

And this time, Plain Ivy wouldn’t be the punchline.