Chapter 4

Damien’s Pov

The lawyer read the will conditions again like I hadn’t heard them a hundred times. Elena sat beside me in the sleek conference room, legs crossed, looking every bit the poised future wife. She played the part well. Too well.

“Thirty days from the reading,” the lawyer said. “Legal marriage, public appearance of unity. Otherwise Cross Technologies transfers to Adrian Cross.”

Elena reached over and laced her fingers through mine. The touch was warm. I squeezed back harder than necessary.

“We understand,” she said sweetly. “We’re ready.”

Later in the car she pulled her hand away like it burned her.

“How long have you known about this marriage clause?” she asked.

“Long enough.” I watched the city blur past. “Adrian can’t get the company. He’d sell our defense contracts to people who shouldn’t have them.”

She was quiet for a moment. “You really care about protecting something.”

I glanced at her. “Surprised?”

“Maybe.” Her voice softened. “I thought you only cared about winning.”

The words hit harder than they should. I remembered late-night messages with S again. She used to say things like that too, challenging me to be more than the ruthless CEO the world saw.

“Why does that surprise you?” I asked, turning to face her fully. “You think I’m some heartless machine who only wants more money and power?”

Elena shrugged, looking out the window. “Most men in your position are. Why should you be any different?”

“Because losing everything once taught me what actually matters,” I replied. “The company isn’t just numbers on a screen. It’s thousands of jobs. It’s technology that keeps this country safe. Adrian would burn it all for a quick payday.”

She turned back to me, eyes searching. “And you expect me to believe you’re doing this purely for noble reasons? Not because you hate losing control?”

I gave a short laugh. “I won’t lie. I hate losing. But this isn’t just about me. If Adrian takes over, a lot of people suffer. Including you, now that you’re tied to me.”

“Great. No pressure,” she muttered. “What exactly do you expect me to do as your fake wife? Smile and wave at parties?”

“More than that,” I said. “You need to convince the board that this is real. They like you already. Use that. Attend meetings with me, give your input, act like we’re a team.”

Elena crossed her arms. “A team? You barely trust me. How are we supposed to sell that?”

“By practicing,” I answered. “Starting the moment we get home. No more slipping up in front of staff or cameras. We eat together, talk together, and make it look natural.”

“Natural,” she repeated with a bitter edge. “Nothing about this feels natural, Damien. One minute you’re accusing me of sabotage, the next you’re asking me to play a loving wife. Which version of you am I supposed to believe?”

“The one that keeps both of us from losing everything,” I said. “You’re smart. You know how this game works. Help me convince the board and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of long after this ends.”

Elena leaned back against the seat. “Taken care of? Like some kept woman? I don’t need your charity, Damien. I need this arrangement to be worth the risk I’m taking.”

“What risk?” I challenged. “You walked into my company ready to tear it apart. Don’t pretend you’re the innocent one here.”

She turned sharply. “And you? Acting like some savior when you’ve destroyed lives without blinking. Tell me, do you even remember the Hart family? Or were they just another line item on your balance sheet?”

The name hit me like cold water. “I remember them. I’ve spent years trying to prove I wasn’t the one who destroyed them. Why does that matter so much to you?”

“Because people like you rewrite history,” she said quietly. “You crush others and call it business. Then you want sympathy when your own empire is threatened.”

I studied her face. “You speak like someone who lost more than just a job. What aren’t you telling me, Elena?”

She looked away. “We all have scars. Mine aren’t your business.”

We got home and the tension followed us inside.

“I need to know you won’t sabotage my company while we’re doing this,” I told her in the living room.

Elena turned, fire in her eyes. “Then stop treating me like an enemy. You proposed, remember?”

“Because I need you. The board likes you. They think you humanize me.”

She laughed bitterly. “Humanize you? That’s funny.”

I stepped closer, backing her against the marble island. “Tell me the truth. Do you hate me, Elena? I see it sometimes. Flashing behind your eyes.”

Her breathing quickened. “You have no idea what I feel.”

“Do you?” I pressed. “One minute you’re challenging me like you want to tear me down, the next you’re holding my hand like we’re actually in this together. Which one is real?”

Elena lifted her chin. “Both can be true. I want to survive this arrangement and still not like you very much.”

“Not like me?” I leaned in. “Or not like what I represent? Tell me, Elena. What did I do to earn this coldness from you?”

“You assume everything is about you,” she shot back. “Maybe I just don’t trust billionaires who throw around marriage proposals like business deals.”

“It is a business deal,” I reminded her. “One that benefits us both. Unless you have another motive you’re not telling me.”

She placed a hand on my chest, not pushing me away but not pulling me closer either. “And what if I do? Would you call it off? Send me back to my tiny apartment and find another fake wife?”

“No,” I said honestly. “Because no one else has the board’s ear like you do. And no one else feels this… familiar.”

“Familiar again,” she whispered. “You keep saying that. What if I’m not who you think I am? What if this all blows up in your face?”

“Then we both lose,” I replied. “But something tells me you won’t let that happen. You’re too calculated.”

Our faces were inches apart. I could smell her perfume, something soft and expensive that made my chest ache with old memories. For one reckless second I wanted to kiss her, to see if she tasted like the woman I’d lost.

My phone rang. Adrian.

I answered the speaker without thinking.

“Well, well,” my cousin’s smug voice came through. “Heard you’re getting married to some nobody consultant. Cute. Won’t save you though.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

“Watch me,” I said coldly and hung up.

She stared at me. “He sounds dangerous.”

“He is.” I brushed a strand of hair from her face before I could stop myself. “Which is why you and I need to be convincing. Starting with a public date tomorrow night.”

She didn’t pull away immediately. “Fine. But remember, Damien, this marriage has an expiration date.”

As she walked away, I muttered under my breath, “We’ll see about that.”