The contract

Aria's POV

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"Don't you think you're too close?" I leaned back, trying to create some space between us as I cleared my throat. Julian's proximity was unnerving, his magnetic presence both alluring and suffocating.

"We're going to be even closer." A smirk formed on his lips as he leaned in, closing the space I had worked hard to create. His lips were just inches from mine, and for a wild moment, I thought he might kiss me.

My heart thrummed erratically, and I jerked back, overbalancing in my haste. The legs of the chair lifted off the floor, and I grasped at the air in a futile attempt to stop myself from falling.

Just in time, Julian wrapped his arms around my waist and, with surprising strength, pulled me upright, anchoring me as the chair hit the ground with a sharp thud. My body pressed hard against his stone-like physique, his warmth seeping into me, melding with mine. My hands rested on his chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shirt.

As soon as I registered how close we were, I jolted out of his hold. "Thank you," I mumbled, raising the seat and sitting back down, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment and something else I didn't want to name.

Julian smiled and returned to his seat, thankfully far away from me. Folding his arms, he leaned back, studying me with an inscrutable gaze. "I'm proposing a deal, a contract marriage. We act like lovers. I get your husband jealous, and you...name anything you want, and I'll see you have it."

Another contract marriage. My chest tightened briefly as I remembered how my last one ended—in shame and disgrace. I folded my arms, mirroring his posture. "I don't know what went on between you and Ethan, but I'm not going to be a pawn in your game of revenge."

He cocked his brow. "Your mother is in the hospital, and she needs $500,000 for her surgery. You also have a sister in college, and college fees are no joke."

My breath shuddered, and I clenched my fists. "You did a background check on me?"

Ignoring my question, he continued. "You have no money or work to provide money. Don't you think it's stupid to turn down the offer?"

Once again, another man wanted to trap me, to use me for his own ends and then toss me aside like dirt when he was done. A bitter chuckle escaped, and I rolled my eyes. "Don't you think it's stupid to go after your rival's ex-wife over something so petty as a crush? Besides, if Ethan stole your crush, it just means she didn't like you back."

Oh, he wasn't pleased with the words that left my lips. Julian narrowed his brows, shooting me a glare. "Petty as a crush? No wonder you had many failed relationships; you don't know what love is."

I glared back at him, a bitter heat snatching at my chest as I remembered all the stupid men who had come into my life to use me, and they were always successful. Guess I was the stupid one.

His jaw tightened before a smug smile descended on him. "Your marriage just failed; we are on the same boat here."

I snorted. "Boat? With your four failed marriages, please, mine is a dinghy, and yours is a luxury cruise ship—a fucking titanic."

"So, you also did a background check on me too?" Another smile snuck onto his lips.

I averted my gaze and scoffed. "Just an internet search."

Julian inhaled before exhaling. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but your mother needs the money. It's not like you are going to see $500,000 hanging on a tree." He rose to his feet. "Think about my proposal. I expect your reply tomorrow morning." He dipped his hand in his pocket and strutted out of the dining room.

I eased up from the seat and trudged to my room. After shutting the door, I sprawled on the large bed, its softness welcoming me in ways life didn't.

I turned on the bed, Julian's words weighing on my mind. He was right. There was my mother's health, my sister's school fees, our house rent—I did need that money.

But another thought broke in, one that tightened my throat. What if this ended just like it did with Ethan, in pain and tears? And then I am kicked out again with nothing?

The questions came in circles, never-ending, until sleep, like a savior, snatched me into her calm embrace.

---

The next morning, I descended the stairs dressed in the gown the maid had dropped off for me. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lured me into the dining area.

My eyes fell on Julian's daughter, Gabriella, sitting at the table in her school uniform. When her eyes locked with mine, a smile—one that reminded me of her father—carved on her lips. "Good morning, hope you slept well." She jumped down from her seat, curling her fingers around mine and dragging me to the dining table.

"Good morning," the maid greeted me. "Coffee or juice?"

"Coffee."

"French toast or pancakes?" the maid asked.

"Whichever is ready."

The maid placed a plate of French toast and a cup of coffee before me. I dug into the meal while Julian's daughter's eyes remained glued on me.

"What's your name?" I questioned with a mouthful.

"Gabriella," she said with a wide grin. She seemed excited—too excited.

"Nice name." I returned my attention to the food begging to be eaten.

Gabriella's gaze was still fixed on me, her smile not faltering. She just had breakfast, so she wasn't hungry. With the little experience I had gotten when I worked as a nanny, I knew she had something to say.

"Do you have something to tell me?" I smiled.

"Yes."

"And that is?"

"Daddy said he's going to marry you."

My eyes widened. I hadn't even accepted the proposal; why would he tell his daughter that? Or maybe he didn't. Did she overhear us? I turned to her. "And who told you that?"

"Cause I told him to marry you, and Daddy always gives me what I want." She cupped her face and shot me a cute smile.

My eyes bulged out, and my mind raced to find out why she would want me to be her mother. She barely knew me.

My lips parted to ask when Julian entered. Unlike last night, his hair was perfectly styled back, leaving no strands to compete with his hunter eyes. His waistcoat accentuated his V-frame. "Gabrielle, the driver is out." His eyes sliced to mine, and in his hand was a brown envelope. "Good morning."

Remembering our conversation last night, I ignored his greetings and threw my gaze away.

Gabrielle jumped down and hugged her father. "Bye, Daddy."

Julian planted a kiss on her forehead. "Bye, my love. Be a good girl."

Gabrielle waved before leaving the dining room, leaving me and Julian alone.

As Julian took the cup of coffee from the maid, the steam curled upwards. "Have you thought about my proposal?" He tossed the brown envelope on the table.

I remembered his daughter's words, and my gut told me there was more to this than his petty revenge game. "Are you doing this because of your daughter?"

Julian's face tightened, but quickly, he schooled his expression. "Why does it matter?"

A soft warmth lingered in my veins—maybe he wanted to give his daughter a mother. After all, it's hard for a child to grow up without one.

"I accept the proposal."

Julian nudged his head at the envelope on the table. "Read through it."

Picking it up, I opened it and ran my eyes across it.

"The rules here are simple," he began, despite seeing me read it. "The marriage is for show, obviously." Another wry smile flashed across his lips. "So, you won't be performing any 'wifely duties,' meaning we're not having sex. You'll act as my wife outside and as a mother to Gabriella. I'll pay you every month. You and my accountant would discuss something reasonable. If you try to seduce me, you'll forfeit your payment."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Fear not, that would never happen."

"You think so."

"I know so," I retorted.

"I am quite an attractive man."

"Do you need glasses, or do you need a new mirror?" I knew he was good-looking, but I'd rather die than stroke his ego.

His lips curled into a smile and he continued. “If you get pregnant for any reason, you will get rid of the pregnancy. If you decide to keep it, I'll take the child from you once you give birth. You'll also lose all the money from the contract.”

I gasped.

“I've been a victim of women trying to tie me down with pregnancies. I would not want that to repeat itself.” His voice sank dangerously low.

The air hung with an unspoken threat and I swallowed, gulping down the chill caught in my throat.

“What if you try to seduce me instead?” I jutted my chin.

“That would never, unlike a certain someone I have good eyes.” He sipped from his coffee. “You can end the contract, and walk away with all the money.”

“Fine by me.” Reading through the contract, one last time, I picked up the pen and signed it.

No sex, no pregnancy, no wifely duties, sounded like a beautiful deal. The only role I had was to be a mother to Ava.

I leaned into the chair. “So this isn’t just about a petty game, it’s for your daughter.” I pressed.

“If she wants a doll to play with, then I buy it for her,” Julian said casually, sipping from his coffee. “Think about it as killing two birds with one stone.

Wasn’t this the man who said it was rude to call people dolls? Another thought hit me; What if some of his failed marriages were actual contract marriages and the women were just toys for his daughters? A shiver sprinted down my spine.

Was that what I was going to be; A doll for his daughter?

“Good thing you accepted the deal. You finally saw I was right.” He dropped his empty cup on the table, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Despite the chill that rocked my core, I rose. “You were wrong about one thing.”

He cocked his brows.

“About seeing $500,000 hanging on a tree,” I said. I wasn’t going to be the only one left with chills. “Guess what. I just found that tree.” I pointed back at Julian . I wasn't going to let another man use me just like Ethan did. “I plan on plucking every fruit and leaves till the tree is barren.” My voice deepened.

Managing the knots in my stomach, I strutted out of the dining room, knowing I had just tied myself to the devil.