Chapter Three: The Terms of the Contract

*The Billionaire's Contract Bride*

Chapter Three: The Terms of the Contract.

Claire barely slept.

The call she had made to Martin Blackwood's private number lasted less than thirty seconds.

"I'll meet you," she had said.

Martin's reply had been calm and emotionless.

"Nine o'clock. My office."

Then the line went dead.

The next morning, Claire stood before the mirror in her bedroom.

She chose a cream-colored pantsuit instead of a dress.

Today wasn't a date.

It was a negotiation.

She tied her blonde hair into a neat ponytail, picked up her leather folder, and looked at her reflection.

"You are Claire Jacobs," she whispered.

"You don't beg."

"You negotiate."

With that, she walked out.

Blackwood Tower.

Exactly 8:58 a.m.

Claire stepped out of the elevator.

The receptionist smiled politely.

"Good morning, Miss Jacobs."

"Mr. Blackwood is expecting you."

Claire nodded.

Everything about the building screamed power.

The polished marble floors.

The crystal chandeliers.

The quiet efficiency of employees moving with purpose.

Even the air felt expensive.

Moments later, the office doors opened.

Martin stood by the panoramic window, overlooking Los Angeles.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"You're two minutes early."

Claire smiled faintly.

"I dislike keeping people waiting."

Martin finally turned.

"So do I."

Their eyes met.

Neither looked away.

The room fell silent, almost as if each was waiting for the other to blink first.

Martin gestured toward a chair.

"Sit."

Claire remained standing.

"I'll stand."

One corner of Martin's lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

Interesting.

Most people obeyed him without hesitation.

She hadn't.

"I assume you've made your decision," he said.

Claire looked directly into his green eyes.

"I haven't."

Martin raised an eyebrow.

"But I came to negotiate."

For the first time in years...

Someone had surprised Martin Blackwood.

He walked to his desk and folded his arms.

"Go ahead."

Claire placed a folder on the table.

"If I'm expected to become your wife for one year, then I also have conditions."

Martin said nothing.

"I will protect your reputation in public."

"I will attend family functions."

"I will fulfill every duty required by the agreement."

She paused.

"But my family remains under my protection."

Martin listened carefully.

"You will pay every outstanding debt owed by the Jacobs family."

"You will save our company from liquidation."

"My father will receive the best medical treatment available."

"My mother will continue living in our home."

"And..."

She took a slow breath.

"You will never use my family as leverage against me."

Silence.

Martin looked at her without speaking.

Claire refused to lower her gaze.

Finally...

Martin spoke.

"Anything else?"

"Yes."

"If either of us develops genuine feelings during the contract..."

She smiled politely.

"We end the agreement."

Martin stared at her.

"You believe that could happen?"

Claire shrugged.

"I don't know."

"But I've learned never to underestimate the human heart."

Martin almost laughed.

Almost.

Instead, he walked toward her until only a few feet separated them.

"Miss Jacobs..."

His voice was calm.

"That is the one condition you don't need."

"Why?"

"Because I never fall in love."

Claire answered immediately.

"Neither do I."

Neither of them believed the other.

Martin picked up the contract.

Without reading it, he tore it neatly in half.

Claire's eyes widened.

"What are you doing?"

"The old contract no longer applies."

He walked toward his secretary.

"Prepare a new one."

He looked back at Claire.

"With every condition she requested."

The secretary blinked.

"Sir?"

"You heard me."

The woman nodded quickly.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

Claire was stunned.

She had expected an argument.

A rejection.

A threat.

Instead...

Martin accepted every demand.

Why?

An hour later...

A fresh contract rested on the table.

Martin signed first.

Then slid the pen toward Claire.

"This is your last opportunity to walk away."

Claire looked down.

One signature.

That was all it would take.

Her freedom...

for one year.

Images flooded her mind.

Her father collapsing from stress.

Her mother crying in silence.

The bank officials.

The foreclosure notice.

She slowly picked up the pen.

"Before I sign..."

Martin looked at her.

"I have one question."

"Ask."

"Why me?"

The office became unusually quiet.

Martin walked back toward the window.

For several seconds...

He said nothing.

Then...

"Three years ago..."

Claire listened carefully.

"My grandfather told me something."

He smiled faintly.

"'When you're searching for someone to stand beside you...'"

"'Don't look for the richest woman.'"

"'Find the woman who still stands after life has knocked her down.'"

Martin turned.

"And after investigating you..."

"I realized..."

"You never stopped standing."

Claire's heartbeat quickened.

She wasn't expecting that answer.

It wasn't romantic.

It wasn't flattering.

It was...

Respect.

For the first time since meeting Martin Blackwood...

She saw something beyond the cold billionaire.

She saw a man carrying invisible scars.

Without another word...

Claire signed.

Martin signed beneath her signature.

The contract was complete.

At that exact moment...

The office doors burst open.

"Martin!"

A beautiful woman wearing a designer red dress stormed inside.

She froze the moment she saw Claire.

Then her eyes landed on the signed contract.

"No..."

Her voice trembled.

"You can't be serious."

She looked at Martin.

"You said you would never marry anyone!"

Claire looked between them.

The tension in the room changed instantly.

Martin's face hardened.

"Ivy..."

"You weren't invited."

The woman's eyes filled with tears.

She pointed at Claire.

"Who is she?"

Martin answered without hesitation.

"My wife."

The room fell completely silent.

Claire's eyes widened.

Wife?

They hadn't even held a wedding.

Yet the single word changed everything.

Ivy stared at Claire with disbelief...

Before slowly smiling.

A smile that sent chills through Claire's body.

"You've just made the biggest mistake of your life."

She turned and walked out.

The office door slammed shut behind her.

Claire looked at Martin.

"I have a feeling she wasn't congratulating us."

Martin sighed quietly.

"No."

He looked toward the closed door.

"She was declaring war."