Chapter Two: The Contract Trap.

Aria's POV

“Marriage? To whom?” I asked in sheer confusion as I got up and my father sighed, leaning into his chair.

“See what I meant? This was why I didn't want to talk about it. It's crazy to think about it.” He replied but I shook my head.

It was crazy truly, but if this was the only option, maybe I would finally be doing something good for my family.

“That's not what I meant. I just wanted to know who I would be getting married to and why this can save our family.” I muttered and he looked up at me with hope in his eyes, giving me hope as well.

“He's, well, a reclusive tycoon. You should have heard of him. Romanov Sleigh.” He replied and my brows furrowed as the name registered in my head.

“Hold on, the billionaire tycoon? The one the world is sure is involved in underworld businesses?” I asked and when he nodded, it felt like I had just stepped into a trap.

“That very one.”

“Why does he want to get married? He's reclusive. Did he choose me specifically? Why?” I asked and my father had to put his hands out to stop me from asking more questions.

“Actually…” He started and my eyes narrowed. “He didn't exactly choose you.”

“Then?” I asked in confusion, and he let out a sigh. “What are you not telling me?”

“He wants to get married for reasons unknown to anyone and his wife has been chosen. But he hasn't seen her before. Now, she's disappeared. No one knows where she's gone but Romanov has no idea.” He explained and my mouth hung open in shock.

“His bride disappeared? Did she die or…”

“No one knows.” He replied and my heart stopped. “It could be that she ran away or got kidnapped. No one knows actually. But Romanov has to get married in two days. And his bride will automatically get over half of his properties.” He explained and I paused, turning to look at him in shock.

“Half? That man is a billionaire! If that's the case, why would his bride run? Unless she was in trouble.” I muttered, mostly to myself than to him and he sighed. “Wait, how do you know all this?”

“I received a letter yesterday.” He confessed, taking out a piece of paper and handing it to me. “The person offered a million dollars and a partnership with our company only if you agree to be a stand-in bride for the tycoon.”

“So, I was technically chosen by this anonymous person?” I asked and he nodded. “You don't even know who it is. Why should you believe him?”

“He's not exactly anonymous, Aria. He's the personal secretary to Romanov. His head would be on a plate if Romanov found out that his bride was missing.” He explained, and I sighed, slumping into the chair as all this information made my head spin.

“Romanov didn't choose me but his secretary did. If I don't agree, we would be jeopardized and his secretary would be as good as dead.”

This was just pure blackmail. Especially since I didn't have a choice.

“What if he finds out the truth?” I questioned, placing the paper on the couch. “What if somehow Romanov knows that I'm not his real bride? What if the real bride shows up someday?”

“I doubt he'd believe her or find out the truth. He has never seen her before. So it's up to you to make him believe you're his bride.” Father responded as he made his way to me and took my hands.

“It's too risky,” I muttered, my brows furrowed slightly. “One slight mistake and… I could be dead.”

“It's okay if you don't want to do this, dear.” He said and I glanced at him. “You're my daughter and I won't force you to do whatever you don't want to do.”

Father had never called me dear or spoken to me with such a soft voice. It made me feel special, especially after knowing that I could save the company once again.

Maybe if I did this, my mother would stop hating me as well. Maybe she would see that I could be useful too.

“I'll do it,” I muttered and he looked at me in surprise. “I'll do anything to make our family better. It's just getting married, right? How hard could it be?”

I hoped I wouldn't regret making that decision or that statement. But there was no other choice.

“Thank you, how lucky am I to have a daughter like you?” He said with a smile and I blushed, waving shyly. “You can return home. I'll let him know that you've agreed. But first…”

He stood up and walked to the desk before taking out a document.

“What's that?” I asked and he smiled at me.

“A contract. To ensure you don't change your mind as his last bride did.” He explained and I muttered a soft “ah” in response.

I didn't bother reading through the contract since he assured me that he had read it so I signed and stood up.

“I'll be on my way,” I muttered and he nodded, patting my shoulder gently. I walked out of the office with my heart in my throat as I made my way to the elevator.

I had just walked out of it when I realized I had left my phone back at the office. I immediately rushed back up, but the moment my hand touched the doorknob, I heard my father's voice, and I froze.

“You were right,” He said and I frowned. “She's just a dumb child who would do anything for us. She signed the contract stupidly. Everything that would be hers would immediately belong to us. She has no idea that she's just a vessel to be used to get what we want.”

I literally froze in shock, unable to believe my ears. How could he do this to me?

“Who cares if the tycoon kills her? As long as we get what we want.” His voice boomed, and it felt like a bomb had just landed in my head.