The contract marriage

SIERRA POV

By my third day in prison, I had learned one thing:

Survival wasn’t optional.

It was necessary.

And unfortunately… so were chores.

I stood in the laundry room, staring blankly at the washing machine like it had personally offended me.

Anna raised a brow.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know how to use that.”

I let out a small, awkward laugh.

“I don’t.”

She blinked.

“You’re serious?”

“I’ve never touched one before,” I admitted. “We had people for that.”

She shook her head, amused.

“You must’ve been really rich.”

I shrugged.

“My best friend used to handle everything.”

The words tasted bitter now.

Used to.

Anna stepped forward and began loading the machine.

“Okay, watch closely,” she said. “Clothes go in first. Then detergent but not too much. Use the cap.”

I nodded, pretending to pay attention.

But my mind was elsewhere.

Faline.

Kage.

Silence.

Betrayal.

“Why are you doing the newbie’s chores?”

The voice cut through the room like a blade.

We turned.

Adeena.

Of course.

And she wasn’t alone.

Anna stiffened beside me.

“I’m just showing her.”

I gently pushed Anna behind me.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” I said calmly.

Adeena smirked.

“Looking for another beating?”

“No,” I said softly. “But I am giving you a choice.”

Her brows lifted.

“Oh?”

“You can walk away… or stay and regret it.”

She laughed.

“You think I’m scared of you?”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I glanced at Anna.

That was the signal.

The lights went out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Chaos followed.

I moved fast grabbing Adeena by the hair, yanking her head back as she let out a scream.

“You should’ve stayed away,” I whispered.

In one swift motion.

Snip.

Her hair fell to the floor.

The lights flickered back on.

Silence.

Adeena stood frozen, her hand slowly rising to her head.

Then realization hit.

“You cut my hair?!” she shrieked.

I twirled the scissors between my fingers.

“I could’ve done worse.”

Her eyes darted around.

Her girls were gone.

Good.

“You just started a war,” she said coldly before storming out.

The moment she disappeared, Anna threw her arms around me.

“Oh my God, Sierra you’re insane!”

I smirked.

“And effective.”

NASH POV

I sat in silence, staring at nothing.

Sierra.

Prison.

The words didn’t feel real.

Chloe’s hand rested gently on my shoulder.

“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly. “What’s wrong?”

I forced a smile.

“Just work.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“You’re lying.”

I sighed.

Of course she knew.

“It’s Sierra,” I admitted. “She’s in prison.”

Her hand fell.

“Prison?”

I nodded.

“She’s been living a double life. She’s a jewel thief.”

Shock flickered across her face.

Then something else.

Guilt.

“Chloe… what is it?”

She hesitated.

“There was a time… she took a ring from a store,” she said quietly. “I thought she bought it.”

I clenched my jaw.

“You should’ve told me.”

“I didn’t think it was serious,” she whispered.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.

“My father is going to lose it when he finds out.”

“And Sierra doesn’t want him to know?” Chloe asked.

“No.”

Silence fell.

“I’ll fix this,” I said finally.

Even if I didn’t know how.

ARES POV

I walked into the station with one purpose.

Control.

The guard led her in moments later.

Sierra.

Even bruised… she looked dangerous.

Unbreakable.

She rolled her eyes the moment she saw me.

“What do you want now?”

I studied her face.

The bruises.

The cut lip.

Something twisted in my chest.

“Who did this to you?”

She scoffed.

“Why do you care? You’re the reason I’m here.”

Fair.

“I’m not here to argue,” I said calmly. “I’m here to offer you something.”

She leaned back, amused.

“Oh? This should be interesting.”

I met her gaze.

“Your freedom.”

Silence.

Her expression shifted just slightly.

“And what’s the price?” she asked.

“Marry me.”

The reaction was immediate.

“Are you insane?!”

I took a slow sip of water.

“No.”

I leaned forward.

“Look around you, Sierra. This place will destroy you.”

Her jaw tightened.

“I can get you out,” I continued. “Clean record. No prison.”

She didn’t speak.

Good.

That meant she was thinking.

“I’ll give you three days,” I said, standing. “Decide wisely.”

“And what do you get out of this?” she called after me.

I paused.

“That’s not your concern.”

Then I walked out.

Because I already knew she would say yes.

SIERRA POV

Anna was practically vibrating with curiosity when I returned.

“Who was that?”

I rolled my eyes.

“The man who got me arrested.”

Her jaw dropped.

“And?”

“He wants to marry me.”

She stared at me like I had just said something insane.

“In exchange for my freedom.”

Her expression changed instantly.

“You should say yes.”

I frowned.

“I don’t even know him.”

“You don’t need to,” she shot back. “You need to get out of here.”

I looked at the bars.

At the walls.

At my reality.

She was right.

I didn’t have a choice.

THREE DAYS LATER

He came back.

Of course he did.

We sat across from each other again.

“So?” he asked.

I held his gaze.

“I’ll do it.”

A slow smirk spread across his face.

“I knew you would.”

The door opened.

Mabel unlocked my cuffs.

Just like that.

Freedom.

It didn’t feel real.

He extended his hand.

I hesitated… then took it.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Ares Vincenzo.”

We stepped outside together and were immediately blinded by flashing lights.

Cameras.

Voices.

Reporters shouting.

I froze.

He lied.

“You said no media,” I hissed.

He squeezed my hand.

“Smile,” he whispered.

I forced one.

Click.

Click.

Click.

The world watched as I walked out of prison hand in hand with the man who owned my freedom.

My husband.

I leaned closer, my smile never wavering.

“You’re dead the moment we’re alone,” I whispered sweetly.

His lips curved slightly.

“I look forward to it.”

And just like that the game changed.