Terms and Conditions

“Do you take this man as your husband?”

The priest’s voice echoed in my ears, but everything felt distant… unreal.

I turned slightly, my gaze meeting Alexander’s.

His expression didn’t change.

Calm. Certain. As if this was just another decision in his life.

“I do,” I heard myself say.

The words felt heavy the moment they lift my lips.

“And do you, Alexander King, take this woman-“

“I do.”

He didn’t hesitate, not even for a second.

The Priest nodded quickly, clearly overwhelmed by everything that had just happened.

“Then… I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

A wave of murmur swept through the hall.

Shock.

Disbelief.

Confusion.

But no one dared to object.

“Y-you may…” the priest stammered, “…kiss the bride.”

My breath caught,

Alexander didn’t move immediately.

For a second, I thought he would ignore it.

But then-

He stepped closer.

One hand gently lifted my chin.

My heart pounded wildly.

This was crazy.

Everything about this was crazy.

And yet-

When his lips brushed against mine, it wasn’t rough or forceful.

It was brief.

Controlled.

But intentional.

A statement.

When he pulled away his voice was low and enough that only I could hear.

“Play your role well.”

The words sent a chill down my spine.

Role?

So this really was a deal.

Not a rescue.

Not kindness.

Something else.

Something calculated.

Before I could respond, he straightened and turned to the crowd.

“The ceremony is over,” he announced calmly. “Thank you for attending.”

Just like that.

No celebration.

No joy.

Only tension lingering in the air.

His hands wrapped around mine again, firm and unyielding.

“Let’s go.”

I didn’t resist.

I couldn’t.

Not when my entire life had just changed in less than an hour.

As we walked passed the guests, I could feel their stare burning into me.

But this time-

No one laughed.

No one whispered insult.

They only watched.

Carefully.

Respectfully.

Fearfully.

Outside, a sleek black car was already waiting.

Alexander opened the door for me.

“Get in.”

I hesitated for a split second… then obeyed.

The moment the door closed behind me, the silence became suffocating.

He entered from the other side, sitting beside me with effortless composure.

“Drive,” he instructed.

The car moved instantly.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then-

“Who are you really?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“You already know,” he replied without looking at me.

“That’s not what I meant.”

He finally turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp.

“Then ask the right question.”

My fingers tightened against my dress.

“Why me?” I asked.

A pause.

Long enough to make my heart beat faster.

“You were available,” he said.

The answer felt too simple.

Too cold.

“And expect me to believe that?” I challenged quietly.

“You don’t have to believe anything,” he replied. “You just have to follow the terms.”

My chest tightened.

“Terms?”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a document.

A contract.

Of course.

“This marriage,” he said, handing it to me, “is an arrangement.”

My fingers trembled slightly as I took it.

“Duration?” I asked.

“Until I decide otherwise.”

The same answer as before.

Unsettling.

“And what exactly do you expect from me?”

His eyes held mine now.

Unblinking.

“Simple,” he said. “You will act as wife in public. Attend events. Follow instructions.”

“And in private?”

“Stay out of my business,” he replied calmly. “And don’t fall in love with me.”

The bluntness of his words caught me off guard.

“As if that would happen,” I muttered under my breath.

A faint flicker of amusement crossed his face -gone just as quickly as it appeared.

“Good,” he said. “Then we won’t have a problem.”

I looked down at the contract again.

This was insane.

Everything about this was insane.

But then-

I remembered the laughter.

The humiliation.

The way Daniel had looked at me.

And something inside me hardened.

“Fine,” I said, lifting my head. “I agree.”

No hesitation this time.

No fear.

Just determination.

Alexander studied me for a moment.

As if reassessing something.

Then he nodded once.

“Good choice.”

The car slowed to a stop.

I glanced outside-and my breath caught.

A massive mansion stood before us.

Elegant. Intimidating. Untouchable.

“Welcome home,” Alexander said.

Home?

Before I could react, he stepped out of the car.

I followed slowly, my heart racing again.

This place…

This life…

None of it felt real.

As we approached the entrance, the large door opened instantly.

Staff lined up on both sides.

Waiting.

Watching.

Judging.

And then-

One of them spoke.

“Welcome back, sir.”

A pause.

Then their eyes shifted to me.

“And… madam.”

The word felt strange.

Unfamiliar.

Heavy.

Alexander’s hand rested briefly on my back,

guiding me forward.

“Get used to it,” he said quietly.

“This is your life now.”

I swallowed hard.

But deep down-

I knew he was right.

But what I didn’t know…

Was how much this life would cost me.