Chapter 6

I looked down at the contract, my fingers hovering over the paper. The pen remained clenched tightly in my hand, yet I couldn't bring myself to sign.

This was it. The moment I had been running from.

Just a few hours ago, I had called this man absurd. Now, I was sitting across from him, preparing to become his wife.

Life truly had a funny way of making a fool out of people.

Roman raised a brow slightly. "You seem hesitant."

I scoffed. "Hesitant? You're asking me to marry a man I've only known for a few hours."

His expression remained unchanged.

"Technically, you're the one who called me."

I gritted my teeth.

I hated that he was right.

My eyes drifted back to the contract. Three years of living as Roman Evercrest's wife. Three years in exchange for my company, my freedom, and a hundred million dollars.

It sounded ridiculous. But then again, so did losing everything because of someone I once called my best friend.

The image of Millie's smug face flashed through my mind.

"What is it? What is the clause?" Roman asked.

I slowly raised my head. "I need you to understand that the revenge I'm talking about isn't just something you can dismiss anytime you want."

His gaze remained fixed on me.

"I want revenge. A full-time plan, one that'd work for me. High-class suffering. If you get what I mean."

For a brief moment, I wondered if I had gone too far. But then a smile slowly appeared on Roman's face.

"High-class suffering, uh?" he repeated.

I nodded. "Millie stole from me. She destroyed everything my parents left behind."

I laughed bitterly. "I trusted her."

Roman remained silent.

"She took the company's money, framed me for everything, and now she's living comfortably while I'm the one about to go to jail."

My fingers curled into a fist. "I don't want her locked up for a few years. I want her begging, miserable, and unable to find tears even when her chest hurts. I want her to lose everything."

Roman stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a low chuckle. "You surprise me, Miss Hawthorne."

I frowned. "Is that a yes? You don't mind doing anything just to achieve that?"

"It depends."

My brows knitted together. "On what?"

Roman folded his arms. "On whether you can uphold your side of the agreement."

"I definitely will. Pretending shouldn't be much of a big deal, right?"

His expression immediately turned serious. "This marriage will last three years. You need to see it as a big deal, so we can sell it off well.”

I nodded. "I know."

"You will live with me. You will accompany me to events whenever necessary. You will attend family gatherings."

I stared at him. I wanted to ask more questions, but Roman spoke first.

"There will also be boundaries."

I tilted my head slightly. "Boundaries?"

"This marriage is contractual. So you don't interfere with my personal affairs, and you don't expect anything beyond what's written in that contract."

For some reason, I felt oddly irritated.

What exactly did he think I wanted from him?

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry. I have no intention of falling in love with you."

Roman looked at me for a moment, then he chuckled, “Good.”

The court hearing was tomorrow.

Heather Evercrest already saw me as a threat, Millie was protected, and my company was hanging by a thread.

I took a deep breath. There was no point running from reality.

I lowered the pen and signed my name.

The moment I finished, Roman pulled the contract towards himself. His eyes briefly scanned the page before he closed the file.

A strange feeling settled inside my chest.

Roman got to his feet. "I'll have my lawyers handle the remaining details."

I stared at him. "That's it?"

He arched a brow. "What else were you expecting?"

I scoffed, lifted my shoulder dramatically. Roman said no word and just shook his head. He simply picked up his suit jacket, and I followed him outside.

The cool night air brushed against my skin as we stepped out of the restaurant.

The lawsuits would disappear, and the company would survive. I wasn't completely doomed anymore.

I stopped walking when Roman turned to look at me.

"What is it?" I asked, glaring at him.

Before I could press further, his phone rang.

Roman glanced at the screen. His expression immediately hardened.

He answered the call. "Yes."

I watched him quietly. His face remained unreadable throughout the entire conversation.

Eventually, he ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"What happened?" I asked.

A small smile appeared on his lips. "Nothing important."

Roman took a step closer, then another. I found myself instinctively holding my breath.

"Go home." He mumbled.

"Uhh?" I stood still, stunned.

"Go home. Pack your things. We're getting married tomorrow.”

I smiled and pushed him off, giving space between us.

“With all due respect, Mr Evercrest. You should meet your end of the deal as much as I do mine. So…how about we keep the space intact when no one is around?”

“I agree, Miss Hawthorne.” He smiled and took more steps back.

I slowly walked away from him and straight to my car, got in, and got home as soon as I could.

I dropped my bag onto the couch and sank into the nearest chair. My eyes drifted around the small apartment I had lived in for years.

Everything was happening too fast.

A few weeks ago, my biggest concern was finding enough investors to save the company.

Now?

I was preparing to become Roman Evercrest's wife.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

I dragged myself off the chair, my exhaustion still clinging to my bones. The moment I pulled the door open, I barely had time to react before Yuna rushed inside.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, her breathing uneven, like she had run all the way here. Her eyes scanned my face immediately.