Chapter 2: A Proposal Wrapped in Power

Rain pounded against the roof of the Rolls-Royce.

Ava stood outside, soaked to the bone, staring at the open car door.

A marriage contract?

Had she finally reached the point where nothing made sense anymore?

"You've got the wrong woman," she said, taking a step back.

Damien Blackwood remained perfectly still.

"No."

"I've found the right one."

His confidence unsettled her.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

Lightning flashed across the dark sky.

The reporters had finally caught sight of the black Rolls-Royce.

"Oh my God!"

"That's Damien Blackwood!"

"What's he doing here?"

Several cameras immediately turned toward the car.

Ava's heart lurched.

"I can't do this."

She turned to leave.

"Miss Carter."

She stopped.

"If you walk away now, they'll follow you."

Almost on cue, a reporter shouted,

"There she is!"

Within seconds, dozens of journalists rushed toward her.

"Miss Carter!"

"Did your fiancé leave you for your stepsister?"

"Are the Lawsons cancelling the wedding?"

"Is it true your father approved the affair?"

Questions flew like arrows.

Camera flashes blinded her.

Someone grabbed her arm.

"Please answer one question!"

Ava pulled away, panic rising in her chest.

Then, suddenly—

A firm hand wrapped gently around hers.

Damien.

Without saying a word, he stepped between her and the crowd.

His security team appeared from nowhere, forming a human shield.

"No further questions."

The bodyguards guided Ava into the Rolls-Royce.

The door shut.

Silence.

Only the sound of rain remained.

Ava stared at her trembling hands.

"I hate crowds," she whispered.

Damien noticed the slight tremor in her breathing.

"Driver."

"Yes, sir."

"The hospital."

Ava looked up.

"I'm not injured."

"No."

He studied her quietly.

"But you're in shock."

---

Twenty minutes later...

The Rolls-Royce stopped beneath the private entrance of Blackwood Medical Center.

Doctors were already waiting.

Ava blinked.

"You called ahead?"

"I don't like wasting time."

After a brief examination, the doctor smiled reassuringly.

"Your blood pressure is high from stress, and you're slightly dehydrated. Other than that, you'll be fine."

A nurse handed Ava a cup of hot tea and dry clothes.

When she finally emerged from the examination room, she no longer looked like a runaway bride.

But the sadness in her eyes remained.

Damien was standing by the window overlooking the city.

His phone buzzed.

He answered without turning around.

"Yes."

A familiar voice echoed from the speaker.

"Mr. Blackwood, the board has called an emergency meeting."

"They've heard about today's incident."

"They're demanding to know whether you've found a suitable wife."

Damien's expression never changed.

"Tell them the search is over."

He ended the call.

Ava folded her arms.

"You announced it already?"

"I announced my intention."

"You still haven't asked whether I agree."

"I have."

"No."

"You made a proposal."

For the first time, Damien smiled.

A tiny smile.

Barely noticeable.

"Fair point."

He walked toward a nearby table and placed a leather folder in front of her.

"Read it."

She opened it.

Inside was a neatly prepared agreement.

Marriage Contract

Duration: One year.

Public marriage only.

No romantic obligations.

Mutual respect required.

Absolute confidentiality.

Compensation upon completion...

Fifty million dollars.

Ava stared.

"You expect me to believe this is real?"

"It is."

"Why would anyone pay fifty million dollars for a fake marriage?"

"Because losing my company would cost much more."

She looked up.

"So that's all this is?"

"My grandfather's will."

"You have to marry."

"Before your thirtieth birthday."

"And if you don't?"

"I lose my position as Chairman of Blackwood Group."

She closed the folder.

"There must be thousands of women willing to marry you."

"There are."

"Then why me?"

For the first time...

Damien hesitated.

His gaze drifted toward the rain outside.

"When I investigate people..."

"I don't look for perfection."

"I look for character."

He looked back at her.

"Everything I've learned about Ava Carter says one thing."

She waited.

"You don't betray people."

Those words caught her completely off guard.

He continued.

"You cared for your father even when his company was failing."

"You volunteered at children's hospitals."

"You secretly paid your college roommate's tuition."

Ava's eyes widened.

"How do you know that?"

"I investigate everyone who enters my life."

She felt exposed.

"You've been watching me."

"I've been verifying you."

Silence settled between them.

Finally she asked,

"What if I refuse?"

Damien answered honestly.

"Then I'll respect your decision."

She frowned.

"That's it?"

"I'm offering you a choice."

"Not a prison."

His answer surprised her.

She had expected arrogance.

Not respect.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Damien's assistant entered hurriedly.

"Sir."

"What is it?"

"The media found the hospital."

Damien sighed.

"So soon."

"They're broadcasting live."

"They're saying the woman with you is your secret lover."

Ava's face paled.

"They'll never leave me alone."

"No."

Damien looked toward the entrance.

"They won't."

Outside, dozens of reporters crowded behind the security gates.

Microphones were already waiting.

"If we leave separately," Ava whispered, "they'll keep chasing me."

"They'll chase you for weeks."

"And if we leave together?"

"They'll chase us."

She looked confused.

"That's better?"

"They'll stop treating you like a victim."

"They'll start treating you like someone they can't touch."

Ava thought about everything she'd lost today.

Her father.

Her fiancé.

Her home.

Her dignity.

For the first time since the wedding...

Someone was offering her protection instead of pity.

She took a slow breath.

"I have one condition."

Damien raised an eyebrow.

"If I agree..."

"...you never lie to me."

He answered without hesitation.

"Agreed."

"And if either of us wants out..."

"We discuss it first."

"Agreed."

She extended her hand.

"I'm Ava Carter."

A faint smile touched Damien's lips as he shook it.

"Damien Blackwood."

The assistant cleared his throat.

"Sir... the reporters are still waiting."

Damien looked at Ava.

"Ready?"

She wasn't.

Not even close.

But she nodded anyway.

Together, they walked toward the hospital entrance.

The doors slid open.

A wall of flashing cameras exploded before them.

"Mr. Blackwood!"

"Who is she?"

"Are you two engaged?"

Damien looked at Ava for a brief moment, silently asking for permission.

She gave the smallest nod.

He slipped an arm around her waist.

Then he faced the cameras.

His voice was calm, clear, and impossible to misinterpret.

"Allow me to introduce the future Mrs. Blackwood."

The crowd fell silent.

Ava's eyes widened.

That wasn't part of the contract.

Before she could react, Damien leaned close enough for only her to hear.

"I'm sorry."

"But now..."

"...there's truly no turning back."