CHAPTER 1: The offer

If someone had told me years ago that I’d end up in a fake marriage with the most powerful CEO in New York, I would have laughed in disbelief.

Because I, Annabel Drake, wasn’t a desperate or love-starved woman looking for a rich man to save me. I have principles and I take pride in it. And most of all, I had hatred for everything men like Carson Clair represented. 

Yet life happened when my father was framed and locked up. Leaving my mother, once a happy woman became devastated and now here I am right here standing in the luxurious office of Carson Clair that I would have vowed not to have anything to do with.

"I need you to marry me."He spilled that fateful evening after work.

My brain stopped working for a full six seconds.

Then, I laughed."I must have heard you wrong."I said, sounding as shocked as possible.

Carson leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered, like he hadn’t just dropped the most insane statement of the century.

 "You heard me just fine,"he replied.

I stared at him, unsure of how to feel or what to say. A man like Carson Clair didn’t need to buy a wife, women practically threw themselves at his feet. He was rich, ridiculously good-looking, and had more power than the President, so why the hell was he looking at me like I was his only option?

"Why me?" My voice came out shaky, but I didn’t care.

"Because you hate me."He smiled.

I blinked. "And that makes me the perfect wife… how?"

"Because I don’t need a real wife," he said smoothly. "I need a contract wife. 

Someone who won’t fall in love, and who will do exactly what I say and walk away when it’s over. No strings. No complications."

 "And what do I get in return?"I asked curiously.

 "I’ll clear your father’s name,"He said.

"Excuse me?" My voice lowers like a whisper.

"I know what happened to your father, I know he was framed. I also know that the people who did it are too powerful for you to fight alone."

"And you’re saying you can fix it?"

He nodded. "In just six months of marriage, your father’s record is wiped clean, your mother’s medical bills will be settled and you will have a secured life for yourself”.

“Be my wife,that's all,”He added.

For years, I had fought and had suffered humiliation, I watched my mother waste away, and stood helpless as my father rotted in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

And now, out of nowhere, the well known wealthy arrogant man offered me everything I had been fighting for? It's too good to be true.

"There’s something you’re not telling me," I whispered.

"There are many things I’m not telling you, Annabel. But that’s not your concern."He said unmoved.

For a second, I found myself in a situation where I just wanna run off and deny this ambush I smell, but then, my mother’s sick face flashed in my mind. My father’s voice  pleading his innocence echoes in my head. 

The years I had wasted trying to fight a battle I was never going to win on my own made me realize I had nothing left than to accept this only way out.

I raised my face "Give me the contract."

And just like that, I made a deal with the devil.

One that I already knew… I was going to regret it.

*********

The silence between us remained for a long time as Carson walked back to his desk, completely at ease, like he hadn’t just turned my entire world upside down.

 "I’ll have my lawyers draft the contract by tomorrow."He said finally.

"Tomorrow?" My voice came out louder in shock. "You expect me to sign my life away tomorrow?"

 "Yes. You don’t have much time, Annabel. Every day that passes, your father sits in that prison, and your mother’s condition worsens. Or am I wrong?"

I hated men like him. Men who thought they could control the world, who thought people were just pieces in their little business games.

And now I was about to become one of those pieces.

"Fine," I muttered. "But I have rules too."

Carson raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Oh? Make me know ."

I folded my arms. "First, no physical contact. This is a business arrangement, nothing more."

 "Afraid you’ll fall for me?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. I just don’t like you."

"Fine. What else?"

I hesitated. "I want proof that you can actually clear my father’s name. I won’t sign anything until I see real evidence that you have the power to do that."

He nodded. "Fair enough. You’ll get your proof."

I exhaled, feeling slightly more in control. "Good. Then we have a deal."

Carson extended his hand. I stared at it.

Shaking hands with him felt like sealing a deal with the devil.

But I did it anyway.

I pulled my hand back quickly, clearing my throat. "I’ll be expecting the contract."

Carson’s eyes remained on me.

"Welcome to hell, Mrs. Clair."He said.

I walked out of his office with my heart pounding, knowing one thing for sure.

I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.

**********

As I stepped out of Carson’s office, the reality of what I had just dawned on me.

Oh my !!!!! I was going to be a Mrs and  married to a man I so much despise .I had just traded my happiness and freedom to a billionaire but all for the sake of my parents and getting back our dignity so it's fine.

While in deep thought, my phone vibrated in my bag. I pulled it out, already knowing who it was.

Fred.

I hesitated before answering.

"Annabel?" His voice showing concern. "You okay?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile he couldn’t see. "Yeah, I’m fine."

I wasn’t.

And something told me… this was only the beginning.

I welcomed myself to hell.