Chapter 1

Prologue

Five years ago, in the dimly lit room of a club, a young lady laid unconscious on a dirty couch. Her long, dark hair was splayed out around her like a halo. The music from the club thumped loudly outside the closed door, muffling the sounds of her shallow breathing. Her dress was hiked up around her waist, revealing her underwear and the bruises on her thighs.

She was just another victim of the predatory club-goer who had slipped something into her drink and taken advantage of her. She laid there, alone and violated, feeling a mix of fear, anger, and confusion. She had no idea who he was or why he had done this to her,

As she tried to piece together what had happened, she saw him standing just beside the window, his back to her. He was wearing only his trousers, and she could see a Hawaiian tattoo on his back. The light reflecting off the window obscured his face, but she knew with a sickening sense of certainty that he was the one who had taken advantage of her while she was unconscious.

She tried to speak, to question him, to demand to know why he had done this to her. But before she could get the words out, he quickly gathered his things and left the room without a word. 

He didn't know her name or care about her life. She was just another conquest to him, another notch on his bedpost. All he cared about was satisfying his own desires, no matter the cost. As he left the room, a sense of exhilaration and power surged through him. Little did he know, this moment would come back to haunt him in ways he never could have imagined.

Chapter 1

"A marriage contract?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Elma's eyes widened in shock as Gael handed her a document.

"Yes, a marriage contract. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. I need a wife for a business merger to happen. The contract is for two years, and during that time, we'll live together as husband and wife. After that, we'll part ways amicably and you'll be financially set for life." Gael responded.

Elma stared at him, her mind racing. "I-I don't know what to say," she stammered.

Gael leaned forward, a small smile on his lips. "I think you'll be perfect for the job"

Elma's mind was racing. "But what about your girlfriend? Why can't you marry her for this contract?"

Gael's smile faded slightly. "I need someone who is reliable and trustworthy, and I know you are those things. I promise, this will be a strictly professional arrangement. You will be well compensated for your time and there will be no strings attached."

Elma couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had never even considered the possibility of a marriage contract before. 

"I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I can't sign this contract.

Gael's expression. "Elma, please. Just think about it. This is a great opportunity for you. You'll be well compensated for your time and you'll be able to use the money to achieve your dreams."

Elma shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't go through with this. I'm done for the day and I have to leave. I'm sorry." She stood up and began to clear his table.

Gael pleaded with her. "Please, Elma. Don't make a decision you'll regret. Take some time to think about it. I promise you won't regret it."

Elma shook her head. "I'm sorry. My mind is made up. I have to go." She turned and walked away, leaving Gael sitting alone at the table, staring after her.

Elma stepped out of the restaurant and onto the busy street. She hailed a taxi and gave the driver her address. As the taxi made its way through the crowded city, Elma's mind raced with thoughts of the marriage contract and what it would mean for her future.

She finally arrived home and let herself into her apartment and made her way to her bedroom. She flopped down onto her bed and let out a sigh.

Chloe walked into the room where Elma was laying and grinned mischievously. "So, how was your day?" 

"Gael came to me yesterday," she began hesitantly. "He offered me a contract marriage. He said it would be beneficial for both of our careers."

Chloe's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wow, And what did you tell him?"

"I told him no," Elma replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bring myself to do it. It doesn't feel right. I can't pretend to be someone's wife for two years just for money."

"Elma, you need to move on from what happened five years ago. It's been holding you back for too long. Gael's offer might not be what you want, but it could be a step in the right direction for you."

Elma's eyes blazed with anger. "I can't believe you're telling me to move on and forget about it!" she exclaimed. "You have no idea what I went through that night. The fear, the pain, the trauma. It's something that I never want to remember, but it's always there, haunting me every day."

Chloe looked at her friend, her expression filled with concern. "I'm sorry, Elma," she said softly. "I didn't realize how much it still affected you. I just want to see you happy and healthy again."

"I can't be happy and healthy when the memory of that night is always with me," Elma said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can't just brush it under the rug and pretend like it never happened. It changed me, Chloe. It changed me forever."

Chloe looked at her friend, her expression filled with concern. "I'm sorry, Elma," she said softly. "I didn't realize how much it still affected you. I just want to see you happy and healthy again."

Elma turned to Chloe, her expression skeptical. "What makes you think I'll be happy with a contract marriage? It's not like it's a real relationship. It's just a business arrangement."

Elma shook her head. "I don't know, Chloe. It just seems so cold and calculated. I don't think I could ever have feelings for someone I entered into a marriage with just for convenience."

"Sometimes love grows out of unexpected situations." Chloe responded.

Elma's expression hardened as she stood up from the bed. ''I'm not looking for love, Chloe. You know that. Everything about it just hurts.'' With those words, Elma began to undress, her movements quick and agitated.

"Don't close yourself off to the possibility of a contract marriage." Chloe said.

"I need to think more about it." Elma looked thoughtful. 

Chloe watched in silence as Elma wrapped a towel around her body and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. 

Left alone in the room, Chloe couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for her friend. She knew that Elma had been hurt in the past and the thought of opening herself up to a man again was terrifying for her."

Elma stood under the hot water, letting it cascade over her body as she thought about the contract marriage proposal. The money would certainly be a game changer for her. She had always dreamed of tracking down the man who had hurt her so deeply five years ago.

With the money from the contract marriage, she could finally afford to hire a private investigator to find him. She could also use it to make sure he paid for what he had done to her, either through legal action or by making sure he knew she was still out there, still fighting for justice.

As she washed her hair, she thought about all the ways she could make him pay. She could ruin his reputation, his career, and his life. She could make him regret the day he ever laid a hand on her. And with the money from the contract marriage, she finally had the means to make it happen.

Elma walked out of the bathroom, her mind made up. She had come to the conclusion that accepting the contract marriage was the best decision for her. 

She walked over to the bed and sat down, reaching for her bag to search for her phone. She needed to call Gael, and tell him that she had decided to accept his offer.

She found her phone and quickly dialed Gael's number. Her heart was beating fast as she waited for him to pick up. After a few rings, she heard his familiar voice on the other end.

"Elma, I've been waiting for your call," he said.