Bound by Contract

Skylar

The sharp chime of the doorbell startled me awake. I groggily sat up, rubbing my eyes as I glanced at the clock. It was still early. Who could it be at this hour?

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the door and opened it. A delivery man stood there, holding a neatly wrapped package.

“Delivery for Skylar McLair?”

“That’s me,” I said, still half-asleep.

He handed me the package, nodded, and left without another word. I closed the door behind me and stared at the box in my hands. There was a small card attached to it, signed with a single name—Cole.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the package.

Taking a deep breath, I set the box down on the table and carefully peeled back the wrapping.

Inside was an ivory-colored dress, neatly folded. The fabric felt smooth, beautiful and expensive beneath my fingers.

But why had he sent me such a beautiful dress?

Before I could think further, my phone suddenly rang.

I picked it up hesitantly.

“You’re awake,” Cole’s dee