Maya sat at the small, chipped kitchen table, the pen trembling in her hand. She stared at the contract in front of her, the ink promising freedom, security, and a life she couldn't even dream of. One year. A year. Could she really do this?
The sound of Elias shifting behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. His presence was unsettling, like a storm lurking on the horizon, waiting to break. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her back, the pressure building with every passing second.
"You don't have to do this," Elias said, his tone soft but firm. He was standing by the window now, arms crossed, looking at her with an unreadable expression.
She looked up at him, a swirl of emotions rising in her chest. His offer was tempting. Hell, it was more than tempting—it was everything she had ever wanted. But then, there was that voice inside her head, the one telling her this was a dangerous game, one that could cost her more than just her dignity.
Her fingers curled around the pen. She had nothing left to lose.
"I'll do it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elias's eyes flashed with something—a mix of relief and something darker. He nodded once, as if he expected her answer. "Sign it."
Maya took a deep breath and signed her name.
As soon as the pen left the paper, it was like the world shifted. There was no turning back now.
"Good," Elias said, his voice smooth and calculating. He stepped toward her, reaching for the contract, his fingers brushing against hers. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and something passed between them—a spark, a warning, a promise. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and slipped the document into his coat.
Maya watched him, heart racing. This wasn't just a contract. This was a contract with a man who wasn't who he seemed. A man with secrets. Dangerous ones.
But it was done. She had made her choice.
"Tomorrow, you'll move into my apartment," Elias said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Pack your things. I'll send someone to help. From now on, we live together. As husband and wife. You'll play the part—keep up the act in front of everyone."
Maya nodded, her mouth dry. "And you'll… you'll leave me alone when it's over?"
Elias turned back to face her, his eyes unreadable. "We both will. One year. And then, you're free."
She wasn't sure if she believed him. The silence stretched, thick with the weight of everything that had just changed. And yet, in the back of her mind, a question lingered: What was Elias really after?
The next day, she found herself standing in front of the massive penthouse building, the opulence of it making her stomach twist with unease. She had barely even packed, just grabbed the essentials. It didn't feel real.
As the elevator ascended to the top floor, Maya's thoughts raced. She didn't know what to expect. Elias's world was unfamiliar, like a foreign planet—rich, cold, and full of people who would never see her as anything more than a pawn in a game she didn't understand.
The doors opened to the penthouse, and she stepped out into a sleek, modern space that looked more like a showpiece than a home. Cold, minimalist furniture. Glass walls that offered a breathtaking view of the city. Every inch of it screamed wealth.
And then there was Elias.
He was standing by the window, watching her as she stepped inside, his presence commanding. He turned to her as if waiting for her to say something, but Maya couldn't find her voice.
"Your room is down the hall," he said, his tone flat, distant. "There's a closet. A bathroom. I suggest you get settled. We have appearances to maintain."
She nodded, words failing her as she followed his gaze. Her heart fluttered for a moment, her mind racing with the reality of what she had just done. What she had just signed up for.
Elias walked over to a bar, pouring himself a drink. "I'll leave you to get comfortable. Dinner will be at eight. We'll have to start preparing for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" she asked, her voice tight.
"A press event," Elias said, not meeting her eyes as he swirled his drink. "The world will meet the new Mrs. Vale."
And just like that, the weight of the lie settled around her, and she realized that this was only the beginning.