ZARA
"Sign the contract or your family losses everything "
The word echoed in her head like a curse.
Zara Blake sat across from Damien Black the man who ruined her father- and now wanted to marry her. Not for love. Not for redemption but for power.
His presence filled the luxurious office like smoke- dangerous , suffocating , and impossible to ignore.
Everything about him screamed control: the tailored suit, the expensive watch, the cold steel in his eyes.
Zara's fingers clenched the pen.
"You destroyed my father's company", she said quietly.
" and now you want me as your wife ?"
Damien leaned back in his chair, unaffected. "Your father destroyed himself. I just gave him the final push."
The pen shook In her hand.
Stay calm, smile, sign it.
Then ruin him slowly from the inside.
She lifted her chin, "why me? You could have an woman- an actress, a model. Someone who actually wants to marry you."
He tilted his head slightly, amused, "I don't want someone who wants me. I want someone I can control."
Zara's heart pounded in her chest- but she smiled. Sweet, fake, deadly.
"Then you picked the wrong woman."
He smirked." Well see."
She glanced down at the contract again.
A three- year marriage . No emotional attachment. Public appearances when needed. A non disclosure clause. Complete discretion.
And in exchange?
Her family's debt would vanish overnight.
Her father's hospital bills—paid.
Her younger brother's education—secured.
The family name—protected .
But none of that mattered to her.
Because behind her fake smile was deeper mission: revenge
"I'll marry you Damien Black.
And when u fall I will be the one to push you.
Zara signed the contract.
DAMIEN
He watched her sign with a calm face but inside something shifted.
This woman—Zara Blake—wasn't the fragile pawn he expected. There was fire in her, calm and untamed.
And fire he knew could light your way or burn you alive.
He reached for the contract, his fingers brushing hers.
"Welcome to the marriage, Mrs Black", he said smoothly. "Let the game begin."
End of chapter 1
📌Next: The Wedding of Strangers .