She stood frozen, staring at the contract in her hands. Every plan she had made for the next thirty days seemed suddenly meaningless, and yet… a spark of hope flickered deep inside her.
The gala's glittering lights blurred around her. Music floated softly, laughter filled the grand ballroom, and yet Serena could hear nothing but the thundering of her own heartbeat. The sleek folder in her hands wasn't just a piece of paper—it was the key to her family's survival, and possibly… the start of something she hadn't anticipated.
Before she could even think of where to go, Lucas appeared at her side. His presence was like a shadow, sharp and commanding, swallowing the space around her.
"Miss Ashford," he said, his voice calm but firm, "we need to discuss the arrangement."
Serena's heart jumped. "Here?" she whispered.
He glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening. "We have privacy for a moment."
He led her to a quieter corner, where the noise of the gala dimmed into a distant hum. The weight of his gaze made her swallow hard.
"The agreement," he began, sliding the sleek folder across the table, "is simple. Yet it is absolute. You have three days to decide whether you will sign."
Her hands trembled as she picked it up. "Three days…?"
"Yes," he said, his tone unwavering. "Sign it, and your family's debts are secured. Refuse, and they bear the consequences. There are rules you must follow, for two years: no falling in love with me, no pregnancy, no crossing boundaries, and you must maintain appearances as Mrs. Kingsley in public. Do you understand?"
Serena's throat went dry. "I… I think so."
Lucas handed her a business card. "If you decide sooner, come to my office. The decision is yours. But remember, time is limited. Three days."
He turned away slightly, giving her space, though his presence pressed on her mind like a shadow she couldn't shake. Serena nodded, barely able to speak, and watched him disappear back into the crowd.
Even as she left the gala, the glittering lights felt cold and distant. She kept replaying his words in her mind. No love… no pregnancy… two years… three days to decide… Each phrase felt like a weight pressing down on her chest.
Back at her apartment, the contract sat heavily on her desk. For the next two days, Serena could barely focus on anything else. Every moment was consumed by the rules and the decision she had to make.
She stared at the folder for hours, tracing the embossed lines on the cover as though the touch could guide her thoughts. Two years… thirty days had seemed impossible before, but two years?
She recalled Lucas's voice, calm and unwavering. Do not cross boundaries… maintain appearances… Every rule felt like a chain around her wrists, binding her to a life she had not freely chosen.
Serena tried to reason with herself. It's just pretending. I can do this. For my family… But her mind betrayed her. Every time she imagined Lucas—the sharp lines of his face, the intensity in his eyes—her chest tightened. A mix of fear and curiosity twisted in her stomach.
Can I obey all these rules? Can I survive two years without losing myself?
She reread the business card again. If I decide sooner, come to his office… But even the thought of facing him made her palms sweat. Every scenario seemed terrifying, yet the spark of hope remained: perhaps she could endure it. Perhaps she could survive.
Her mind wandered to the gala's moments—the way Lucas had looked at her, so controlled yet so… assessing. She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. It's just business. Nothing else matters.
On the third day, Serena found herself standing before the sleek glass of Kingsley Enterprises Lucas's company. Her heart pounded, her hands shook, but she knew this was the moment of truth.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed through the entrance and stepped inside. The lobby was immaculate, every surface gleaming. The security glanced at her briefly before she was allowed to proceed.
The receptionist looked up from her desk, eyebrow slightly raised.
"Good morning," the receptionist said politely. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Kingsley?"
Serena's throat went dry. She fumbled for the business card Lucas had given her. "Y-Yes… I'm here to see him," she stammered, holding up the card.
The receptionist nodded, then asked, "May I have your name, please?"
"Serena… Serena Morgan," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The receptionist typed her name into the system and glanced at the card again. "Very well, Ms. Morgan. Mr. Kingsley is expecting you. He's on the twenty-fifth floor. Please take the elevator up, and someone will escort you to his office."
Serena nodded, clutching her purse tightly. Her legs felt stiff as she walked to the elevator. She pressed the button for the twenty-fifth floor, the small metallic box suddenly feeling impossibly cramped.
As the elevator doors closed, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her shaking hands. This is it, she thought. Two years. The rules. My family's future. Can I do this?
Each floor that passed felt like a countdown. Her heart thumped louder with every number. Finally, the elevator dinged at the twenty-fifth floor. The doors slid open, revealing a quiet corridor, polished and minimalist, leading straight to Lucas's office.
Serena stepped out, her pulse racing. This was the moment that would change everything.
Finally, the elevator dinged at the twenty-fifth floor. The doors slid open, revealing a quiet corridor, sleek and imposing.
A young woman in a sharp black suit approached, clipboard in hand. "Ms. Morgan? I'm Ms. Caldwell, Mr. Kingsley's executive assistant. I'll take you to his office," she said politely.
Serena swallowed hard and nodded. "Thank you."
Ms. Caldwell led the way, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Serena's heart raced with every step, her hands clutching her purse tightly. This is really happening.
The assistant opened the door to Lucas's office with a gentle push. "Here we are, Ms. Morgan," she said, giving Serena a polite nod before stepping back and closing the door quietly.
Serena took a deep breath. This was it.
Lucas was seated at his desk, calm, unreadable, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity she could not ignore.
"You've come," he said simply.
"Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Good," he said, sliding the contract toward her. "This is the agreement. Two years. You know the rules. Once signed, it is legally binding."
Serena's hands trembled as she picked up the pen. Every rule echoed in her mind, every consequence looming. Her family's future depended on this.
After Serena signed the contract, Lucas stood silently for a moment, his eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Now that this is official," he said, sliding the folder aside, "we need to make it legally binding. You and I need a marriage certificate."
"Marriage certificate? "