The Blackwood Empire tower pierced the sky like a blade.
I stood across the street, staring up at seventy floors of obsidian glass. This building alone was worth more than everything Ethan would ever own.
My phone buzzed again. Ethan. Vivian. My father. I turned it off and dropped it in my purse.
The lobby screamed wealth. Black marble floors, a waterfall wall, security guards in custom suits.
"Can I help you, miss?" The receptionist's smile was professional but cold, cataloging my simple dress and flats as someone who didn't belong.
"I'm here to see Adrian Blackwood. Tell him Sophia Hart needs to speak with him about Ethan Cole."
Her eyebrows rose. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Then I'm afraid.."
"Tell him it's about Cole Industries' merger with Titanium Tech. If he doesn't see me in five minutes, that merger goes through and he loses the patent he's been hunting for two years."
A gamble. But in my past life, I'd overheard Ethan bragging about stealing that merger from Blackwood.
The receptionist's mask cracked. She picked up her phone, spoke in hushed tones, then turned back with new wariness.
"Mr. Blackwood will see you now. Seventieth floor."
Victory tasted sweet.
The elevator ride was silent except for classical music. My reflection stared back younger than I remembered, but harder somehow. The naive girl who'd believed in fairy tales had died on a restaurant floor.
The woman reborn knew better.
The doors opened to a space more luxury apartment than office. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city. And standing beside a massive desk was a man who made my breath catch.
Adrian Blackwood was devastating in person. Six-three, perfectly tailored charcoal suit, dark hair. But his eyes trapped me storm-gray and currently fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
"Miss Hart." His voice was deep, controlled. "This is unexpected."
"Mr. Blackwood. Thank you for seeing me."
"You mentioned Ethan Cole and a merger I supposedly care about."
"The Titanium Tech merger. Cole Industries plans to finalize it Friday, giving them exclusive rights to the TT-7 patent."
Adrian's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on his desk. "Go on."
"You've been trying to acquire that patent. Ethan's been sabotaging your negotiations for six months, using illegally obtained capital."
"That's a serious accusation."
"It's the truth. Ethan Cole is using embezzled funds from his wife's inheritance. Funds from the Hart family trust, drained through falsified documents."
Adrian moved, circling his desk with predatory grace. He stopped close enough that I could smell expensive cologne.
"And how would you know this?"
Because I lived through it. Because I watched him steal everything while I smiled like a fool. Because I died knowing exactly how he'd done it.
"Because I'm his fiancée," I said instead. "And I've been paying attention."
The room's temperature dropped. Adrian's eyes narrowed. "You're Sophia Hart. Ethan Cole's fiancée. The wedding is next Saturday."
"Was supposed to be. I'm canceling it."
"Why?"
The simple question held layers. Why cancel? Why come here? Why betray the man I supposedly loved?
"Because he's a liar and a thief. Because he's been stealing from my family for years, planning to take everything and disappear. Because he never loved me he only wanted what I could give him." My voice came out harder than intended. "And because I refuse to be used anymore."
Adrian studied me. I forced myself to hold his gaze.
"You still haven't explained why you're here or what you want from me."
This was it. The gamble that would either save me or destroy me.
"I want to make you a deal, Mr. Blackwood. I'll give you everything you need to destroy Ethan Cole's company. Every illegal transaction, every falsified document, every secret account. I'll testify if necessary. I'll hand you his empire on a silver platter."
"In exchange for?"
"In exchange, you marry me."
Silence. Complete silence.
Adrian didn't move. "Marry you."
"Yes."
"You want me to marry you."
"A contract marriage. Purely business. We can draw up whatever terms you want. Six months, a year, whatever timeline suits you. But I need the protection of your name and resources, and you need what I can give you about Ethan."
"And why would you need my protection?"
Because in my past life, Ethan destroyed me after I tried to leave. Ruined my reputation, stolen everything, and finally killed me.
"Because when I cancel this wedding and expose what Ethan's been doing, he'll retaliate. He'll try to ruin me. But if I'm married to you..if I have the Blackwood name behind me he can't touch me."
"You're afraid of him."
"I'm realistic about him. Ethan doesn't lose gracefully. And he doesn't let go of things he considers his property." I paused. "Which is what I am to him. A means to an end."
Adrian moved closer, close enough that I had to tilt my head back. "This is insane. You realize that."
"Yes."
"We don't know each other."
"No."
"And yet you're asking me to marry you based on what? A business transaction?"
"Yes. Isn't that how your world works, Mr. Blackwood? Everything is a transaction. I'm offering you something you want Ethan Cole's destruction in exchange for something I need. Simple economics."
"Nothing about this is simple."
"Maybe not. But it's mutually beneficial. You understand contracts and negotiations. This would be no different than any business merger, except the assets are more personal."
Adrian laughed sharp, humorless. "A bit more personal. That's one way to put it."
He turned to the windows, his reflection dark and imposing. "You're either very brave or very desperate. I haven't decided which."
"Can't I be both?"
He glanced over his shoulder. "Why me specifically? There are other powerful men in this city."
Because in my past life, I'd watched you from across rooms and seen how you looked at me. Because even then, some part of me recognized something in you.
"Because you're Ethan's biggest enemy. Because marrying you would hurt him more than anything else. Because your reputation alone would shield me from most retaliation. And because I've seen how you conduct business. You're ruthless, but you're fair. You don't break your word."
"You've been researching me."
"I told you. I've been paying attention."
He studied me in silence, weighing risks and benefits.
Finally: "If I agreed to this and that's a very large if..I would have conditions."
My heart skipped. Not a no. "Name them."
"First, complete transparency. You tell me everything about Cole Industries' operations. Every account, every illegal deal."
"Done."
"Second, this stays between us. To the outside world, this has to appear to be a real marriage."
"Agreed."
"Third, you live in my house. We maintain the appearance of a genuine relationship in public. Separate bedrooms if you prefer, but we have to be convincing."
"Fine."
"And fourth.." Adrian moved closer, something almost predatory in his approach. "If we do this, you're mine. Publicly, completely, no ambiguity. That means no contact with Ethan Cole. No secret meetings, no private conversations. You cut him out entirely. Can you do that?"
The possessiveness should have bothered me. But unlike Ethan's suffocating control, Adrian's felt protective.
"Yes. I can do that. Gladly."
Adrian nodded slowly. "Then I have one more question."
"What?"
He stepped even closer. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me everything, Sophia Hart?"
My breath caught. Could he somehow see through me to the truth that I'd lived three years of the future, that I'd died and been given a second chance?
"Everyone has secrets, Mr. Blackwood. I'm sure you have yours."
"I do. But my secrets won't destroy you. Can you say the same?"
Could I? If he knew the truth, would he think me insane?
"My secrets are my own. But they won't hurt you or interfere with our arrangement. That's all you need to know."
Adrian held my gaze, then slowly, deliberately, extended his hand.
"Alright, Sophia Hart. You have yourself a deal."
I stared at his hand strong, elegant and realized I was standing on a precipice. Once I took it, there would be no going back.
But going back meant walking toward the future I'd already lived. Meant marrying Ethan, dying on that restaurant floor.
The choice was easy.
I placed my hand in his.
His fingers closed around mine, warm and strong. A jolt ran through me at the contact. Adrian's eyes darkened, and I wondered if he felt it too.
"We'll need to move fast," Adrian said, not letting go. "If you're serious about canceling your wedding, we need to make our relationship public before Ethan can retaliate."
"How fast?"
"How fast can you pack?"
I blinked. "What?"
"You're moving in today. We announce our engagement by tomorrow morning. That gives us six days before your original wedding date enough time to make it clear you're done with Ethan Cole and committed to me."
"That's extremely fast."
"You said Ethan would retaliate. Speed is our best weapon. We hit hard and fast before he can mount a defense."
Trust him. I barely knew him. Yet somehow, I did.
"Okay. I'll pack today."
"Good." Adrian walked to his desk, pressed a button. "Lucas, come in here."
A moment later, a man walked in Adrian's opposite. Brown hair, warm hazel eyes, easy smile. He looked between us with undisguised curiosity.
"Lucas Grant, my COO and best friend. Lucas, this is Sophia Hart. My fiancée."
Lucas's eyes went wide. "Your what?"
"We're getting married. Soon. I need you to prepare a press release for tomorrow morning. Also, have legal draw up a marriage contract iron-clad, with provisions for.." He glanced at me. "How long?"
My mind raced. "One year. With an option to extend or end by mutual agreement."
"One year minimum. With all protections and NDAs. I want it ready to sign tonight."
Lucas looked like he wanted to ask a thousand questions but just nodded. "Anything else?"
"Yes. Find out everything about Ethan Cole's merger with Titanium Tech. Every detail. I want to know exactly how he plans to steal that patent."
"On it." Lucas's gaze slid to me, speculative. "Welcome to the family, Sophia."
He left, and suddenly the room felt intimate. I was alone with Adrian Blackwood, and the weight of what I'd agreed to was sinking in.
"Having second thoughts?" Adrian asked.
"No. No second thoughts. I know what I'm doing."
"Do you? Because once we announce this, once you move into my house and take my name, there's no going back. Ethan will never take you back. Your family will likely disown you. You'll be burning every bridge."
"Good. Those bridges were built on lies anyway. I'm ready to burn them all."
Adrian searched my face, then reached into his desk and wrote something on a business card. "My personal number and address. Send me yours. A car will pick you up at six tonight."
I took the card, our fingers brushing. That same electric jolt.
"What do I tell people? My father, friends what do I say?"
"Tell them the truth. Tell them you fell in love with someone else. Tell them you realized Ethan wasn't who you thought. Tell them whatever you need. Just make sure they believe it."
"And Ethan?"
"Leave Ethan to me." Something dark flickered across Adrian's face. "After tonight, you'll never have to deal with him again. I promise."
The way he said it sent a thrill through me. This was a man who kept his promises.
"Thank you. For agreeing to this. For helping me."
"Don't thank me yet. You might end up regretting this arrangement."
"I doubt it."
"We'll see." He held my gaze. "Six o'clock. Don't be late. I hate waiting."
"I won't be."
I walked out, past Lucas who was openly staring, back to the elevator. It wasn't until the doors closed that I let myself breathe.
I'd done it. Actually done it.
I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Ethan:
We need to talk. Come to my apartment at 4 PM. Come alone.
His response came within seconds:
"Thank God". I've been worried sick. Of course, baby. I'll be there. I love you.
I stared at those three words..I love you…and felt absolutely nothing.
Just a few more hours. Then I would look Ethan Cole in the eye and tell him exactly what I thought of his love.
And then I would walk away and never look back.
END OF CHAPTER 2….