Chapter 1 — The Contract
Rain poured like the sky was angry.
Lina stood outside the hospital entrance, her hands shaking as she stared at the unpaid bill on her phone screen.
$120,000.
Her mother needed surgery within the week.
And Lina had nothing.
No savings. No relatives willing to help. No miracle waiting around the corner.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
She hesitated before answering.
"Miss Lina Hart?" The male voice on the other end was calm. Controlled. Dangerous.
"Yes…?"
"My employer would like to make you an offer."
She almost laughed. "I'm not interested in scams."
"It is not a scam. It concerns your financial situation."
Her heart skipped.
"How do you know about that?"
A short pause.
"We know everything we need to."
That should have scared her.
It did.
But desperation was louder than fear.
"What kind of offer?"
"You will receive one hundred and fifty thousand dollars tonight."
Her breath caught.
"In exchange?" she whispered.
"You will sign a marriage contract."
Silence swallowed the rain.
"I'm sorry… what?"
"You will legally marry Mr. Adrian Vale."
The name made her stomach drop.
Everyone in the city knew Adrian Vale.
Young. Ruthless. Billionaire. Untouchable.
"I've never even met him."
"You don't need to."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we wish your mother the best."
The call ended.
Lina stood frozen under the rain, heart pounding so hard it hurt.
Marriage?
To a stranger?
To a man known for crushing businesses without blinking?
This was insane.
But so was losing her mother.
Thirty minutes later, a black car stopped in front of her.
The window rolled down slowly.
And for the first time, she saw him.
Sharp jaw. Cold eyes. Perfect suit.
He didn't look at her like a person.
He looked at her like a decision already made.
"Get in," Adrian Vale said calmly.
Lina swallowed.
"If I agree… what exactly do you want from me?"
His lips curved slightly — not a smile. Something colder.
"A wife in name only."
Her heart thudded.
"And if I fall in love?"
His eyes darkened.
"You won't."
The car door opened.
The rain kept falling.
And Lina had just ten seconds to decide the rest of her life.