{Naomi POV}

"You heard me," he replied. "You want to stay out of jail? Then sign it. Be my wife. That's the only way you'll work off one hundred million under my control. Otherwise-" he stood tall again-"the police are a phone call away."

I stared at the paper, my tears soaking into the corners of my lips.

MARRIAGE CONTRACT AGREEMENT TO ENZO VITALE

I felt a rush of nausea rise in my throat as I slowly looked away from the paper and met his eyes. The coldness in his gaze was enough to freeze me solid, talk less of staying under the same roof with him.

I tried to imagine the horror, but my brain refused. I shook my head quickly. "No, please. I can't."

He turned from me and walked over to his chair, sitting down like a king about to give judgment to a criminal. "Then you'll go to jail," he said flatly. "I'll make sure of that."

My head ached so badly I thought it would split in two. I didn't know what to do. My heart screamed for help, but no one was coming. I suddenly wished Chloe was here... no. It was better she wasn't. If she was, this whole thing could have been worse.

I bit down hard on my lower lip and looked at the paper lying beside me on the cold floor. My eyes scanned the page, and I paused when I saw a line written in bold.

FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF A WIFE

"Full responsibility of a wife?" I whispered to myself, lifting my gaze slowly.

The moment our eyes met, a chill ran through my spine. Enzo's stare was so intense, so sharp, it felt like it could slice right through my skin.

I had never met anyone whose presence could suck the air out of a room. His face was unreadable, not a flicker of warmth, not even a hint of mercy.

"What... what does that mean?" I asked, my voice shaky. "Full responsibility... what does that mean?"

He leaned forward, his eyes still locked on mine. "You don't know what it means?" he asked, his voice laced with mockery. "Do you want me to explain it to you?"

He didn't wait for my answer. Instead, he picked up his phone from the desk, lifting it slowly as his finger hovered over the screen.

"You know what? Forget it. You're going to jail."

"No!" I shouted quickly, my voice cracking. I pushed myself up from the floor, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "I agree! I'll do it-I'll be your wife."

He paused, lowering the phone with the same cold expression.

One of the men in black handed me a pen. My hand trembled as I took it, my fingers damp with sweat. My legs barely held me up as I walked to his desk, leaning on the surface for support.

My eyes stared blankly at the contract. My vision blurred, not just from the tears, but from fear. I had never imagined this... never imagined my life turning this way. But I had no choice.

I scribbled my name at the bottom, right next to his, and the moment I lifted the pen, I felt something inside me break.

My hands dropped to my sides. My whole body went cold. I was now the wife of Enzo Vitale.

Feeling helpless, I backed away slowly from the desk, the pen still clutched in my fingers. I tried not to fall apart again, but the tears came rushing back, blurring everything once more.

I had no idea what kind of world I had just walked into.

My eyes landed on a line I hadn't noticed before, my name written in bold next to another chilling sentence.

"Naomi Ray is to be the legal wife of Enzo Vitale until Enzo no longer wants her. She is to fulfill all marital duties, including his sexual desires."

I gasped quietly.

My chest tightened, and the room began to spin. I couldn't breathe. My hands shook as I pressed them against the desk, trying to steady myself.

Sexual desires?

I stared at the words again, horrified. What would it be like to lie next to a man so heartless? So cold? My stomach twisted at the thought.

Enzo took the paper off the table and looked at it before handing it to one of the men in the room. He stood up from the chair and walked past me, signaling for one of the men to step forward.

"Take her to one of the rooms," he ordered his men, his voice low but firm. "And tell the maids to get her ready for the evening party."

With that, he walked away. I stood there for a while, lost in my thoughts and regret. Why didn't I listen to Chloe? What have I gotten myself into?

"Miss Ray, please follow me to your room," a manly voice broke into my thoughts. I sniffled and wiped my tears, trying to steady my racing heart as I followed the man.

We made our way out of the study, with the man leading the way. I wrapped my arms over my chest, following him obediently. We stopped at a door with a knob similar to the one in the study. The man pushed it open, revealing a lavish bedroom.

The room looked like something out of a palace, soft cream walls with gold accents, velvet drapes that touched the floor, and a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A king-size bed sat in the middle, with carved wooden posts and royal blue sheets that looked untouched. A gold-trimmed vanity stood in one corner, and across from the bed, mounted on the wall, was a black security camera blinking faintly. Another one sat at the top corner near the entrance door, silently watching.

"This is your room. The maid will be at your service soon," the man said in a stern voice.

I stepped into the room, my eyes locking on the camera near the bed before turning to the man, who was already starting to leave. "Why is there a security camera in the room?" I asked, my voice soft but uneasy.

The man looked at it briefly, then looked back at me. "If you have any questions, I'll suggest you ask Enzo." With that, he walked away.

I stood there for a while, staring at the room, wondering why everything felt like it had already been set up, like it was all waiting for my arrival.

{Enzo POV}

The hushed sound of guests in the hall echoed through the place, followed by the soft clicking of glasses as I climbed down the stairs.

Their gazes fell in my direction. I knew exactly what they were all expecting. Ever since my father's death, all they've done is whisper about his will. Their curiosity about who between my stepbrother and I would get married first had become their topmost priority. Tonight, I've decided to silence their whispers.

"Mr. Vitale, what a pleasant surprise to have you show yourself to us," an elderly man in a grey suit stepped forward, his fake smile stretched too wide. "You must have something in store for us."

"Don't get your hopes high, Mr. Benard. I hate too many compliments," I muttered and walked past him.

Fake compliments. I knew them very well these days. Ever since the night my father was assassinated right in front of my eyes, nothing felt real anymore. I still couldn't clear my head of the image of the masked figure, the gloves, and the cold silence after the trigger was pulled. I'd figure out who it was. Sooner or later.

I glanced at the watch strapped to my wrist, then looked toward the staircase again. Naomi still hadn't come down. How long does it take for a woman to dress up? Or did she somehow manage to slip past my security and escape?

The corner of my lips curled at the thought. If she did... oh, the things I would do to her.

"What makes you decide to host a meeting and show your face, Enzo?" a deep voice came from behind me.

I didn't need to turn. I already knew who it was my stepbrother-Brian.

"You've always been behind the shadows, dreading the fact that I'll be the one to get the inheritance before you," he continued. He clicked his tongue and walked ahead, standing slightly in front of me now. "You're as cold as ice and scare any woman that comes near you. How will you get a woman now?"

He smirked, flashing those fake-perfect teeth. "You see, Becca and I will get married soon."

I stared at him, cold and still. The kind of stare that made most people stumble or look away. But Brian wasn't like most people. He always had the nerve to meet my eyes and smile through it.

I stepped closer, my voice low. "I'm not here to play, Brian. And as for who gets the inheritance, we both know it's not just about marriage. Whoever is behind our father's death... I'll find them. And when I do-" I paused, looking up at the stairs again. Still no sign of Naomi. My jaw clenched. "-they'll regret ever thinking I'd sit back and do nothing."

Brian's smirk wavered slightly. He noticed the flicker of irritation in my eyes as I looked up once more. "Who are you waiting for?" he asked, his voice more cautious now.

I turned to him, a hint of danger creeping into my smile. "Don't be in a haste to eat hot pottage, stepbrother. You might just end up burning your mouth."

Brian's face twisted. "You're just like him," he snapped. "Heartless, cold and wicked. That's why the inheritance isn't fit for a man like you."

I gave a small laugh, eyes never leaving his face. But before I could respond, my gaze caught movement on the stairs. And I looked up to see Naomi.

She walked down the stairs slowly, her eyes flicking left and right like she was searching for a place to hide. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders, and the dress she wore clung to her curves in a way that made a few men in the crowd turn to whisper.

I looked back at Brian. "Let's see about that... dear stepbrother."

Without another word, I walked away and made my way toward her.

Naomi's eyes locked with mine, and she froze for half a second. Her body shivered slightly in fear. The hall shifted with murmurs and sudden interest.

"Is that Enzo Vitale with a woman?"

"Could she be his fiancée?"

"I thought Brian and Becca were supposed to marry first..."

More whispers rose around us, people trying to piece it all together.

I ignored them.

Stretching out my hand to her, I saw her hesitate. Her eyes looked at me like I was the villain in some horror movie, and she'd just walked onto the wrong set. But when her gaze met mine, she knew she didn't have a choice.

She placed her hand in mine and I leaned in, lips brushing close to her ear. "Don't you dare try to give anyone a hint that you're being forced to do this," I said, my voice quiet and sharp. "Unless you've got a hundred million to hand me after tonight."

She hesitated, her lips twitching in fear, then forced a smile as she met my eyes again.

I nodded slightly and turned with her hand still in mine. Together, we walked to the center of the hall. Every eye was on us now.

I looked at her once more, then faced the crowd. "This," I said, voice calm and steady, "is Naomi. My fiancée."

Gasps, murmurs, and even a few clinks of dropped glasses followed.

"And our wedding... will be held tomorrow."

The room fell completely silent. Even Brian's jaw went slack, and his eyes blazed with a mix of shock and rage.

After a long moment of stunned silence, I added, "That's the reason for this gathering. You're all invited to the wedding tomorrow."

More murmurs erupted, but I didn't care. I could feel Naomi's hand shaking slightly in mine. I tightened my grip, holding it firmly, just enough to remind her to keep smiling.

I looked back at the crowd. "Now, enjoy the party."

With that, I turned and walked up the stairs, Naomi still beside me, our hands intertwined like we were some perfect couple.

{Naomi POV}

Enzo's hand loosened around my wrist as we kept walking further up the stairs, but it didn't ease my nerves one bit. My skin still tingled where he'd been holding me, and not in a good way. I looked over at him, biting the inside of my cheek.

Why do I feel like this is going to be my life now? Him dragging me around in front of guests like some trophy wife, pretending this is all normal.

I shifted my hand, trying to pull it free from his grip, but the moment I moved, his fingers tightened again like steel wrapped in skin. His head snapped toward me, eyes cold and sharp. "What are you trying to do? Have you forgotten our terms and conditions so soon?"

My heart jumped. I swallowed hard, heat rushing up my neck like a steam train about to blow. "Terms and conditions?" I asked quietly, my eyes flicking around as we stepped into a quieter hallway away from all the whispers and stares. "If this is really just a marriage contract, then we don't have to hold hands when no one's watching."

He scoffed, letting go of my hand at last. But instead of moving away, he stepped in closer, and I instinctively backed up until my back hit the cool wall behind me. His eyes pinned me there, sharp enough to slice skin.

"If I hear you say marriage contract again, and someone else hears it..." His voice dropped, his jaw clenched tight. His hands balled into fists like he was holding himself back from doing something worse.

I scurried a step further from him, like a cat trying to avoid getting stepped on. "You won't have to bother about paying me," he added, his voice low and dangerous. "You'll have to watch your back."

He stared at me one more time, then turned and walked away. I stood there, catching my breath, hand pressed against my chest like it might steady my heart. I felt like I'd just run a marathon.

"Why is he so mean, harsh, and hateful?" I whispered under my breath, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Naomi?" a familiar voice called from behind me. I jumped and spun around so fast my hair whipped in my face. Chloe stood a little far from me, she was in her usual work uniform, holding a dusty fur brush in her hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, brows pulled tight.

My eyes widened. "Chloe!" I rushed toward her like she was my only lifeline. "Ssh, you don't know me, okay? If Enzo finds out we're friends, he'll figure it out."

"Figure out what?" Chloe rolled her eyes, not really picking up on my panic yet. "I thought we agreed. Once you stole the cufflinks, you weren't supposed to show your face here again. And what's with the dress?"

I sighed, looking down at the too-tight, too-fancy thing hugging me. "Chloe... I got caught." I sucked in a sharp breath. "Enzo... he knows I stole the cufflinks."

Chloe's mouth fell open. Her eyes darted side to side like she expected Enzo to appear right behind me. Without another word, she dropped the brush, grabbed my hand, and yanked me into the nearest room.

"Oh my God, Naomi," she whispered, shutting the door behind us.

Chloe's face paled like she'd seen a ghost. "What... what are you gonna do now? Naomi, this is bad. You're not serious, right?" Her voice shook, and her hand flew to her head. "I'm scared for you."

"Chloe, calm down!" I hissed, glancing toward the door before I continued. "Listen... Enzo made me sign a contract. A marriage contract."

Her brows shot up. "A marriage contract?"

"Yeah. I'm supposed to act as his wife. Play along until I can pay the debt back," I said, voice dropping low. "And the contract says... until Enzo doesn't want me anymore, I have to stay with him."

Chloe's face crumpled. "Naomi, no... This is bad." She shook her head so hard her bun nearly fell apart. "This is really bad. Enzo isn't the kind of man any lady should be close to. What if he... I don't know, kills you? Or does something terrible?"

I let out a weak laugh, raising my hands in surrender. "Chloe, you worry too much." I smiled, even though my stomach felt like it was full of bricks. "I'll be fine."

Chloe grabbed my arm. "Naomi, this isn't a joke."

"I know." My voice softened. "But... while I'm stuck with him, I need a favor."

Her eyes narrowed. "What favor?"

"Can you... keep an eye on my mom?" I asked, my throat tight. "She's still in the hospital. I just... I need someone to look out for her while I figure all this out."

Chloe groaned like I'd just asked her to carry a bag of rocks. "Naomi... You know your mom is the worst patient to look after. She's always shouting and throwing things."

"Please, Chloe..." I grabbed her hand, giving her my best sad eyes. "Just until Enzo lets me go. It won't be forever."

She let out a loud sigh and shook her head. "Fine. But if she says any hurtful words to me, I'm leaving."

I laughed softly. "Deal."

With that, I gave her hand one last squeeze and stepped out of the room, glancing left and right down the hallway. The coast was clear. I turned toward the nearest corner but nearly bumped into someone.

I blinked my heart caught for a while, I thought it was Enzo but when I looked at the guy before me I realized he wasn't. The guy was younger and he looked like he belonged here, good build, sharp eyes that flicked over me from head to toe like I was some puzzle he couldn't figure out.

"Who are you?" he asked, voice calm but firm.

I stood straighter. "I'm... Naomi Ray, Enzo's fiancée."

His brow lifted slightly, like he already knew but didn't like hearing it out loud. "I know that part," he said coolly. "What I'm asking is... what are you doing in the Vitale mansion?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off, eyes sharper now. "What do you even see in Enzo that made you decided to marry him? You should leave before you get yourself into a bigger mess."

My stomach dropped. I didn't even know what to say. But before I could form a word, a familiar chill filled the air behind me.