Blackwood Tower rose like a glass giant against the evening sky.

Talia stood across the street, staring up at the building with a nervous knot twisting in her stomach. Everything about the place screamed money, power, and people who didn't belong to her world.

She adjusted the straps of her worn handbag on her shoulder.

What am I doing here?

Moments ago, she had been a struggling student worrying about hospital bills. Now, she was about to meet one of the most powerful men in the city... to discuss marrying him.

The thought still felt unreal.

She crossed the road slowly and stepped into the massive lobby.

Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. A front desk that looked more expensive than her entire apartment.

A sharply dressed receptionist looked up at her.

"Good evening. How may I help you?"

"I... um... I have an appointment," Talia said carefully. "With Mr. Blackwood."

The receptionist studied her for a brief second, then typed something into her computer.

"Name?"

"Talia Morgan."

The woman's expression changed immediately.

"Yes. You're expected."

Expected.

Her heart skipped.

"You can take the private elevator on the right. It will take you directly to the top floor."

Talia nodded, murmuring a thank you before walking toward the elevator with shaky legs.

The doors slid open silently.

Inside, there were no buttons. Just a sleek touch panel glowing softly.

Before she could touch anything, the doors closed on their own.

The elevator began to rise.

Fast.

Her stomach flipped as the numbers climbed higher and higher.

Penthouse level.

The doors opened to reveal a quiet hallway covered in plush carpet and dim golden lighting. Everything felt intimidatingly elegant.

At the far end stood a tall man in a black suit.

He wasn't looking at her. He was focused on his phone.

But even from a distance, Talia felt it.

His presence.

Powerful. Controlled. Untouchable.

She took slow steps toward him.

As she got closer, he finally looked up.

And the world seemed to pause.

Adrian Blackwood was even more striking in person.

Sharp jawline. Dark eyes. Broad shoulders. The kind of man who looked like he had never been told no in his entire life.

His gaze swept over her calmly. Assessing.

"So," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "You came."

Talia swallowed hard. "I almost didn't."

"That would have been unfortunate."

He studied her for a moment longer before gesturing toward a large door behind him.

"Come in."

He turned and walked ahead without waiting for her.

She hesitated for only a second before following.

The penthouse inside was breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows. Expensive furniture. A city view that stretched endlessly. Everything screamed luxury.

Adrian walked to a sleek glass table and placed a thick file on it.

"Sit."

Talia slowly took the chair across from him.

Up close, he was even more intimidating.

"How much do you know about this arrangement?" he asked.

"Very little," she admitted. "Someone called me and said you're offering fifty thousand dollars for a contract marriage."

"That's correct."

"And you expect me to just... agree without understanding why?"

Adrian leaned back slightly, studying her again.

"Fair enough."

He opened the file and slid a document toward her.

"This is a legally binding marriage contract. The marriage will last twelve months. During that time, you will publicly act as my wife when required."

"When required?" she repeated.

"Events. Dinners. Family functions. Media appearances."

Media?

Her pulse spiked.

"I don't want publicity."

"You won't get much. I keep my private life private. But my family needs to believe the marriage is real."

"Why?" she asked.

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

"My grandfather's will."

There it was.

He continued calmly, "He left the controlling shares of the company to me... on one condition."

Talia listened carefully.

"That I must be married before my thirtieth birthday."

"When is your birthday?"

"Four months from now."

Her eyes widened.

"So you're running out of time."

"Yes."

"And why not just... date someone? For real?"

His gaze hardened.

"Because real relationships come with expectations. Attachments. Weaknesses."

That sounded... personal.

"And you don't want that?"

"No."

The word was firm.

Talia glanced down at the document.

"What about rules?"

He didn't hesitate.

"No emotional involvement."

"No public scandals."

"No discussing the contract with anyone."

"Separate bedrooms."

"Mutual respect."

She looked up. "Separate bedrooms?"

"That's correct."

Relief flickered through her chest, though she didn't know why she had been worried.

"And after one year?"

"We divorce quietly."

Just like that.

A business transaction.

She hesitated.

"And the money?"

"Fifty thousand dollars will be transferred to your account immediately after the marriage license is signed."

Her heart thudded painfully.

"That's... a lot of money."

"It's compensation for your time and cooperation."

She studied his face.

He was calm. Controlled. Like this meant nothing to him.

But to her?

This was everything.

"Why me?" she asked quietly. "You could pick anyone. Models. Socialites. Women who actually belong in your world."

Adrian's gaze didn't waver.

"Because you won't fall in love with me."

The words caught her off guard.

"Excuse me?"

"You're here because you're desperate. Because you need money, not romance. That makes you ideal."

Ouch.

The truth stung more than she expected.

He continued, "You have no interest in my lifestyle. No ambition to cling to me. And no history that could cause complications."

Talia felt strangely exposed.

He had researched her.

Every part of her.

She looked back down at the contract.

Her mother's face flashed in her mind.

The weak smile. The oxygen tube. The whispered, "I'm sorry you have to carry all this alone, baby."

Talia's hands trembled slightly as she turned the pages.

It was all there.

Clear. Legal. Cold.

Twelve months of pretending.

In exchange for a chance to save her mother's life.

She took a slow breath.

"If I say yes," she said quietly, "when does this start?"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

"Immediately."

Her chest tightened.

"This is insane."

"Perhaps."

She looked at him again.

Cold. Distant. Unreadable.

Yet somehow... there was something else beneath it.

Pain?

Loneliness?

She pushed the thought away.

This wasn't about feelings.

This was survival.

She straightened slowly.

"I have conditions too."

Adrian's eyebrow lifted slightly. "Go on."

"You won't control my life outside of public appearances."

"Agreed."

"You won't use me as a tool against anyone."

"I have no interest in doing so."

"And if I feel unsafe at any point... the contract ends."

He studied her carefully, then nodded.

"Reasonable."

Silence filled the room.

This was the moment.

If she walked away now, nothing would change. Her mother would still be dying. The bills would still be impossible.

If she stayed...

Her life would never be the same.

She picked up the pen slowly.

Adrian watched her without expression.

Her hand hovered over the signature line.

And then...

She signed.

The pen felt heavier than it should.

When she finished, she slid the paper toward him.

Adrian looked down at her signature, then added his own.

Just like that, it was done.

He closed the file calmly.

"You'll move in tomorrow," he said.

"Tomorrow?" she echoed.

"Yes."

"I need to arrange things-"

"My assistant will handle everything."

Of course he would.

He stood, signaling the meeting was over.

Talia rose slowly too.

Her heart was still racing.

"So that's it?" she asked. "I just... go home and pretend I didn't just agree to marry a stranger?"

"For tonight, yes."

He walked her toward the door.

When they reached the entrance, he stopped.

"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "you made a logical decision."

She looked up at him.

"And you're sure this won't... get complicated?"

For the first time, something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

"It won't," he said firmly.

Talia nodded slowly.

Then she walked away.

She didn't see the way Adrian watched her leave.

Or the way his jaw tightened slightly, as if something inside him had already begun to shift.

Talia barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the contract.

Her signature.

Her future.

By morning, her phone rang.

"Miss Morgan," a polite female voice said. "This is Eliza, Mr. Blackwood's personal assistant. A car will arrive in thirty minutes to take you to your new residence."

New residence.

The words felt unreal.

"O-Okay," Talia replied quietly.

"Please pack only essentials. Everything else will be handled."

The call ended before she could protest.

She stared around her tiny apartment-the peeling paint, the secondhand couch, the textbooks stacked on the floor. This place had been her struggle, her survival.

And now... she was leaving it all behind.

The car that arrived wasn't just a car.

It was a sleek black luxury vehicle with tinted windows and a driver in a suit.

Talia stepped inside nervously.

As they pulled away, she watched her neighborhood disappear through the window. The noisy streets. The food vendors. The familiar chaos.

Her world.

An hour later, the gates opened.

And she froze.

The mansion before her looked like something out of a movie.

Tall white pillars. A long driveway. Perfect gardens. A massive fountain in the center.

She stepped out slowly.

This wasn't just rich.

This was untouchable wealth.

A tall woman in a neat uniform approached her immediately.

"Welcome, Mrs. Blackwood."

The words hit like thunder.

Mrs. Blackwood.

"I'm Grace," the woman continued warmly. "Head of household staff. We've been instructed to attend to all your needs."

All your needs.

Talia forced a small smile. "Thank you."

Grace led her inside.

The interior was even more breathtaking. Marble floors. High ceilings. Chandeliers. Artworks that probably cost more than her entire life savings.

"This will be your room," Grace said, opening a large door.

Room?

It was bigger than Talia's entire apartment.

King-sized bed. Walk-in closet. Private balcony. A bathroom that looked like a spa.

"This... this is too much," Talia whispered.

"It's yours," Grace said gently. "Anything you need, you only have to ask."

Talia nodded slowly, still overwhelmed.

"Mr. Blackwood asked that you join him for dinner tonight," Grace added.

Her heart skipped.

Dinner with him.

Alone.

That evening, she stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself.

Grace had provided dresses. Expensive ones.

Talia chose a simple soft-blue dress that made her look more confident than she felt.

When she entered the dining room, Adrian was already there.

Seated. Calm. Perfectly dressed.

His gaze lifted when she walked in.

And for a brief second...

He stared.

Not cold.

Not distant.

Just silent.

Then his expression returned to neutral.

"You're on time," he said.

"Your staff is very efficient."

"Yes."

She took the seat across from him.

Dinner was quiet. Too quiet.

Talia pushed food around her plate nervously.

"So..." she finally said. "How does this work in public?"

He looked at her calmly. "What do you mean?"

"The marriage. The pretending."

"You'll be introduced as my wife at an event this weekend."

Her fork paused.

"Event?"

"A family dinner."

Family.

Her stomach tightened.

"They're expecting me to be... perfect, aren't they?"

"They're expecting you to be my wife."

That wasn't reassuring.

She hesitated. "And if they don't like me?"

Adrian's voice was firm. "That won't matter."

But something in his eyes suggested it did.

Later that night, Talia stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the city lights.

This life didn't feel real.

She hugged her arms around herself.

What if she messed this up?

What if she embarrassed him?

What if she started feeling things she wasn't supposed to feel?

Her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

Stay away from Adrian Blackwood.

You don't belong in his world.

Her breath caught.

Another message followed immediately.

You're just temporary. Don't forget that.

Talia's hands trembled.

Who was sending these?

She stared at the screen, heart pounding.

Inside the house, somewhere down the hall, Adrian Blackwood stood quietly in his office, unaware that his past had already found its way to her.

And the contract marriage had only just begun.

The dining hall looked like something out of royalty.

A long polished table. Crystal glasses. Golden chandeliers. Perfectly arranged plates.

And too many eyes.

Talia sat beside Adrian, her hands folded tightly on her lap. Around them sat people who clearly belonged to his world - elegant men, glamorous women, sharp smiles hiding sharper judgments.

She could feel it.

They were assessing her.

"Adrian, darling!" a woman with perfectly styled blonde hair said brightly. "You never told us your wife was so... young."

Wife.

The word still felt heavy.

"This is my aunt, Victoria," Adrian said calmly.

Victoria's smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Victoria Blackwood."

"Talia," she replied politely. "Nice to meet you."

Victoria's gaze swept over her dress, her posture, her face - as though searching for flaws.

"And what exactly do you do, dear?" Victoria asked.

Talia opened her mouth to answer, but another woman cut in.

"She's probably just enjoying Adrian's money," a voice said lightly.

Soft laughter spread around the table.

Talia's chest tightened.

Adrian's expression didn't change - but his jaw did.

The woman who had spoken leaned back confidently. She was stunning. Too stunning. Dark hair. Sharp eyes. Dangerous smile.

"And you are?" Talia asked calmly.

The woman tilted her head slightly. "Serena Vale."

The name landed like thunder.

The jealous ex.

Serena's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Adrian and I were together for three years," she added sweetly. "Practically inseparable."

Silence followed.

Everyone watched Talia now.

Waiting to see her reaction.

Her heart pounded, but she kept her face calm.

"That must have been a long time ago," Talia said evenly.

Serena's smile faltered for a split second.

"Not really," she replied smoothly. "Some things are hard to let go of."

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Victoria cleared her throat. "Well, we're just happy Adrian finally settled down."

Settled down.

Talia forced a small smile.

Dinner continued, but every question felt like a test.

Where did you grow up?

What does your family do?

Do you even understand Blackwood traditions?

It felt less like dinner and more like interrogation.

Then Serena leaned closer.

"So tell me," she said softly. "Do you love him?"

The table went still.

Every eye turned to Talia.

Love.

That word.

Her pulse thundered.

She glanced at Adrian briefly. His face was calm, unreadable. But his eyes were fixed on her.

Waiting.

Talia inhaled slowly.

Then she smiled.

"I respect him," she said calmly. "And I'm grateful to be his wife."

A safe answer.

Neutral.

The room relaxed slightly.

But Serena didn't look satisfied.

She leaned back, studying Talia like prey.

"This marriage won't last," she said quietly, just loud enough. "Adrian doesn't stay with anyone forever."

Something inside Talia twisted.

Before she could respond, Adrian finally spoke.

"That's enough, Serena."

His voice was calm, but cold enough to freeze the room.

Serena blinked, surprised.

"I don't recall inviting you to comment on my marriage."

Silence.

Everyone froze.

Serena's confident smile slowly faded.

"I was only being honest," she said.

"I don't need your honesty," Adrian replied flatly. "I need your respect."

Talia's heart skipped.

He was defending her.

The rest of the table sat stunned.

Victoria quickly changed the subject, but the atmosphere had shifted.

When dinner finally ended, Talia excused herself and stepped into the hallway, her heart still racing.

She let out a shaky breath.

She had survived.

Or so she thought.

"Not bad," a voice said behind her.

She turned.

Serena stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

"You held your own," Serena admitted. "Most girls would have broken."

"I'm not most girls," Talia replied calmly.

Serena studied her for a long moment.

Then she smiled again - slow, dangerous.

"You think this is a real marriage?" she asked quietly.

Talia didn't answer.

"You're a contract," Serena continued softly. "A temporary solution to his problems. When he's done using you, he'll throw you away."

The words struck deeper than Talia wanted to admit.

Serena stepped closer.

"And when that happens," she whispered, "I'll still be here."

Talia's chest tightened.

Before she could respond, footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Adrian appeared.

Serena instantly stepped back, her expression innocent.

"We were just talking," she said sweetly.

Adrian's eyes flicked between them.

His gaze lingered briefly on Talia.

"Leave," he said to Serena.

The single word held absolute authority.

Serena hesitated, then smiled tightly and walked away.

Silence filled the hallway.

Talia looked at Adrian.

"You didn't have to defend me," she said quietly.

"Yes, I did."

"Why?"

He studied her for a moment, then answered simply.

"Because you're my wife."

The words sent an unexpected shiver through her.

Not the contract.

Not the agreement.

Not the arrangement.

My wife.

And for the first time since signing the contract, Talia felt something dangerously unfamiliar in her chest.

Something that felt a lot like the beginning of trouble.