“Katty… you know I love you.”

His voice trembled, raw and desperate.

Katherine stared at the marble floor of the Florence planetarium, her fingers digging painfully into the fabric of her trousers.

If she looked at him, if she saw his eyes.... she would break.

How could she tell him the truth?

That her father had found out.

That threats had been made and staying with him would do him more harm than good?

“I know,” she said instead, her voice flat. “You don’t need to keep saying it.”

The breeze drifted through the vast hall, stirring her hair. Butterflies fluttered lazily above them.

When she thought her heart was frozen solid, his arms suddenly wrapped around her, making her resolve crumble.

The scent of cedarwood surrounded her and she wished to lean into this warm, familiar feeling of safety.

“This isn’t you,” he whispered against her hair. “Someone’s forcing you, aren’t they? Just tell me and I’ll—”

“Enough!” she yelled, shrugging his hand off.

He stumbled back, shock etched across his face.

Tears slid down his cheeks, soaking into the worn shirt she had bought him. Her gaze trembled for a second as they fell on the faded jeans and scuffed shoes which she bought for him.

But she hardened instantly.

“Your love won’t change anything,” she said coldly. “I came here as a courtesy. Tomorrow is our convocation, and I don’t want this dragging me down.”

His shoulders fell weakly.

“We come from different worlds,” she continued, cruelty dripping from every word. “I was foolish to think we would work out. I deserve better.”

Something dark flickered in his eyes.

“And you,” she whispered, voice shaking despite herself, “are not it, Damien.”

She turned away.

“I won’t be with a beggar like you.”

*******

Ten years later

“…panic attack. She should be waking up anytime now, sir.”

Katherine gasped awake, the light burning her eyes as pain throbbed through her skull.

Not willing to wait further, she pushed herself upright, her heart racing.

“W-where am I?”

“Are you alright, miss—”

“She’s fine.”

His voice cut through the room like a blade, and her blood turned to ice.

“Leave.”

The room emptied instantly and she turned turned slowly to see her past staring back at her.

Damien Sullivan.

For the last ten years, she imagined how this moment would go when she met him again; it would be filled teary apologies and explanations and ultimately forgiveness.

But as she met his gaze, he looked nothing like the boy she loved years ago.

His broad shoulders strained beneath a perfectly tailored black suit. His face sharper, his eyes colder, and something about his presence pressed down on her chest like a weight.

Cedarwood still clung to him, but now it made her chest feel stuffy.

As the room emptied, he stepped closer, his polished shoes clicking against the floor.

“Katherine Anderson,” he said smoothly. “To what do I owe this reunion?”

Her legs trembled as she stood.

“I need to see the CEO of Turner Development,” she said, steadying herself. “It’s urgent.”

A flicker crossed his eyes at her statement, but it went too fast.

“You’re staff here, aren’t you?” she pressed. “Just take me to him. I’ll explain everything later.”

Damien said nothing, then the door opened.

“Mr. D,” a man said respectfully. “The demolition team is ready.”

Katherine’s blood ran cold, her eyes widening as his filled with a cruel glint.

He is... Mr. D?

Damien turned toward the window. “Proceed.”

Her breath shattered.

“But sir,” the man hesitated. “The owners are still inside.”

“Remove them.”

“Remove them?” Katherine rushed toward him. “They’ve been waiting all day just to speak to you!”

“They’re irrelevant.”

She looked through the floor to ceiling glass to see security drag the elderly couple away as their cries echoed through the site.

She grabbed Damien’s wrist. “Listen to me!”

He looked down at her hand, amused.

“You’re here to beg,” he said softly. “And I don’t entertain beggars.”

The wrecking ball slammed into stone and her heart broke with the sound.

“What will it take,” she demanded, fury replacing fear, “to leave my father’s museum alone?”

Damien laughed quietly.

“And what do you have to offer me, Katty?”

She stiffened at the nickname. “That is not—”.

He stepped closer, his fingers lifted her chin with a tight grip.

“Marry me.”

The words were soft but cruel and her palm connected with his face before she could stop herself.

“I would rather die.” she spat.

Damien didn’t flinch.

“Choice is a luxury,” he replied coolly. “You don’t have.”

“Like you have a choice?”

He walked away, lifting a glass of whiskey as if bored.

“You’re broke,” he said lazily. “And I paid far more than that building was worth.”

He glanced at his watch.

“You have until Friday noon to give me one hundred and fifty million.”

Her breath caught.

“Fail,” he continued calmly, “and the museum disappears.”

He turned, eyes dark and certain.

“Or,” he added, “you belong to me and all this disappears.”

Katherine lifted her chin, refusing to show fear.

“Then consider it done, Mr. Sullivan.”

His smile was slow, lethal. “I look forward to watching you try.”

“But no one will help you except me."

“Mr. Frank will see you now, miss.”

Katherine gave a tight smile to the secretary as she stood, smoothing the wrinkles on her dress.

After returning home that night, she and Tiffany exhausted every possible options to raise the money. They compiled a list of her father’s acquaintances, people who once knew, admired him or owed him favors. The following day, she set out to meet these people but everyone of them had given either given polite excuses or simply refused to help her.

She came home shattered, barely able to explain how their plans failed miserably. Then a single hope flickered to life: the diamonds.

On her convocation day ten years ago, her father gifted her a diamond bouquet, an extravagant display of wealth that made headlines. Though he wanted her to keep it on display, she insisted on storing it in his treasury. This decision proved to be wise when his business collapsed then his health declined. Over the years, she sold off most of the diamonds to over the years to cover his treatment expenses, then his funeral.

But a few remained, thus they were all she had left.

As she stepped into the office, she held a desperate hope that those last few diamonds would enough. Enough to get the money, enough to slap the check on Damien’s stupid smug face.

“Mr. Frank, good day. I'm sorry to meet you in such a short period of time.”

The older man stood with a small nod, offering a cautious smile as he gestured her to sit.

“It's no problem Miss Katherine, I assume the matter must be quite urgent”

She placed her hands on the table, her fingers drumming lightly on the polished surface of the table.

“I need to sell the remaining diamonds in the treasury. As soon as possible” she stated, then Mr. Frank's eyes lit with understanding.

“I need the money before noon” she didn't want to explained details, but Mr. Frank must have known the severity by the weight of her voice.

Mr. Frank exhaled, interlacing his fingers over the desk. “This is quite the situation.”

“It is also short notice. You know the withdrawal process takes time alone before the diamonds can be placed on the market. Normally a few days”

Her throat tightened. “Please sir I don't have that time.”

He studied her then nodded. “I'll see what I can do. Let's begin the withdrawal process. ”

Katherine breathed a sigh of relief, as he pulled his laptop closer and began typing away. Her gaze went to the clock behind him.

11:15 am.

Minutes passed by, then Mr. Frank's brows furrowed. His fingers hovered with uncertainty over the keyboard.

“Huh? This can't be right…” he muttered.

A chill ran down her spine. “What is that sir?”

Mr. Frank didn’t respond immediately, his fingers moving over the keyboard. Finally, he exhaled sharply.

“According to this, there are no diamonds left in your father's store.”

Her blood ran cold as her fingers stiffened against the desk. “What?”

“It appears….” He hesitated, scrolling through the screen. “The diamonds were withdrawn months ago.”

“That's impossible,” she muttered, her voice wavering. “By who?”

“Let me check with my staff.” Mr. Frank said, already reaching for the phone. Minutes later, two employees entered the room, their faces pale.

“Well?” Mr. Frank demanded.

“A-actually sir, a man had come a few months ago to withdraw the remaining diamonds” one of them stuttered. “He claimed to be her uncle, informing us she had fallen terribly sick and she needed the diamond to fund her treatment abroad.”

The words slammed into her like a physical blow. Her uncle had stolen from her.

“And you just-” she started, sucking in a large breath.

“You let someone walk in here and take my diamonds without confirming with me?” She thundered loudly, causing them to flinch.

“He brought a signed letter of attestation from you ma'am” the second worker mumbled.

Katherine stilled. “What?”

Silence reigned in the room as Mr Frank clicked away at the keyboard again. He then turned the computer screen towards him.

“It is true. The letter is in our system.”

Her eyes locked to the document. It was truly in her handwriting and signature.

Her uncle had forged the letter.

A cold hollow weight settled in her chest, Damien’s voice whispered in her mind.

“I assure you that no one will help you.”

Mr. Frank's voice was distant, muffled by the roaring in her ears. “Miss, we can file a case against your uncle, but legal proceedings will take time”

Time she didn't have.

Her gaze snapped to the clock. 11:30 am.

Katherine stood up abruptly, barely registering Mr. Frank's apologies as she walked out of the office and the building. A sharp ring cut through her haze outside.

She managed to bring out her phone from her bag and place it on her ears.

“Kat, where are you?” Tiffany's frantic voice crackled through the phone “The demolition crew are already setting up the crane”

Her fingers felt numb, as panic surged through her. She ended the call without answering, for a moment she stared at the blur cars passing by.

“How far are you willing to go to save your father’s museum?” the silent question whispered through her mind, quiet and relentless.

Then Katherine began moving, her legs carrying her faster, until she running to bus stop.

She couldn't let this happen….. she wouldn't let this happen.

She reached the stop, her chest heaving as she climbed the bus. She was barely aware of anything, other than the ticking clock in her mind. She had just thirty minutes to arrive there and meet Damien before it was too late.

The bus ride felt agonizingly slow. By the time she reached the stop close to museum, she glanced at her phone as she alighted.

11:45 am. Fifteen minutes left.

The entire area had been barricaded and a crowd gathered. As Katherine began shoving her way through, her phone rang again.

It was another call from Tiffany came and she answered it, speaking before she could.

“Tiffany I'm here! But the security is not letting people through. Please come get me.”

The call ended, and she tapped on her feet impatiently, glancing at seconds passing away. Then,finally, Tiffany appeared at the barricade, exchanging words with the security guards. They hesitated, then finally aside to allow Katherine pass.

“Girl where have you been?” Tiffany yelled over the commotion. “The crew is ready and that snotty Damien drove in-”

Katherine turned sharply to her. “Where is he?”

“Inside the museum, but…. Hey!” Katherine didn't stop to listen as she veered towards a different entrance.

11:55 am. Her mind was a countdown, her pulse pounding rapidly.

The crane roared to life she increased her speed, she needed to get to him now.

She sprinted through the corridors of the museum, but just as reached the exhibition hall she was grabbed by two hefty men.

“Let me go!” She cried desperately, struggling against them. “I just need to talk to your CEO!”

Her voice rang through the exhibition hall, then her eyes found him. Damien walked towards the main entrance, his steps slow and deliberate.

It was as if he didn't hear her voice, or he did, and didn't care.

“Damien please stop!” Katherine's scream cut through the air, thrashing wildly against the guards.

Then her voice rang out, desperation coating every word.

“Damien, I'll marry you! Please just don't do this!”

The room fell silent. The guards froze. And Damien stopped walking.

For a moment he said nothing. Then he glanced over his shoulder slowly, speaking with a maddening calm voice.

“Leave her.”

Silence pressed against Katherine's ears, thick and suffocating. The burly men who restrained her released her, and she stumbled forward, barely catching herself before hitting the floor.

Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat hammering against her ribs as she fought to steady her breath. Then a pair of polished leather shoes stood motionless before her.

She forced herself to look up, locking eyes with Damien’s stormy grey ones. Although they were unreadable and calculating, she could still register a glint of triumph in them.

A sense of victory that made her defeat even more sinking, as he knew that she had given him her last card.

His gaze dragged over her deliberately and slowly. Then, he silently walked past her.

“Follow me.”

Katherine stood to her feet hesitantly, her body frozen between relief and fear. Seconds later, sounds of clicking heels echoed rushing through the door echoed behind her.

“Don't do it!”

She spun to see Tiffany's contorted into panic and her voice desperate and pleading.

“It's not worth it Kat!”

Katherine's breath caught in her throat. She turned to see Damien who stood by the window, his hands tucked into his pockets and had a smirk on his face which made her stomach churn.

Outside, the demolition team stood ready, awaiting his orders.

“Your call.” He said smoothly, his voice calm amd controlled.

But the unspoken threat was clear: it was not over yet.

Katherine inhaled shakily, her heart twisting as she turned to Tiffany. She giving a silent plea before moving towards Damien, each step heavier than the last. They walked up the stairs, through a small corridor and into the first room which was her father's office.Or what was left of it.

The office was now bare and lifeless, the warmth it once held was gone. The bookshelves were empty, the paintings stripped from the walls. The only thing left was a large wooden desk, behind which Damien now sat, exuding absolute control.

“I have agreed to your conditions” Katherine said, her voice barely over a whisper. “Now tell them to stop.”

Damien didn't respond. The silence stretched for what seemed like eternity the room as he simply watched her, and an unsettling feeling within her.

He then leaned forward, interlocking his fingers over the desk.

“Say it again.”

Katherine's pulse skipped, and her brows furrowed. “What?”

A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, his smirk deepening as he leaned into the chair. “I want you to say it again, Katherine. No conditions, no desperation or hesitation. Just the truth.”

“How is this the truth?” Katherine snapped, narrowing her eyes. “ I already said it, and you heard me clearly.”

Damien chuckled lightly. “Whether you like it or not, it's our truth now.”

Leaning forward slightly, his voice dropped lower. “So say it again. Clearly.”

Katherine clenched her fists as she glared at Damien. Her pride screamed at her to walk away, to wipe that smirk off his face and make him regret ever thinking he could control her.

But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to save the museum.

Biting her tongue, she inhaled sharply, forcing the words past her lips.

“I will marry you, Damien Sullivan.”

A spark of satisfaction flared in his gaze, amd she wanted nothing more than wipe the look of his face.

“Good.” he murmured.

Reaching into his suit pocket, he retrieved his phone and made a brief call. Within minutes two men entered the office. One of them she recognised as the man who came interrupted her in the office at the planetarium.

“Mr. D, this is the lawyer. He has the marriage contract.”

Katherine’s breath hitched.

The lawyer stepped forward, placing a sleek black briefcase on the desk. With practiced precision, he opened it, pulling out a stack of documents.

“Miss Anderson, the contract states that this marriage will last one year, during which you will uphold the terms set by Mr. Sullivan. In exchange, the Anderson Museum will remain untouched.”

A year of being Katherine Sullivan. A year under his terms and conditions, so her museum remains untouched. Ten years ago she would have been gladdened by this news, but now it felt like a life sentence to her.

The lawyer’s voice broke through the haze.

“If you agree to this Miss Anderson, please sign here.” he extended a pen.

Katherine's fingers trembled as she reached for the pen, and her gaze moved from the paper to Damien, His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with something unreadable.

“Why isn't he signing first?” she asked lowly.

The lawyer hesitated, but Damien was quicker.

“Because your signature the one that matters.”

Her mind swirled as memories flashed before her eyes; her father’s pale, fragile face in his final days, the endless fights with her uncle, the crane still rumbling outside.

Gritting her teeth, she pressed the pen on the paper. The ink felt heavier than it should, as if each stroke carved her fate into stone.

When she finished, the pen slipped from her grasp. It clattered against the desk, the sound final and irrevocable. Damien signed swiftly after, and the lawyer stamped the documents.

Her fate was sealed.

“Congratulations Mr and Mrs. Sullivan.” the lawyer said as he gathered the papers.

Katherine barely registered the words. The moment felt surreal, like she had just sold her soul and hadn’t realized it yet.

The lawyer turned to Damien. “Shall I process this with the courthouse?”

Damien barely glanced at him. “Yes.” Then, shifting his attention to the other man, he ordered, “Tell the demolition team to evacuate.”

“Yes, sir.” the man nodded, disappearing through the door.

Within minutes, the rumble of the crane faded into silence. Katherine exhaled shakily, a tremor running through her as relief crashed over her.

It was over, or so she thought.

The door burst open, and Tiffany stormed in, her face pale, her breaths ragged.

“Katherine, are you okay?” She grabbed her arms, eyes scanning her face frantically. “Tell me you didn’t do it. Tell me refused to marry him.”

Katherine couldn’t speak. She felt detached, as if she were watching herself from outside her own body.

Tiffany’s grip tightened. “Kat, why aren’t you saying anything?” Her voice cracked.

A low chuckle filled the room, and Katherine snapped her gaze toward Damien, fury rising in her chest. He strolled toward them, radiating undisguised amusement, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

“Katty,” he murmured, his voice a lazy taunt. “Aren’t you going to share the good news?”

Before she could react, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

A jolt of something foreign shot through her.

For the first time in ten years, his touch did something strange to her body. A sensation she didn’t understand, didn’t want to acknowledge, crept up her spine. Katherine’s breath caught, but her body betrayed her. Her knees buckled slightly.

Tiffany’s eyes widened in horror as realization set in.

Damien’s smirk deepened.

“We’re married now.” His grip on her waist tightened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.

“You belong to me, Mrs. Sullivan.”