Beyond the contract

The soft hum of the city filled the air as Sophia paced outside her bakery, "The Flour Haven." She glanced at the handwritten "Closed for Repairs" sign taped to the glass door, a bitter reminder of her current predicament. A leaky ceiling and dwindling customers had brought her dream to a screeching halt.

She shoved her hands into her coat pockets, exhaling sharply. She needed a miracle. But miracles didn't come cheap, and she didn't have the luxury of waiting.

As she turned to leave, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a man in his mid-thirties, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. His sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and dark hair slicked back gave him the air of someone accustomed to getting what he wanted.

"Miss Bennett?" he asked, his voice smooth and commanding.

Sophia froze. "Yes? Who's asking?"

"My name is Ethan Carter," he said. "I'd like to discuss an opportunity with you. May I?" He gestured to the café next door.

Sophia hesitated. She didn't know him, but the confidence in his demeanor made her curious. And desperate times called for desperate measures.

Inside the cozy café, Ethan ordered an espresso while Sophia settled for her usual latte. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and studied her with an intensity that made her fidget.

"I've done my research on you," he began. "You're talented, resourceful, and determined. But your bakery is struggling. Am I correct?"

Sophia bristled. "That's not your business."

He smirked. "Perhaps not. But I can help you."

"How?"

Ethan reached into his briefcase and pulled out a sleek folder, sliding it across the table. "Inside, you'll find a contract outlining the terms of a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "What kind of arrangement?"

"I need a wife," he said bluntly.

Her laugh came out before she could stop it. "Excuse me?"

"I'm serious," Ethan said, his tone even. "This isn't about love. It's about appearances. My board expects me to settle down, and you need financial stability. Marry me, and I'll pay off all your debts and fund any expansion plans for your bakery."

Sophia stared at him, her mind reeling. Was this a joke? Who proposed a business deal like this in real life?

"And what do you get out of it?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"A wife who won't complicate things," Ethan replied. "You're independent, capable, and you don't have ties to my world. It's perfect."

Sophia leaned back, crossing her arms. "You don't even know me."

"I know enough," Ethan said, his voice dropping. "You have nothing to lose, Sophia. But everything to gain."

The next few days passed in a blur. Ethan gave Sophia time to consider his proposal, but his words echoed in her mind. It was absurd, almost laughable. Yet, the thought of saving her bakery-and her pride-was tempting.

Finally, she called him.

"Alright," she said. "I'll do it."

The wedding was a whirlwind, a private ceremony with only a few witnesses. Sophia stood next to Ethan in a simple white dress, her heart pounding as the officiant spoke. It felt surreal, like a dream she couldn't wake from.

When the ceremony ended, Ethan leaned in and whispered, "Congratulations, Mrs. Carter."

Sophia forced a smile, the weight of their arrangement settling on her shoulders.

Their first days together were a mix of awkwardness and routine. Ethan had laid out clear rules: appearances were everything, but their private lives would remain separate.

Sophia spent most of her time exploring his lavish penthouse, marveling at the sheer opulence of it all. But something about Ethan's world felt cold, calculated.

One evening, she stumbled upon his office door slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked inside.

On his desk was a photo of a woman who looked eerily familiar. Her features were softer, her smile more radiant, but the resemblance to Sophia was undeniable.