BOUND BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT

f as she reread the pages, each clause a chilling reminder of what she was committing to. Damian's lawyer had delivered the p

It felt strange, surreal, that the solution to her financial ruin lay within these binding, emotio

ails, noting Damian's cold practicality in even this area. For the sake of his family's approval, they'd need to appear conv

as emotionally unreachable as Damian Cole? The memory of his sharp gaze and imposing presence f

knock,

thoughts. Zara glanced through the peephole and saw a sha

pened the door. "I'm Kendra, Mr. Cole's personal assistant.

n aback by Kendra's brisk

with a thinly veiled hint of disdain. Zara felt a pang of defensiveness but

me to oversee your transition into his residence. You'll be living in his pe

yes widened. "That's

ing must be in place before your first public appearance as his wife. Speaking of wh

a, corporate dinner, a weekend at Damian's family estate. It was a w

ike. "Mr. Cole has authorized a budget for shopping, and a stylist will be assigne

blic appearances, a new wardrobe-she was stepping into a life s

ming, Miss Hart. But once you adapt, everything will fall in

back to the document. "What happen

ancial benefits and returning any funds Mr. Cole has already provided. He's quite seri

er shoulders. There was no room for mistakes. But stil

le. "Damian chose you because he needed someone without connecti

venient stranger in Damian Cole's world, a pawn he could move as he pleased. Yet

. "If you have no further questions, I'll leave you to review the c

ara's spine. Alone again, Zara returned to the contract, her eyes lingering on the signature line.

a Ha

come Mrs. Damian Cole-a title tha

e-sleek, sophisticated, and overwhelmingly intimidating. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking v

e. The room was the size of her entire apartment, filled with luxurio

d to keep her tone calm, thoug

ome this evening, and he expects you to joi

ting filling her with nerves. She had to remind herself t

e marble vanity, the expansive closet filled with clothes she hadn't chosen. Everything abou

morizing the rooms, the layout, the tiny details that made up Damian's worl

ek black dress she found hanging in her closet, a note

ing and uncomfortable. She applied light makeup, took a deep breath, and finally l

ally seated yet radiating authority, made her pulse quicken. He looked up, his gaze assessing, an

te," he said, his voi

eplied, taking a s

g of cutlery. Zara tried to focus on her meal, but Damian's p

ust Kendra went over the

voice steady. "I understa

there's no turning back now. From this moment forward, you're Mrs.

ion settling around her like armor. "You'l

ures. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by his f

and a man who seemed determined to keep her at arm's length. And yet, somewhere deep within, a spark of defia