Caught in the Ceo's web

ia's

most overwhelming sense of fear. The days leading

relentless proposal. The buzzing of my phone shattered the calm of my apartment.

e third ring, trying to s

ugh the phone. "Have you made your choice?" He asked

unter for steadiness. As if it could

nd

A moment of si

in an hour. We'll wrap everything up." I blin

? Trista

firmly, his tone leaving

could reply. My chest tightened as I gazed at my reflec

tched the steering wheel, damp and tense. By the time I arrived, my heart was pounding s

f the man who lived on the top floor. As I ascende

ed, Tristan was there, seated, clad

," he welcomed, immediately he sighted me, stepping aside for me to enter. The li

aiting for me. "Would you like a drink?" Tristan asked, his voice neutral

considering what had transpi

it before me. "Here it is. The terms are exactly as we discussed." I opened the folder, the i

angement, from the length of the marriage t

ing emotional a busines

pered, reading aloud. "Regular public a

affirmed, his t

that period. At the conclusion of the year,

my gaze narrowing as I turned to the next page. Testing him to

ant to discourage early withdra

fingers grazing the page. Tristan

is as simple

your future. And you will achieve all you've wanted to achieve." His

lt anything but rational. "All I need, really?

rposes, just as I am for mine. Let's not pretend otherwi

care what this

ening just a bit. "But I also believe you're

be here if y

s unsettling. With a shaky breath, I reache

aid, my voice quiet, "t

your choice, Sophie. This is merely the formality." I gripped the pe

est. "Take your time," Tristan said softly, surprising me with his fo

my name in deliberate, steady strokes. Each letter felt more burdensome than the last, the weight of m

e snapping the folder shut with determination. "You've made the righ

Tristan stood, his movements precise a

ything by Monday. In the mean time, co

ing stature both fearsome and

ady, "we get ready for what li

ughts. As I waited there, the burden of the contract bore down on me,

as hardly dry, yet it alr