Love beyond the contract

nced at the handwritten "Closed for Repairs" sign taped to the glass door, a bitter reminder of her cu

sharply. She needed a miracle. But miracles didn't

aling a man in his mid-thirties, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. His sharp features, piercing blu

asked, his voice sm

e. "Yes? Wh

like to discuss an opportunity with you.

confidence in his demeanor made her curious. An

led for her usual latte. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on

ou're talented, resourceful, and determined.

d. "That's not

rhaps not. But

ow

r, sliding it across the table. "Inside, you'll find a contra

eyebrow. "What ki

ife," he sa

before she could st

rances. My board expects me to settle down, and you need financial stability. Marr

ng. Was this a joke? Who proposed a

out of it?" she asked

replied. "You're independent, capable, and y

rossing her arms. "Yo

ce dropping. "You have nothing to lo

is proposal, but his words echoed in her mind. It was absurd, almost lau

she cal

she said. "

Sophia stood next to Ethan in a simple white dress, her heart pounding as

n leaned in and whispered, "C

weight of their arrangement

outine. Ethan had laid out clear rules: appearances were

nthouse, marveling at the sheer opulence of it all. B

ce door slightly ajar. Curiosity got th

familiar. Her features were softer, her smile more

ss the discovery, Etha

for som

her cheeks flushin

o, his expression hardening. "Th

ed. "She's..

voice tinged with bitternes

," Sophia

unreadable. "If you're done

t polite, and she began to see glimpses of the man behind the mask. He was fiercely protective of

the more questions she had. Why had he

d a package on her bed. Inside was a gown, elegant a

Ethan was waiting in the living room, looki

gala," he explained. "It's

r nerves bubbling

with the city's elite. Sophia clung to Et

than murmured, his han

o the vibrant energy of the crowd. But then, she s

a sharp suit, and something about

?" she whisp

ghtened. "Stay

outside for some air, the

othly. "I'm Charles Beaumo

a polite smil

e a fascinating choice for Ethan. I

" Sophia asked, he

ping. "You remind me of someone.

frowned

er, Ethan appeared,

he said col

ng Sophia one last lo

say to you?"

t," Sophia said,

e the feeling that she had stepped into a st