The CEO's Reluctant Bride

The scratch of the pen on paper felt louder than it should.

Ava's signature flowed across the contract, each letter a nail in the coffin of her old life.

Done.

No turning back.

Adrian reached forward, flipping the document closed with practiced ease. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Her gaze snapped up. "Easy for you to say—you're not the one selling your soul."

He didn't flinch, those dark eyes assessing. "Sentimentality won't get you far in this arrangement."

She bit back a retort. Keep it together. Fighting him would only make this worse.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, fingertips steepled. "We need to discuss expectations."

"Expectations?" Her tone dripped skepticism.

"You're my wife now, Ava," he said evenly. "On paper, at least. There will be public appearances, dinners, events. You'll act the part."

Her stomach twisted. Pretend to be the adoring wife to the man who practically blackmailed me into this? Perfect.

"And if I don't?" she challenged.

A faint smile—dangerous in its subtlety. "Then you breach the contract, and I withdraw my financial support."

Of course. Strings attached, wrapped tightly around her throat.

He slid a sleek black folder across the desk. "Your schedule for the next month. Our first appearance is at the Bennett Foundation Gala. High-profile, significant for investors."

Ava glanced at the details—designer fittings, etiquette consultations. Her world, flipped upside down and tailored to his standards.

"This is insane," she muttered.

Adrian stood, straightening his cuffs. "Get used to it."

God, I hate him.

Yet beneath the irritation was something worse—curiosity. Who was the man behind this cold facade? What drove someone to orchestrate something so... calculated?

She shoved the thought aside. Doesn't matter. Business. Nothing more.

Later that afternoon

Walking out of Sinclair Corp should've felt like freedom. Instead, the contract in her bag weighed her down. Her phone buzzed—a welcome distraction.

"Hello?"

Silence. Then a voice—low, unfamiliar. "Careful what doors you open, Ava Carter."

Her heart stopped. "Who is this?"

The line went dead.

Goosebumps prickled her skin. What the hell.

She glanced back at the towering building behind her. Adrian's involvement had saved her company. But what had she just stepped into?

And more importantly who was waiting on the other side?