Chapter 1: The Contract

Noah’s fingers ran through the edge of the documents in front of her, hands pausing on the smooth paper as if trying to carry its weight. She had been staring at the same pages for what felt like hours. The words came in and out of focus before her eyes, a mixture of legal terms and conditions that would change everything. Her late father’s office, once a place of comfort, felt different now. The rich, dark wood of the desk, the leather chairs, the shelves lined with books, everything seemed to close in on her.

Sebastian stood by the window, his arms crossed, his face a mix of concern and frustration. The afternoon sunlight was in, causing a long shadow across the room. He sighed, breaking the silence that was between them.

“We could still go with Len’s offer,” he said, his voice laced with doubt, almost pleading. “Selling off might be easier.”

Noah lifted her gaze from the papers, meeting her brother’s worried expression. Her chest tightened. She uncrossed her legs and leaned back in the chair, the leather lay softly beneath her. “This is the best option, Seb.” The words left her mouth with more force than she intended. “We have to save the company. Dad would’ve done the same.”

Though her words were meant to ease her brother's guilt, he wished he could do more and not just watch his older sister sell off her happiness and possibly her freedom as well. She wasn't sure if her father would be proud of her for making this choice.

Sebastian’s shoulders fell as he looked at her, his mouth open slightly like he wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words. He ran a hand through his hair, a sigh leaving his lips. “I just— I wish there was another way.”

Sebastian picked up the phone on the desk and dialed. “Mrs. Elena, can you have Mr. David prepare the car? We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

Noah’s heart pounded in her chest, a steady beat that matched the ticking clock on the wall. The meeting with Damien Anderson was ahead like a storm cloud on the horizon. She could almost feel the temperature l of the room where the contract would be signed, the tension that would fill the space between them.

As they left the office, Sebastian’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen before answering. “Yes, this is Sebastian. I understand, sir… Tomorrow was the plan, but— Yes, I’ll be there in an hour. Thank you.”

Noah watched as her brother’s face change from surprise to frustrated . “What’s going on?” she asked, even though she could already sense the answer.

“My professor needs my thesis today,” Sebastian replied, his voice tight with apology. “He came back early, and if I don’t hand it in, I’ll miss the deadline.”

Her heart sank. The prospect of facing Damien alone was discouraging. She wanted to tell her brother to stay, to help her ease the burden. But instead, she nodded, offering him a reassuring smile she didn’t feel. “Go. You need to finish school. I’ll be fine.”

Sebastian hesitated, his eyes searching hers for any sign of doubt. “Are you sure?”

“I can handle it,” Noah said, her voice steadier than she felt. “Don’t worry about me.”

He left reluctantly, the sound of his footsteps echoed down the hallway as he hurried to his car. Noah stood alone in front of the elevator, the weight of the upcoming meeting on her mind. 

Memories of her past encounters with Damien flickered through her mind, each one a reminder of how different they were—different in principles, in business, in everything.

The ride to Anderson Enterprise was a fast one, the cityscape sliding by in a mixture of steel and glass. Noah’s thoughts were all over the place as she tried to predict how the meeting would go. Damien Anderson was as enigmatic as he was powerful, and the idea of aligning her family’s future with his felt like stepping into a minefield.

Is everything alright, ma’am?” Mr. David’s voice cut through her thoughts as they pulled up in front of the towering Anderson building.

Noah blinked, pulling herself back to the present. “Yes,” she said, though the word felt empty.

Then as she stepped out of the car, its sleek glass reflected the cloudy sky. It was a testament to the Anderson family’s wealth and ambition, a stark contrast to the warmth of her father’s company. She squared her shoulders, forcing herself admired the architectural work, though the pit in her stomach remained.

Inside, the receptionist greeted her with a warm smile, the kind of practiced politeness that always comes with the job. “Welcome to Anderson Enterprise, Miss Miller.”

Noah returned the smile, though hers didn’t quite reach her eyes. She followed a young man to the elevator, her heels clicking against the tilled floor. Everything about this place screamed power and value, from the clean surfaces to the perfectly arranged furniture.

As the elevator ascended, she tried to slow her breathing. The ding of the elevator doors opening did pull her back to reality. The young man led her down a long, quiet corridor to a set of double doors. He paused, turning to her with a nod. “He’s been expecting you.”

Noah stood outside Damien’s office, staring at the dark wood doors that separated her from the man who could change the course of her life. She took a moment to adjust her black dress, fingers shook a little as she smoothed the fabric. This was it. The moment she’d been anticipating with fear and preparing for in equal measure.

With a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway, followed by a pause that seemed to extend on forever.

Then, a voice—low, commanding—called from within. “Come in.”