Chapter Three: The Contract

Zara's POV

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating like a storm waiting to break. Disbelief overshadowed his features, and suddenly he burst into laughter-sharp, mocking and utterly cruel.

"S....orry," he said sputtering, his laughter cutting through my words, drowning out any feeble defense I must have mustered. But as quickly as it came, it subsided, leaving his face unreadable. "You joke too much, Zara."

The sting of embarrassment surged through me but I refused to back down. My gaze locking on his. "I'm not joking," I said, my voice steady, betraying none of my tumor" I'm serious."

The amusement on his face vanished, replaced by something colder-shock perhaps. He leaned forward slightly, studying me like an unreadable puzzle. "You're serious?"

I nodded, keeping my chin high.

"Why should l?" He shot back, his words cutting. "Why should I settle for the adopted daughter when the real daughter is already within my reach," he said.

The words landed like blows landing my resolve, but I clenched my fists to keep steady. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, his sharp gaze sweeping over me, assessing every crack in my armour.

"Because," I swallowed hard, My throat tightened. "Because....I need you."

His brows quickened, his dark eyes flickering with interest. "Need me?" He echoed leaning forward. "For what exactly?"

The question caught me off guard. My mind whirled, torn between lying and telling the truth. I took a breath, gambling on the latter. "For revenge," I said, my voice low but firm. "Cassandra wants you, and if I have you, it will devastate her. That, in turn, will hurt Grace—your precious Cassandra's mother—who’s always obsessed with her daughter's happiness."

For a moment , he said nothing. Then a small smirk curled his lips. "So you want me to help you destroy your family? He asked, sounding almost amused. I hate to admit, Cassandra has always called you pitiful, but she's wrong. You're feisty. I like feisty women."

His praises though laced with mockery made my stomach twist with discomfort. I had no choice than to continue.

"Alright," finally he said, his tone forming all business. "What's in it for me? If I help you get revenge... what do I stand to gain? I'm a businessman, Zara- I only do profitable deals. Cassandra had a lot of benefits, you know."

I hesitated, ransacking my brain. "I don't know if you would believe me," I started carefully. "But I know a lot about future profitable business investments. I know which business would boom and the ones that would fail."

He titled his head forward, intrigued. "You sound very sure of your self. What, are you from the future?"

"No.....but I'm sure. For instance by tomorrow morning, The Steve's construction company will acquire The Evans electronics."

Before he could say more, a voice cut through the air.

"Zara," Cassandra's voice rang out, sickly sweet yet edged with suspicion as she approached. "What are you doing here?"

Evander ignored her completely, his eyes never leaving mine. "What do you say we continue this conversation somewhere private? My hotel suite, perhaps?" He held up a room key.

"Evander," Cassandra snapped, her tone sharp and possessive. "What are you doing?"

Evander stood, extending his arm towards me. I slid my arm into his without hesitation, ignoring the fire I could feel in Cassandra's glare.

"I'm sorry," Evander said smoothly, his voice laced with mock sympathy as he turned towards Isabella. "I've chose your sister instead."

Her face fell, disbelief and fury warring in her expression. "Zara," she cried, her voice echoing through the room, heads turning in our direction. "Zara."

But I didn't look back. I walked with Evander, my hand steady in his as we exited the hall.

Inside the hotel room, we sat across each other as silence linger around us. Evander leaned forward and broke it.

"I run an interior design company," he began, his tone uncharacteristically earnest. "I have been thinking of venturing into construction. What did you think?"

I hesitated for a moment before replying. "You should take over your family construction company instead," I said firmly, remembering his role in the past.

His expression darkened, the light in his eyes dimming. "My brother runs it," his tone low and tinged with bitterness.

Silence settled again, stretching until he finally stood. "Wine?" he offered.

I nodded, grateful for the distraction. As he left, I let out a shaky breath. My mind raced, and I struggled to shove away the storm of thoughts swirling inside me. Would he expect me to sleep with him tonight?

He returned moments later, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. He poured one for me and handed it over.

"Thank you," I muttered, taking a sip. Before long, the silence became suffocating, and I lost track of how much I’d had. By the time the bottle was empty, my world swam in a haze.

Tears welled in my eyes, my voice cracking as I spoke. "I’m scared."

Evander’s gaze snapped to me, unreadable. "Scared of what?"

"Of dying," I whispered, my words spilling over like a confession. "If I don’t destroy them, they’ll destroy me. I know they will." My tears streamed freely now, my emotions pouring out uncontrollably. "Please, Evander... help me."

Through my drunken haze, I saw his expression—cold, detached. Still, I clung to my plea, repeating it until darkness finally claimed me.

The next morning, I jolted awake to an unfamiliar room. My head throbbed, and my stomach churned as I sat up, the events of last night rushing back to me. I was still fully dressed, and relief flooded me.

When I stepped into the living room, I found Evander seated on the couch, watching the news of the takeover between Steve's construction and Evan's electronics. He glanced over his shoulder at me as I stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"Good morning," he said, a rare smile tugging at his lips. He extended his hand toward me. "We have a deal."

I blinked, surprised. "A deal?"

"Yes. I accept your marriage proposal. Let's meet by 4pm today to discuss our marriage."

The words sank in slowly, and excitement bubbled in my chest. I smiled faintly, my voice steady when I replied. "Deal."

Outside the hotel, I ran straight into Alessandro. His hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly.

"Zara," he hissed, his face twisted with anger. "How shameless can you be? Now you’re chasing after my boss?"

I froze. "Evander is your boss?"

"Yes," he spat.

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Good." I wrenched my arm free and started walking away.

"Zara!" he called after me, his voice strained with frustration. "What’s wrong with you? You wanted this marriage more than anyone else!"

"Not anymore," I said curtly, my voice final.

When I got home, Grace and Cassandra were waiting in the living room, fury etched into their faces.

"Zara!" Grace snapped. "How dare you seduce Evander Blackwood? Don’t you know Cassandra was meant for him?"

I met her glare head-on. "Not anymore," I said coldly.

"What?"

"Evander chose me," I continued, my voice steady, my chin lifted. "We’re getting married."

"You bitch!" Cassandra shrieked, storming toward me. Her slap landed hard against my cheek.

"You crazy—" I began, my hand lifting to return the blow, but Dan, Grace’s right-hand man, grabbed me from behind and dragged me toward my room.

"You’ll stay here until you reflect on your actions," Grace spat, snatching my phone before slamming the door and locking it behind her.

I pounded on the door, screaming until my voice was hoarse. Eventually, I sank to the cold floor, tears streaming as memories of the past clawed their way back—days of starvation, punishment, and being locked away for Cassandra’s every whim and for not painting according to Grace's instructions.

I cried until exhaustion took me.

Hours later, the door creaked open. My heart pounded as I scrambled to my feet, dreading what new punishment awaited me.

Instead, his voice reached me softly, unexpected and gentle.

"Zara," Evander said, stepping into the room, his gaze filled with something I couldn’t quite place. "Come here."