Chapter 2: The Reluctant Proposal
Elena sat in the back of the car, her hands clenched in her lap as her father drove through the city streets. The weight of the situation pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had barely slept after their conversation last night. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind replayed the same thoughts over and over again. Marry Damien Sterling? The idea sounded ridiculous. Impossible. And yet, here she was, on her way to meet him. Her father hadn't given her much of a choice. If she refused, their home would be gone, their company would collapse, and her mother’s medical bills would go unpaid. The thought of her mother suffering because of her decision made Elena feel sick. Her father cleared his throat as he pulled up in front of a towering glass building—Sterling Enterprises. The name alone sent a shiver down her spine. “This is it,” he said quietly. Elena stared at the massive skyscraper. It looked cold and unwelcoming, just like the man inside. “Are you sure about this?” she asked, gripping the door handle. Richard sighed. “No. But we don’t have another option.” Elena bit her lip, then pushed the door open. With every step she took toward the entrance, her heart pounded harder. Inside, the lobby was sleek and modern, with polished floors and a massive chandelier hanging overhead. It was the kind of place that screamed power and money. A woman in a fitted black dress greeted them at the front desk. “Mr. Carter,” she said with a polite nod. “Mr. Sterling is expecting you. Please follow me.” Elena’s stomach twisted as they stepped into the elevator. The ride up felt endless, the air heavy with tension. Her father stood beside her, silent and tense. When the doors finally opened, they were led to a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. And there he was. Damien Sterling stood behind a sleek black desk, his piercing gray eyes locked onto Elena the moment she entered. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and intimidating in a perfectly tailored suit. Everything about him exuded power and control. “Elena Carter,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “We finally meet.” Elena squared her shoulders, trying to ignore the way his presence made her uneasy. “Mr. Sterling.” He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit. She hesitated before lowering herself into the chair. Her father sat beside her, looking tense. Damien took his seat, folding his hands together as he studied her. “I assume your father has told you why you’re here.” Elena met his gaze. “He told me you’re offering to erase our debts in exchange for a marriage. A ghost of a smirk played on his lips. “Straight to the point. I like that. Elena’s jaw tightened. There was something about him that made her feel like she was already losing—like he was five steps ahead, watching her struggle from a distance. “I don’t understand why,” she said. “Why me?” Damien leaned back in his chair. “I need a wife. You need a solution. It’s simple.” Elena clenched her fists. “Marriage isn’t a business deal.” He arched a brow. “In my world, everything is. The coldness in his tone sent a shiver down her spine. “I have a contract,” he continued, sliding a thick folder across the desk. “Read it.” Elena hesitated before opening it. Her eyes scanned the pages, growing more furious with each line. “No love. No interference in your affairs. Absolute obedience in public?” she read aloud, her voice shaking with anger. Damien’s expression remained impassive. “Yes.” Elena snapped the folder shut. “This isn’t a marriage. It’s a prison sentence.” Damien’s eyes darkened. “It’s a lifeline for your family.” Elena gritted her teeth. “You’re a monster.” He shrugged. “I’m a businessman.” She looked at her father, hoping he would step in, but he only lowered his gaze, guilt written all over his face. Elena turned back to Damien. “And if I refuse?” His expression didn’t change. “Then your family loses everything. Elena’s hands shook. This man was ruthless. He wasn’t offering her a choice—he was forcing her into a corner. She could feel the walls closing in. Damien leaned forward, his voice quieter but just as powerful. “Sign the contract, Elena. Make this easy for everyone. Her vision blurred with unshed tears. She had dreamed of falling in love, of marrying someone who adored her. Now, she was being pushed into a cold, loveless arrangement with a man who saw her as nothing more than a piece in his game. But what choice did she have? Her mother needed medical care. Her father was drowning in debt. Their home—her childhood memories—would be taken away. Tears burned her eyes as she picked up the pen. Her fingers trembled as she signed her name on the dotted line. The moment the ink dried, she knew. Her life no longer belonged to her. her eyes Dem as she looked at her dad, and everyone around her. she could see into the future and also knowing what it hold is not what she ever bargained for. could this be true? Elena said, or am I really dreaming? why is my supposed day of bliss be full of blisters, what did I really do wrong to treated this way" finally she made up her mind seeing the problem faced by her father and also her mother's health with the predator getting ready to hunt them down as prey, though she knew signing this is like a death warrant but had to believing that it might turn out for good , but to her it wasn't her intention to ever think of going into this but just had to submit herself to becoming the debt her father couldn't pay and also believing through this her mother can rise again.Chapter 1: The Crushing Debt Elena Carter sat on the couch, staring blankly at the unopened envelopes piled on the coffee table. Her hands trembled as she reached for one, slowly tearing it open. Her heart pounded as her eyes skimmed over the words stamped in bold red ink: FINAL NOTICE: PAYMENT OVERDUE A lump formed in her throat. She reached for another envelope. The message was the same. Overdue. Debt. Legal action pending. Her fingers tightened around the papers, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. This couldn’t be happening. The Carter family had always lived comfortably. Not extravagantly, but they never had to worry about money. Her father, Richard Carter, had built Carter Industries from the ground up, turning it into a respected company. It wasn’t a billion-dollar empire, but it provided for them. Or at least, it had. Now, everything was crumbling. Elena looked up as her father entered the room. He looked exhausted. His once-strong shoulders were slumped, a
Chapter 3: The Unwanted Engagement Elena never thought her life would turn into a spectacle for the entire world to see. But now, with just one announcement, she had become the center of gossip, headlines, and scrutiny. The engagement between her and Damien Sterling had spread like wildfire. Newspapers, magazines, and online articles painted different versions of their story. Some called it a fairy tale—an ordinary woman capturing the heart of a billionaire. Others saw it as a scandal, with Elena as a gold digger who had somehow tricked the ruthless CEO into marriage. None of them knew the truth. The truth was that she had no choice. And tonight, at a high-profile party filled with the wealthiest and most powerful people, she was going to be put on display like an object. Thrown into the Lion’s Den Elena sat stiffly in the back of the sleek black car as it made its way toward the grand hotel where the party was being held. She clenched her hands in her lap, her fingers t
Chapter 4: The Cold Wedding Elena never thought she would dread her own wedding day, but here she was, standing in front of the mirror, feeling like a prisoner instead of a bride. The white gown was breathtaking—delicate lace, intricate beadwork, a long flowing train. It was the kind of dress every girl dreamed of. But to Elena, it felt like a cage, trapping her in a life she never wanted. Outside the luxurious bridal suite, the world was waiting. The guests, the media, and most of all, Damien Sterling—the man she was about to marry, not out of love, but out of obligation. Her stomach twisted. She had read romance novels where weddings were magical, where the bride’s heart pounded with excitement, where the groom looked at her like she was his whole world. But this wasn’t a love story, This was a deal. And in just a few minutes, it would be sealed forever. A Wedding Without Love The grand ballroom had been transformed into a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Flowers lined
Chapter 5: The First Clash Elena Carter had never been the type of woman to let someone dictate her life. Even now, as the wife of Damien Sterling—a man who treated marriage like a business deal—she refused to let him control her. If he thought she would be an obedient little wife, he was in for a rude awakening. The first few days after the wedding had been cold and silent. Damien barely acknowledged her presence unless necessary, and Elena had no desire to start conversations with a man who saw her as nothing more than an accessory. But today, everything changed. Defying Damien Elena had spent the morning walking through the mansion, trying to get used to her new home. The place was massive too big for just the two of them. Every room was decorated with expensive taste, from the polished marble floors to the towering chandeliers. But no matter how grand it was, it still felt empty. Just like her marriage. She found herself wandering into the kitchen, where the staff greeted
Chapter 5: The First Clash Elena Carter had never been the type of woman to let someone dictate her life. Even now, as the wife of Damien Sterling—a man who treated marriage like a business deal—she refused to let him control her. If he thought she would be an obedient little wife, he was in for a rude awakening. The first few days after the wedding had been cold and silent. Damien barely acknowledged her presence unless necessary, and Elena had no desire to start conversations with a man who saw her as nothing more than an accessory. But today, everything changed. Defying Damien Elena had spent the morning walking through the mansion, trying to get used to her new home. The place was massive too big for just the two of them. Every room was decorated with expensive taste, from the polished marble floors to the towering chandeliers. But no matter how grand it was, it still felt empty. Just like her marriage. She found herself wandering into the kitchen, where the staff greeted
Chapter 4: The Cold Wedding Elena never thought she would dread her own wedding day, but here she was, standing in front of the mirror, feeling like a prisoner instead of a bride. The white gown was breathtaking—delicate lace, intricate beadwork, a long flowing train. It was the kind of dress every girl dreamed of. But to Elena, it felt like a cage, trapping her in a life she never wanted. Outside the luxurious bridal suite, the world was waiting. The guests, the media, and most of all, Damien Sterling—the man she was about to marry, not out of love, but out of obligation. Her stomach twisted. She had read romance novels where weddings were magical, where the bride’s heart pounded with excitement, where the groom looked at her like she was his whole world. But this wasn’t a love story, This was a deal. And in just a few minutes, it would be sealed forever. A Wedding Without Love The grand ballroom had been transformed into a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Flowers lined
Chapter 3: The Unwanted Engagement Elena never thought her life would turn into a spectacle for the entire world to see. But now, with just one announcement, she had become the center of gossip, headlines, and scrutiny. The engagement between her and Damien Sterling had spread like wildfire. Newspapers, magazines, and online articles painted different versions of their story. Some called it a fairy tale—an ordinary woman capturing the heart of a billionaire. Others saw it as a scandal, with Elena as a gold digger who had somehow tricked the ruthless CEO into marriage. None of them knew the truth. The truth was that she had no choice. And tonight, at a high-profile party filled with the wealthiest and most powerful people, she was going to be put on display like an object. Thrown into the Lion’s Den Elena sat stiffly in the back of the sleek black car as it made its way toward the grand hotel where the party was being held. She clenched her hands in her lap, her fingers t
Chapter 1: The Crushing Debt Elena Carter sat on the couch, staring blankly at the unopened envelopes piled on the coffee table. Her hands trembled as she reached for one, slowly tearing it open. Her heart pounded as her eyes skimmed over the words stamped in bold red ink: FINAL NOTICE: PAYMENT OVERDUE A lump formed in her throat. She reached for another envelope. The message was the same. Overdue. Debt. Legal action pending. Her fingers tightened around the papers, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. This couldn’t be happening. The Carter family had always lived comfortably. Not extravagantly, but they never had to worry about money. Her father, Richard Carter, had built Carter Industries from the ground up, turning it into a respected company. It wasn’t a billion-dollar empire, but it provided for them. Or at least, it had. Now, everything was crumbling. Elena looked up as her father entered the room. He looked exhausted. His once-strong shoulders were slumped, a
Chapter 2: The Reluctant Proposal Elena sat in the back of the car, her hands clenched in her lap as her father drove through the city streets. The weight of the situation pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had barely slept after their conversation last night. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind replayed the same thoughts over and over again. Marry Damien Sterling? The idea sounded ridiculous. Impossible. And yet, here she was, on her way to meet him. Her father hadn't given her much of a choice. If she refused, their home would be gone, their company would collapse, and her mother’s medical bills would go unpaid. The thought of her mother suffering because of her decision made Elena feel sick. Her father cleared his throat as he pulled up in front of a towering glass building—Sterling Enterprises. The name alone sent a shiver down her spine. “This is it,” he said quietly. Elena stared at the massive skyscraper. It looked cold and unwelcoming,