3. Signing the Contract

The room felt colder, even though the air conditioner’s temperature hadn’t changed. Only the ticking of the wall clock broke the silence, making every second feel heavier for Hazel. The marriage contract lay before her like a curse, ready to change her life forever.

Theo Filbert still sat across the desk with a relaxed demeanor, in stark contrast to the tension enveloping Hazel. His face remained unreadable, as if he already knew the decision Hazel would make even before she opened her mouth.

“Take a moment if you need to,” Theo said, his voice flat and emotionless. Yet, his tone clearly conveyed impatience. “But the decision must be made tonight.”

Hazel bit her lower lip, feeling the sharp sting. Her heart pounded hard, echoing in her chest like a war drum.

Am I really going to do this?

Her mind was in turmoil. A small voice inside her wanted to refuse, to fight back, to find another way to save her mother without having to surrender her freedom to a man who didn’t even believe in love. But reality slapped her cruelly.

She had no choice.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her trembling grip. Hazel, her hands heavy, opened the new message.

📩 "Patient Maria Gabriella requires immediate treatment. Without payment, care will be discontinued tomorrow at 10 AM."

Her vision blurred. Her throat went dry as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

Theo sat motionless, waiting without haste, like a predator certain that its prey wouldn’t be able to escape.

Hazel felt her chest tighten even more. Slowly but surely, her small, trembling hand reached for the pen lying on the desk.

She hesitated for a moment, battling the storm inside her. But then, the image of her mother lying weak in the hospital gave her the strength she needed.

Holding her breath, Hazel finally wrote her name on the paper. Every letter felt like a weight that would lock her fate forever.

H A Z E L G A B R I E L L A

As the ink dried, Theo unhurriedly pulled the contract toward him. His gray eyes studied Hazel’s signature before lifting back to her face with an unreadable expression.

“You made a wise choice,” he said in a flat tone, devoid of sympathy or triumph.

Hazel didn’t respond. Her throat felt tight, and her breath came in short gasps.

Theo rose from his chair with an easy movement, adjusting his expensive suit without urgency. There was no smile, no congratulations for his new wife—only the cold demeanor of a man who saw life as nothing more than a business transaction.

“Our wedding date will be set tomorrow,” he stated briefly. “Starting now, you’ll live in my house. All your needs will be taken care of. But remember one thing, Hazel…”

Theo leaned in slightly, his voice low but as sharp as a blade.

“Never think this is a real marriage.”

His cold gray eyes locked onto Hazel’s, leaving no room for argument.

Without waiting for a reply, Theo turned and walked out of the room, leaving Hazel still frozen in her chair.

She bit her lip hard, trying to suppress the trembling in her weak fingers. The silent room now felt oppressive, as if the weight of the entire world had fallen on her shoulders.

What have I just done?

But there was no turning back.

Hazel had just signed her life away to a man who didn’t even believe in love.

That night, the city shimmered in the glow of countless lights, reflected in the windows of the luxury black car. What should have been a beautiful scene felt grim for Hazel. Her gaze was empty, staring at her own reflection in the glass as she clutched her phone tightly in her lap. The hospital’s last message echoed in her mind, a bitter reminder that the decision she had just made was the only way to save her mother.

Beside her, Theo Filbert sat in silence, his posture straight, his face expressionless. His black suit fit him perfectly, embodying a man of arrogance and absolute control. The air between them was heavy with silence, broken only by the smooth hum of the car’s engine as it glided through the city streets.

“Do you regret it?” Theo finally broke the silence, his tone flat.

Hazel flinched, turning to him in confusion. “What?”

Theo shifted his gaze from his phone, his gray eyes locking onto hers.

“The contract,” he said bluntly. “You look like someone who just sold their soul.”

Hazel clenched her fists, suppressing the surge of emotion rising in her chest.

“I had no choice,” she replied softly but firmly. “This is for my mother.”

Theo let out a small chuckle, a cold, hollow sound.

“Sacrificing for family. How cliché,” he murmured dismissively.

Hazel shot him a glare, her eyes burning with defiance.

“Not everyone has the luxury of living without burdens like you do.”

Theo’s expression remained calm, entirely unaffected by Hazel’s anger. A faint smirk played at the corner of his lips before he turned his attention back to his phone.

Moments later, the car slowed to a stop before an imposing iron gate. Hazel stared in disbelief as it opened smoothly, revealing a stone-paved driveway leading to a massive mansion standing proudly in the middle of a vast garden. The soft glow of garden lights illuminated every corner, making the place look like something out of a fairy tale.

Her heart pounded. Her steps felt heavy as she stepped out of the car. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but the real chill came from the uncertainty enveloping her heart.

Theo walked ahead with confident strides, his tall figure contrasting starkly with Hazel’s smaller, more fragile form.

“Welcome, Mr. Filbert,” a butler greeted respectfully, holding the door open.

Theo didn’t acknowledge him. He merely paused briefly, glancing at Hazel with a sharp gaze.

“This is your home now,” he said shortly.

Hazel opened her mouth to respond, but Theo continued in a tone as cold as ice.

“But don’t forget,” he added, “this is still my place. Don’t ever think you have control over anything here.”

His words stung like a whip. But Hazel only gave a small nod, trying to hide the trembling in her fingers.

Their footsteps echoed against the cold marble floor as they entered the mansion. A grand hall with towering ceilings welcomed them, adorned with a sparkling crystal chandelier that shone like stars. The faint scent of expensive wood mixed with the fragrance of fresh flowers arranged neatly in the corners.

Hazel felt even smaller amid all the luxury surrounding her.

Theo stopped in the middle of the room and cast a brief glance at the butler, who stood waiting respectfully.

“Prepare a room for her,” he ordered curtly.

The butler nodded and left. Theo turned back to Hazel, his expression unreadable.

“Tomorrow, we’ll handle the wedding arrangements,” he said without emotion. “Make sure you’re ready.”

Hazel could only nod, though doubt filled her heart.

Theo said nothing more. He simply turned and ascended the grand spiral staircase with effortless grace, leaving Hazel standing alone.

The grand mansion’s air felt suffocating.

Holding her breath, Hazel realized one thing:

In this place that looked like paradise, hell had just begun.

The night passed without pause, yet Hazel couldn’t close her eyes even for a second.

The room prepared for her was magnificent—a canopy bed with pristine white silk sheets, polished wooden furniture, and a balcony overlooking the vast, softly lit garden.

But all this luxury couldn’t quiet her thoughts.

Hazel sat at the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the cold marble floor. The image of her mother lying weak in the hospital haunted her. Guilt wrapped around her heart, squeezing so tightly it left her breathless.

Did I make the right choice?

Her phone vibrated on the bedside table. With shaky hands, Hazel picked it up and opened the new message.

"Thank you for today’s payment. The scheduled surgery will proceed as planned."

Tears welled in her eyes. A momentary relief seeped in. Her mother was safe—for now.

But the price she paid was surrendering her life to a man as cold as Theo Filbert.