Damian’s Dilemma

He gazed out at the city below, his eyes fixed on the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers. From his penthouse office, Damian Blackwood could see the vast expanse of the city that he was on the brink of dominating. The view was magnificent—a testament to his success and the vast empire his family had built over generations. But today, it offered no comfort. The weight of the looming deadline pressed heavily on him, tainting the satisfaction he usually felt when surveying his domain.

Behind him, his family’s lawyers shivering nervously, awaiting his response to the grim news they had delivered. Damian had always known this day would come, but he hadn’t expected it to arrive so soon, or under such dire circumstances.

“Thirty days,” he murmured, more to himself than to the men in the room. “You’re telling me I have just thirty days to find a wife, or everything my family has built will be stripped away?”

Mr. Jennings, the head lawyer, cleared his throat. “Yes, Mr. Blackwood. Your grandfather’s will stipulates that if you do not marry before your thirtieth birthday, the majority share of the company will pass to your uncle.”

He turned, his expression as cold and unyielding as the steel and glass around him. “My uncle is a fool. My uncle would ruin this company within a year.”

Jennings nodded, uncomfortable but agreeing. “That’s why we need to act swiftly. Your options, however, are…limited.”

He resisted the urge to scoff. “Limited” didn’t begin to cover it. He had spent the last few years cultivating a reputation as a ruthless, uncompromising businessman—traits that had served him well in expanding the Blackwood empire, but had also made him virtually unapproachable to any woman with a shred of self-preservation. Wooing someone into a real marriage under these conditions seemed impossible.

“And the list of ‘suitable candidates’ my mother provided?” Damian asked, already knowing the answer.

Jennings hesitated before producing a slim folder. “Your mother has identified several potential brides from reputable families. However, given your reputation…” He trailed off, uncomfortable.

Damian snatched the folder from his hand and flipped it open, scanning the profiles of women who were undoubtedly well-bred and well-mannered but utterly uninspiring. He tossed the folder onto his desk with a sigh of frustration.

“I don’t need a wife. I need a partner,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Someone who can handle the pressures of my world without flinching, who won’t try to manipulate or undermine me.”

Jennings said nothing, wisely waiting for Damian to work through his thoughts. After a few moments, Damian’s expression hardened.

“There is someone,” Damian said slowly, “who might just fit the bill. But it’s a long shot.”

Jennings looked intrigued but wary. “Who do you have in mind, Mr. Blackwood?”

“Elara Hart,” Damian replied, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “She’s tough, smart, and ambitious. We’ve butted heads before, but she’s not the type to back down from a challenge.”

Jennings raised an eyebrow. “The lawyer? Didn’t you have a rather…contentious encounter with her during that real estate deal last year?”

Damian’s smile faded, replaced by a look of steely determination. “Contentious is an understatement. But that’s exactly why she’s perfect. She won’t be intimidated by my name or my money. And if I know her at all, she’s in a situation where she could use what I’m offering.”

Jennings still seemed skeptical. “And what exactly will you offer her, Mr. Blackwood? This…arrangement will be unusual, to say the least.”

Damian turned back to the window, his mind already calculating the risks and rewards. Elara was in a tough spot with the scandal she was embroiled in, and as much as he hated to admit it, he respected her. She was the only woman he knew who wouldn’t be cowed by the expectations of his world—or by him.

“I’ll offer her a way out,” he said finally, his voice cold with resolve. “A marriage of convenience, with terms that benefit us both. She’ll get the protection and resources she needs to clear her name and save her career. And in return, I’ll get what I need: control of Blackwood Industries.”

Jennings nodded slowly, his respect for Damian’s cunning clear in his eyes. “It could work, though convincing her might be a challenge. You two didn’t part on the best terms.”

Damian’s jaw tightened as he remembered the last time he’d seen Elara—how she had stood her ground against him, unyielding and fiery, in a battle of wills that had left them both scarred. But this wasn’t about the past. This was about survival, and Damian had never been one to back down from a fight.

“I’ll convince her,” he stated with finality. “She’ll take the deal because she won’t have a choice. Neither of us does.”

As the lawyers left the room, Damian remained by the window, his mind already racing ahead to the next steps. He would contact Elara, lay out the terms, and close this deal just like he had so many others—swiftly, decisively, and with no room for failure.

But as he stared out at the city, a flicker of unease crept into his thoughts. This wasn’t just another business transaction. The stakes were personal, and the risks were higher than any he had faced before.

Because this time, the game wasn’t just about money or power. It was about trust, and control, and emotions—things that Damian Blackwood had long ago learned to keep at a distance.

But if this plan was going to work, he would have to face all of those things head-on. And for the first time in a long time, Damian wasn’t entirely sure if he was ready for what that would mean.

With a deep breath, he turned away from the window and reached for his phone, dialing a number he hadn’t called in a long time. As it rang, he steeled himself for the conversation ahead, knowing that the next few minutes could change everything.

“Elara,” he said when the call connected, his voice as smooth and confident as ever. “We need to talk.”