The Proposal (2)

Michael spread the contract before Aria, who could hear the low, intense conversation between Xavier and her stepmother across the room, though the words were indistinct.

From Victoria's rigid posture, it wasn't going well.

"Page seventeen contains the personal conduct clauses," Michael said quietly, drawing her attention back to the document. "You'll want to pay particular attention to those."

Aria flipped to the indicated page, scanning the dense legal text. Her business degree helped her navigate the jargon, but what she found made her stomach clench.

[The Wife agrees to undergo any physical modifications deemed necessary by the Husband to maintain the Harrington family image, including but not limited to weight management, cosmetic procedures, dental work, and dermatological treatments.

The Wife shall, within six months of signing, achieve and maintain the following measurements: waist not to exceed 26 inches, hips not to exceed 36 inches, weight not to exceed 125 pounds.

The Wife shall not speak at any business function unless directly addressed, and shall limit responses to topics approved in advance by the Husband or his representatives.

The Wife shall make herself available for all social functions as required by the Husband, regardless of personal preference or prior commitments]

The restrictions continued for pages, detailing every aspect of how she would look, speak, and behave as Xavier Harrington's wife.

"This is medieval," she whispered to Michael, who had the grace to look uncomfortable.

"Mr. Harrington values clear terms in all his arrangements." He said.

Aria continued reading, pausing at a section titled "Termination Conditions."

Michael cleared his throat. "The contract stipulates a legal marriage lasting a minimum of three years initially," Michael explained, seeing her confusion. "Renewable by mutual consent. If either party wishes to terminate after the third year, the financial arrangements regarding Taylor Architectural remain intact, provided there has been no breach of contract."

"So I could leave in three years, and my father's company would still be safe?" Aria clarified, hope flickering for the first time.

"Provided all terms are met during that year, yes."

Aria glanced toward Xavier, still engaged in what appeared to be an increasingly tense conversation with Victoria. "Why would he agree to that? What does he get out of this arrangement?"

Michael hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Mr. Harrington has his reasons. Family expectations, primarily. His grandmother is... traditional in her views on marriage and succession."

Before Aria could ask more questions, Xavier's phone rang. 

The conversation with Victoria ended abruptly as he returned to his desk.

"Your time is up, Miss Taylor," he announced. "Have you reviewed the contract to your satisfaction?"

Aria closed the document, rising on unsteady legs. "I have questions."

"I expected nothing less." He gestured for her to continue.

"The appearance clauses—they're excessive and controlling."

Xavier's expression didn't change. "They're standard for the role you would be undertaking. The Harrington name comes with expectations."

"And the weight restriction?” Aria took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "And the fidelity clauses? Or rather, the lack of any?"

At this, Victoria made a small sound of alarm, but Xavier silenced her with a glance.

"The contract requires discretion and public unity," he stated flatly. "Private arrangements are not specified."

"Meaning you're free to continue your... relationships... with other women, while I'm expected to remain faithful?"

"Meaning," Xavier corrected coldly, "That this is a business arrangement, not a love match. I won't insult you with false promises of devotion, Miss Taylor."

His gaze flicked dismissively over Aria again. "The contract also includes a comprehensive confidentiality clause. You will never, under any circumstances, reveal the nature of our arrangement. To the world, we will appear to be a conventional married couple. In private, we will lead separate lives."

Aria forced herself to breathe through the constriction of both the shapewear and her rising panic. "And my father's company?"

Something like surprise flickered in Xavier's eyes, as if he hadn't expected her to speak at all. "As stated, Taylor Architecture will be absorbed into Harrington Consolidated' development division."

"What about the debts?" Aria pressed, finding courage in desperation. "The contract says the merger will be finalized, but it doesn't specifically address the outstanding loans."

Xavier's eyebrow arched slightly. "The loans will be restructured on favorable terms."

"That's not good enough." The words escaped before Aria could stop them.

Victoria gasped.

Michael's fingers stilled on his tablet.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees as Xavier leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

Aria swallowed hard yet didn't back down. "I want the debts forgiven completely. Not restructured, not extended—forgiven. That's my condition."

For a long moment, Xavier simply stared at her. Then, unexpectedly, one corner of his mouth lifted in what might have been genuine amusement.

"At least you have some business sense, unlike your sister." He nodded to Michael. "Add a clause forgiving all outstanding Taylor Architecture debt upon completion of the three-year marriage term."

Relief flooded through Aria, one that was short-lived.

"However," Xavier continued, taking on a dangerous edge, "Add this as well: If Miss Taylor fails to meet the specified physical requirements within six months, the debt forgiveness will be reduced by thirty percent."

Aria stared at the contract, the words blurring before her eyes. Three years of her life. Three years of humiliation, of being molded into someone else's ideal, of being nothing more than an ornament on Xavier Harrington's arm.

But her father would keep his company. He would be free of debt. His health might recover without the crushing stress of financial ruin.

"Second thoughts, Miss Taylor?" Xavier's voice was silky with challenge. "Your sister certainly had no trouble walking away."

Aria met his gaze, a spark of defiance flaring despite everything. "I'm not my sister."

"No," he agreed, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "You're not."

The phone on his desk chimed again, more insistently.

"Your decision?" he prompted. "I have Tokyo waiting."

Aria looked at Victoria, whose expression had hardened into something desperate and dangerous.

She thought of her father in the hospital bed, his heart literally breaking under the strain of his failing business. She thought of the tax fraud Victoria had orchestrated, hanging over his head like a sword.

Then she looked back at Xavier Harrington… handsome, cold, powerful, who was watching her with the detached interest of someone observing a mildly entertaining business negotiation.

"I need one addition to the contract," she said finally.

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "You're hardly in a position to make demands."

"Just one." Aria stood straighter, ignoring the bite of the shapewear. "My father receives full medical coverage under the Harrington corporate plan. The best specialists, whatever he needs. That's my condition."

For a long moment, Xavier simply studied her, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded once. "Michael will add the clause."

He extended his hand across the desk. "Do we have an agreement, Miss Taylor?"

Aria stared at his outstretched hand—strong, manicured, adorned only with an expensive watch. The hand that would soon place a wedding ring on her finger. The hand that held her father's future.

She placed her own hand in his, suppressing a shiver at the coldness of his touch. "We have an agreement, Mr. Harrington."

"Xavier," he corrected, his grip firm but brief. "You should become accustomed to using my first name."

The phone chimed a third time.

Xavier released her hand and pressed the speaker button. "Harrington here. Apologies for the delay."

As he began speaking in fluent Japanese, he gestured toward the door, dismissing them without another glance.

Michael quickly added the medical clause to the contract, had Aria initial it, then escorted her and Victoria to the elevator.

"Mr. Harrington will be in touch regarding next steps," he informed them professionally. "The engagement announcement will be released tomorrow."

As the elevator doors closed, Victoria finally exhaled with a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "Well done, Aria. I didn't think you had it in you."

Aria leaned against the elevator wall, suddenly exhausted. "I didn't do it for you."

"Of course not, dear." Victoria's voice dripped with false sympathy. "You did it for your father. So noble."

The elevator descended in silence.

Aria's mind raced with the enormity of what she had just agreed to. Three years of her life signed away. Three years as Mrs. Xavier Harrington, trophy wife to a man who had looked at her with barely concealed disgust.