Chapter 3 The Reluctant Agreement

The weight of the pen felt heavier than it should have, pressing against my fingers as if it were bearing the weight of every bad decision I was going to make. I couldn't yet see the tangled web of implications that resulted from the contract's phrases blurring in front of me like black ink.

Every time my heart pounded severely in my chest, I was reminded of the danger.Jack Sterling sat across from me, his posture incredibly composed, his piercing stare unblinking. I detested that I was proving him correct, but he had the aura of a man who always got what he wanted.

Like the quiet before a storm, the silence between us felt heavy and stifling. As I lifted the pen, my hand shook and hung just over the dotted line.Jack responded, "Take your time," in a suave, almost derisive tone. "I’d hate for you to feel rushed."I looked up into his eyes, and for a second I thought about hurling the pen across the room and running out

Where would I go, though? What choices did I have? Not at all. That was the harsh reality. Both Jack and I were aware of it.I forced myself to concentrate as I looked down once more. The mansion where I had grown up, owned by my family, was collapsing due to outstanding obligations. Once a rock of strength, my father was now so overcome by the shame of losing everything that he hardly raised his head. Saving what little dignity we still had was more important than money.

The paper was touched by the pen. I felt as though I was giving up the life I had known for a golden cage that Jack Sterling had created when I signed. I couldn't look at him when I finished, so I put down the pen and pushed the contract across the table."It’s done," I said, my voice hardly audible.Jack's long fingers moved with painstaking precision as he took up the document. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth as he looked at my autograph. After saying, "Good," he got up and slipped the contract into a stylish leather folder. "You’ve made the right decision."I didn't like how composed he sounded as if this was just another business deal. It might have been for him. It was like signing away a part of my soul, in my opinion.

"What happens now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.Jack looked at me, his eyes as impenetrable as ever. Tomorrow morning, you'll move into my house. Everything you need to get ready will be sent over by my staff. We will appear in public when needed to cement the agreement.My stomach roiled as I took a deep swallow. "How about... ourselves? What are your expectations of me?He moved in closer, taking over the area between us. I briefly believed I saw a glimpse of something darker and more menacing in his gaze, but it vanished as fast. "Amelia, I'm counting on you to do your share. Not a bit more, not a bit less.Even though my breath caught, I couldn't take my eyes off it. "And if I don’t?"Jack cocked his head and grinned sharply. "Then you’ll find out exactly how far I’m willing to go to protect what’s mine."The air was heavier and the room felt colder. I put my arms around myself and resisted the impulse to run. I had just turned the reigns of my life over to Jack Sterling, a guy who thrived on dominance.He responded, "I’ll see you tomorrow," in a softer but no less authoritative voice.

He turned and left the room without waiting for an answer, leaving me to bear the consequences of my decisions by myself.I couldn't sleep that night. The day's events kept coming back to me as I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Jack's voice encircled his words like a velvet glove concealing an iron fist, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face—those penetrating blue eyes. I had gotten myself into what?

The morning arrived much too soon. I was startled awake by a jarring bang on the door, and when I opened it, I saw two men in smart suits with a slick black envelope and a garment bag.One of them added, "This is for you," in a formal yet aloof tone. "Be ready in an hour."I silently nodded, took the things from him, and shut the door. The outfit in the garment bag was exquisite and subtle, but what really chilled me was the envelope. One card bearing Jack's handwriting read,

"Welcome to your new life." Avoid being late.An hour later, I was sitting in the back of a black sedan as we headed toward Jack's estate, the city fading behind the windows. With the mansion towering over us like a fortress, my pulse raced as we pushed through the iron gates.

My heels clicked against the stone driveway as I stepped out when the driver unlocked my door.At the top of the stairs, Jack was waiting for me, his face as unintelligible as ever. He said, "Welcome, Amelia," and held out his hand. "Shall we begin?"After a moment of hesitation, I put my hand in his. His touch was icy, his hold tight. As he ushered me inside, I was astounded by the lavishness all around me—marble flooring, glittering chandeliers, and art-adorned walls that likely cost more than my family's whole estate.Jack stated, "This will be your home for the next year," in a serious tone.

"You’ll find your apartments prepared upstairs."My quarters. Not in our rooms. It served as a clear reminder that this was a business partnership rather than a conventional marriage. But Jack turned to face me with a serious gaze before I had a chance to think about it.His words, "There’s one more thing,"

"Follow me."He guided me to a locked door at the end of a lengthy hallway. He produced a key, unlocked it, and moved aside, indicating that I may go inside. The air was thick with the smell of paper and leather, and the room was darkly illuminated. The walls were loaded with shelves that held papers and files."What is this?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.Jack's eyes were as icy as the sun. "This is all the information you require regarding the individuals who ruined your family. Names, dates, and affiliations.

My heart pounding, I turned to face him. "Why are you showing me this?"He took a step toward me, staring at me intently. "Because rescuing your family isn't the only goal here, Amelia. Retaliation is at issue. And now you're involved in it."His words struck me like a freight train, and I became acutely aware that my new existence was much riskier than I had ever thought.