Chapter 2 The Marriage Contract

Amara stared at Damian as though he had just told her the world was ending.

"Someone is watching me?"

Damian nodded.

"Who?"

"I don't know yet."

"Then how can you be sure?"

"I don't make statements I'm not sure about."

His calm voice somehow frightened her more than if he had shouted.

Amara looked down at the black folder resting on her lap.

The marriage contract suddenly felt different.

A few minutes ago, fifty million naira had looked like a miracle.

Now it looked like a trap.

"I want to go home," she whispered.

Damian looked toward her apartment building.

"You can."

Amara reached for the door handle.

"But before you leave, understand something. The contract isn't an obligation. You can walk away."

She paused.

"Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because I need you to understand what you're agreeing to."

He took the folder from her and opened it.

"You would live in my house for six months. We would appear publicly as husband and wife. There would be no interference in your personal life, and I would take care of your mother's medical expenses."

Amara's eyes widened.

"You know about my mother?"

"Yes."

"How much do you know about me?"

"Enough."

She didn't like that answer.

"What happens after six months?"

"We divorce."

"And that's it?"

"That is the agreement."

Amara studied his face.

"You don't love me."

Damian gave a quiet laugh.

"No."

The bluntness stung, even though she didn't know why.

"Good," she said. "Because I don't love you either."

Something flickered across his face.

"Then we understand each other."

Amara reached for the contract.

"Give me until tomorrow."

Damian nodded.

"Midday."

She frowned.

"Why so soon?"

"Because I have a family meeting tomorrow night."

"And?"

"They expect me to announce my fiancée."

Amara stared at him.

"You haven't even asked me properly."

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"Would you like me to?"

She almost smiled.

"No."

"Good."

He opened the door for her.

Amara stepped out, then turned around.

"One more question."

Damian waited.

"Why did you choose me?"

For the first time that night, he didn't answer immediately.

His eyes became distant.

"Because you are the only woman who can do this without wanting my money."

Amara looked at the folder.

"You're wrong about that."

Damian smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

She walked toward her apartment.

After taking a few steps, she heard him call her name.

"Amara."

She turned.

"If you accept, your life will never be the same."

She looked at the billionaire sitting inside the black car.

"Neither will yours."

Then she disappeared into the building.

The next morning, Amara woke up before sunrise.

She barely slept.

The contract was lying on the small table beside her bed.

Fifty million naira.

Six months.

A fake marriage.

It sounded ridiculous.

But then she remembered the hospital.

Her mother's weak voice.

The unpaid bills.

The landlord's warning.

Amara picked up the contract.

Her hands trembled.

She had spent her entire life surviving without anyone's help.

Maybe this was her chance to change everything.

Her phone suddenly rang.

It was the hospital.

"Hello?"

"Is this Amara Williams?"

"Yes."

"We need to discuss your mother's outstanding payment."

Amara closed her eyes.

"I know."

"We can only continue her treatment once the required deposit is made."

Her throat tightened.

"How much?"

The amount was more than she had in her account.

After ending the call, Amara stared at the contract for several seconds.

Then she picked up a pen.

Her heart pounded as she signed her name.

AMARA WILLIAMS.

The moment the ink touched the paper, her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number appeared.

You should not have accepted his offer.

Amara froze.

Another message arrived.

You have no idea who Damian Blackwood really is.

Her fingers went cold.

Then a final message appeared.

Leave him before it's too late.

Amara slowly looked toward the window.

Across the street, a black car was parked.

Someone was sitting inside.

Watching her.

Her phone slipped from her hand.

And for the first time, Amara wondered if marrying Damian Blackwood had just been the biggest mistake of her life.