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Marriage by contract

Marriage by contract

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5 Chapters
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Helena Costa is drowning in debt and desperation when her cold and enigmatic CEO, Thom Bernard, offers her a shocking solution: a marriage of convenience. For Helena, it's a chance to escape financial ruin. For Thom, it's a calculated move to protect his empire. Bound by a contract, they live as strangers in a luxurious but hollow world, each guarding their emotions. Yet, as Helena glimpses Thom's hidden vulnerability, and he's drawn to her strength, their transactional relationship begins to shift. When the truth about their marriage is exposed, and Thom's career faces ruin, Helena must decide: protect herself or stand by Thom and fight for the bond they've unexpectedly built.

Chapter 1 The Proposal

Helena Costa tightened the worn strap of her battered bag, the leather digging into her shoulder as she entered the sleek, glass-walled building of Bernard Enterprises. The polished floor reflected the intense fluorescent lights, and each step echoed like a reminder of how out of place she felt. Her sensible heels made a faint clicking sound against the marble, each noise amplifying her growing nerves. Today was not just another day enduring the exhausting routine of her mediocre job. Today, she was here to face her CEO, Thom Bernard, with a desperate request for a raise.

The debts left behind by her father hovered like a storm cloud over her life, suffocating her every thought. The bills piled up on her kitchen counter like taunts, their due dates screaming as if daring Helena to find a solution. She had spent sleepless nights pondering alternatives, but none came without a price she couldn't afford. This, however, was her last resort.

She reached the top floor, and the elevator doors opened with a soft chime. The atmosphere changed immediately. Here, the air was fresh, sterile, and charged with power. The faint hum of activity underscored the quiet confidence that defined the company's elite. At the end of the hallway stood two imposing doors: Thom Bernard's office.

Helena took a deep breath and walked toward them. She knocked twice and waited. Moments later, the doors swung open, revealing a tall man with a chiseled jawline, perfectly styled dark hair, and steely eyes. Thom Bernard-his name alone sent chills through the office gossip circuit. Ruthless. Calculating. Intimidating. And undeniably magnetic.

"Miss Costa," he greeted, his tone neutral. "Come in."

Helena entered, the luxury of the office making her fragile confidence waver. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the bustling city below, while the minimalist decor emphasized efficiency over comfort. Thom gestured to the chair across from his desk. She sat, clutching her bag as if it were an anchor.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

Helena's palms were sweaty, but she pressed on. "Mr. Bernard, thank you for seeing me. I wouldn't ask if it weren't urgent, but I... I'm in a difficult situation. My father left substantial debts, and I've been doing my best to manage them, but..." Her voice faltered under his piercing gaze. "I need a raise."

Thom's eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers steepling as he studied her. The silence stretched long enough for her to feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

"A raise," he repeated, his tone measured. "You've been with the company for... two years, correct?"

"Yes, sir," she answered quickly. "And I've worked hard. I've taken on extra tasks, stayed late when needed, and-"

He raised a hand, silencing her. "I'm aware of your performance." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "But I'm also aware of this department's financial state. Raises aren't exactly... abundant at the moment."

Helena's heart sank. She opened her mouth to protest, to plead, but his sharp gaze stopped her.

"However," he said, the word hanging like a lifeline. "There might be another solution to your problem."

Helena frowned, not understanding what he meant. "Another solution?"

Thom stood and walked to the window, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the city. "You're resourceful, Miss Costa. Determined. And, perhaps most importantly, you're not entangled in the corporate games played at this level." He turned to face her. "I need someone I can trust to fulfill a personal agreement. Someone discreet."

Helena's confusion deepened. "What kind of agreement?"

He approached the desk, his gaze piercing. "A marriage."

For a moment, she thought she had misheard. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Thom said calmly. "A marriage. Contractual, of course. It would be mutually beneficial. I need a wife to satisfy certain... expectations, both personal and professional. In return, your financial problems would be resolved."

Helena's jaw dropped. This had to be a joke, a cruel test of her desperation. But Thom's expression was as serious as ever.

"This isn't... I mean, you can't be serious," she stammered.

"I'm always serious, Miss Costa," he said softly. "Consider this a business proposal. Your debts cleared, financial stability guaranteed, and in return, you help me navigate a complicated social landscape. No emotional entanglements. Just an agreement."

Helena's thoughts raced. This was insanity. Who made such a proposal? And yet... the weight of her father's debts pressed down like a vice, the impossibility of escaping them alone crystal clear.

"I... need time to think about it," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Thom nodded. "Of course. Take the weekend. But understand that my offer isn't indefinite. I need an answer by Monday."

Helena stood, her legs trembling beneath her. As she was leaving the office, Thom's voice stopped her.

"Miss Costa."

She turned, meeting his gaze.

"Remember," he said, "every decision has a price. Make sure you're willing to pay it."

Helena spent the weekend in turmoil. Sitting at her small kitchen table, she pored over numbers that refused to add up. The proposal replayed in her mind, alternating between absurdity and temptation. Could she really agree to something so cold, so transactional? But what other choice did she have?

By Sunday night, the answer began to crystallize in her mind. This wasn't just about her debts. It was about survival. About taking control of a life that had spiraled completely out of her hands. If this was the price of freedom, perhaps it was worth paying.

When Helena entered Bernard Enterprises on Monday morning, the weight of her decision was like a stone in her chest. She rode the elevator to the top floor, each ding marking another step toward her fate. When she reached Thom's office, she paused, her hand hovering over the door.

This was it. Once she stepped inside, there would be no turning back. Taking a deep breath, she knocked and waited.

Thom's voice came from inside. "Come in."

She opened the door, her resolve hardening with each step. "Mr. Bernard," she said, meeting his steady gaze. "I've made my decision."

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