A DEAL WITH DESIRE

The last thing I, Calista, expected when I stepped into my father's luxurious study was to find my entire future sealed inside a crisp, white envelope.The air smelled like leather and cigar smoke, a constant reminder of my father's influence and power.

"Take a seat"Theodore Blackwood commanded, his tone as sharp as the polished edge of his desk.

I hesitated, my gaze flickering to the envelope resting in front of him. It bore the unmistakable crest of the Sterling family, and my stomach twisted. *Not them, please. Anyone but them.* Memories of my mother's stories about the Sterlings' ruthless business tactics and their cold, calculating personality are what provokes my unease whenever their name comes up in conversation

"I'd rather stand," I replied coolly,my face expressionless, crossing my arms over my chest.

My father's lip twitched in annoyance, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he slid the envelope across the desk toward me . "This is the best offer you'll ever get, Cass. Don't be foolish."

I stared at the envelope like it might catch fire in my hands. Slowly, reluctantly, I picked it up and broke the seal, pulling out the letter inside. As my eyes scanned the first few lines, my chest tightened.

*A marriage contract.*

A part of me knew this was what my fate was going to be, but I wasn't hoping for it to come so soon..or I didn't want it at all,I can't be used as a sacrifice for my father's business and social status hunger,not even to this family

Yet here I was, standing in my father's grand study.

"A contract?" I scoffed, holding up the document. My voice dripped with disbelief, every inch of me trembled but not from the cold "You can't be serious, Father."

Theodore didn't flinch. He never did. His icy gray eyes met mine unyielding. "I don't joke when it comes to this family, cass, You know that."

"This family?" I let out a bitter laugh. "You mean your empire. That's all this is to you, isn't it? Another business deal. Another merger."

His jaw tightened, his expression hardening into the mask he wore whenever things didn't go his way. "It's not just about you. It's about what we stand to lose if you don't hold up your end of this agreement."

I threw the contract onto his desk, the paper fluttering before settling in front of him. "You mean if I don't marry into the sterling's family you handpicked for their bank account?"

"They are not just anyone " my father replied coolly, picking up the contract with the precision of someone accustomed to power. "Luca Sterling is a man of stature, influence, and..most importantly..discretion. He's agreed to the terms. Now, it's your turn."

I felt the words slammed into my chest, but I didn't let my face betray me. *Discretion.* As if that would make it better. As if marrying a cold, calculating man would somehow erase the ruins of my wounds

"No," I said firmly. "I'm not signing anything."

My father's voice was sharp as a whip. "Then you can pack your bags and leave...You'll have no name, no protection, and no money. Do you understand?"

The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, pressing against my chest. It wasn't the first time my father had threatened to cut me off. He'd dangled that sword over my head countless times, but this felt different. Final.

I squared my shoulders, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I'd rather have nothing than tie myself to another man just to please you."

My father leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "It's not about pleasing me, Cass. It's about survival. This family has enemies, and you..whether you like it or not..are a target. Luca can protect you in ways I can't."

"Protect me?" I repeated, my voice dripping with disbelief . "You mean own me. Control me."

The silence stretched between us, crackling with tension. Finally, my father sighed, setting the contract aside. "I won't force you, Cass. But understand this, you'll regret it. The world out there isn't kind, especially to women like you. Women who think they can do it all on their own."

My lips twitched into a humorless smile. "Good. Let the world be unkind. At least it'll be honest."

With that, I turned and walked out of the study, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

As I walked out of the study, my feet felt heavy. Was I truly brave, or was I just afraid to live the life my father wanted for me? His words echoed in my mind: *you'll regret it*. Part of me wanted to ignore them, to press forward without looking back, but a small seed of doubt had already taken root.

The faint hum of a low, familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. "You should've signed it."

I turned sharply, my breath catching as Luca emerged from the shadows. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he'd been caught in the rain, and his sharp, tailored suit clung to his frame with effortless elegance. His face was unreadable, but his eyes...an unsettling shade of gray...watched me with a calm intensity.

"I didn't know you were in the habit of eavesdropping," I said, my tone sharp enough to cut.

"I wasn't eavesdropping," Luca replied, his voice low and steady. "I was waiting. For you."

My throat tightened, but I forced herself to laugh. "What? So you could try to convince me to marry you?"

"No," he said simply, stepping closer. "I wanted to see if you'd have the courage to say no."

That stopped me. I studied him, searching for some hint of sarcasm, but his expression remained infuriatingly neutral.

"And what if I did?" I asked, lifting my chin.

"Then I'd say you're braver than most people I've met," he replied. His eyes flickered, something unreadable passing through them. "But bravery doesn't always keep you safe, Cass"

I didn't respond, the words sinking into me like stones.

Luca's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "You'll come to me when you're ready. And when you do, the contract will still be waiting."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the empty corridor, my heart pounding and my mind spinning.

For the first time in years, I felt like I wasn't just running from something..I was chasing freedom, even if I didn't yet know what it looked like.