black leather cover gleamed against the dull wooden tab

ces and scatter them into the night. But deep down, she knew destructio

smooth and commanding: "Marry me. For one year. At

was freedom. Peace. The ability to live a quiet life without constantly

from her thoughts. She snatched it up, rel

racked as she pres

d worse than yesterday. The hospital bills, the treatments,

asked softly, fighting th

much. I heard from the doctor... if I don't start the new med

e didn't need him to fi

e weight of reality pressed against her chest. Adrian's words rang louder no

er voice breaking, "I'll figure

ke, she realized sh

-

art pounding so hard she thought it might burst. The marble floors gleamed under th

ty guard at the desk recognized her. "

ing her. Of course he was. Adria

ate she didn't want. When the doors finally opened, she stepped out into a world that s

door stoo

ty skyline behind him. He didn't look surprised to see her. If anything

," he sai

hard. "I didn'

don't like wasting time." He gestured

. The leather seat sank beneath her, making

Marriage Agreement" glared at her in bold letters.

have to d

n't reach for it. "Why me?" she a

ghtly, but he leaned back.

artled her.

werful family. You don't come with strings attached. And..." his gaze dro

she couldn't deny it. He

year?" she asked, he

e ever dreamed," he replied. "An

hat is

eld something unreadable. "A wife. In name

love. No promises. No f

refuse, to run far away. But her father's weary voice ech

ked up

ed, satisfaction flickering across his face. He didn't stop her. H

was complete, she set the pe

expression unreadable. "C

ke a chain wrappi