Terms Of The Pact

Amelia Carter had barely slept the night after her meeting with Lucas Blackwood. The decision she had made, to marry a man she barely knew for a year, weighed heavily on her mind. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered if she had made the right choice. She had agreed to the deal with Lucas, but now that it was official, the reality of it was sinking in.

Her father's health was deteriorating quickly, and the mounting debts at the art gallery were threatening to destroy everything they had worked for. The thought of losing it all, of letting her father down, pushed her to go through with this strange and uncomfortable agreement. Still, the fact that she was about to enter into a business-like marriage with a billionaire felt surreal. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew one thing for sure her life was about to change forever.

The next day, Amelia found herself at Lucas's office again, but this time it was different. She wasn't there as a confused woman trying to understand an offer. She was there as his fiancée, ready to sign the contract that would bind her to him for a year. She had no illusions about what this arrangement was this was not a love story; it was a transaction.

Lucas greeted her with his usual calm demeanor as she entered the room. He didn't seem surprised by her presence, nor did he offer any sympathy or comfort. Everything about him was precise and controlled, like a man who had planned every detail of his life down to the smallest degree.

"Miss Carter," Lucas said, his voice steady as always. "I trust you've had time to think over our arrangement?"

Amelia nodded, though her heart was pounding. "Yes, I've thought about it a lot. And I'm ready to proceed."

Lucas didn't say anything in response. Instead, he gestured toward the large oak desk in the center of the room, where a pile of paperwork lay. He slid one of the documents toward her.

"This is the official contract," he said. "It includes all the terms of our agreement. I suggest you read through it carefully before signing."

Amelia hesitated, her eyes scanning the pages. The contract was as cold and impersonal as she had expected. There were no romantic promises, no flowery words. It was business through and through.

She took a deep breath and began reading.

The Terms of the Pact:

1. Duration of Marriage:

The marriage would last for exactly one year, beginning on the day of the ceremony. After the year was up, the marriage would be considered null and void, with no further obligations on either side.

2. Responsibilities of Amelia Carter:

As Lucas's wife, Amelia would be expected to:

Appear with him at all major social events, business meetings, and public gatherings.

Maintain the image of a loving, supportive wife at all times, regardless of personal feelings.

Keep their personal lives private and avoid any public conflicts or scandals.

3. Responsibilities of Lucas Blackwood:

In exchange for Amelia's cooperation, Lucas would:

Cover all of her father's medical expenses, ensuring the best possible care.

Pay off all debts related to the art gallery, ensuring that it would remain open and thriving.

Provide Amelia with a generous financial allowance, including monthly payments to cover her living expenses, a private home, and any additional needs she might have during the duration of the marriage.

4. No Emotional Attachment:

Both parties agreed not to develop any romantic feelings or emotional attachments to each other. The relationship was to remain strictly professional, with no expectations beyond the agreed-upon terms.

5. Privacy and Discretion:

Both parties were required to keep the details of their marriage and personal lives private. There would be no interviews, no media coverage beyond what was necessary for their public appearances. Any violation of this privacy clause would result in the immediate termination of the agreement, with consequences for both parties.

6. Termination Clause:

In the event that either party decided to end the arrangement before the one-year period was complete, a penalty clause was included. Amelia would lose all financial support for her father and the gallery, and Lucas would no longer be obligated to help her in any way.

Amelia's eyes lingered on the last clause. The penalty was steep, and she understood why. If she broke the agreement, it would not only affect her but also her father's well-being and the future of the gallery. She didn't have the luxury of backing out. She had to see this through, no matter how uncomfortable or unnatural it felt.

She put the contract down for a moment and looked up at Lucas, who was watching her closely. His face was unreadable, but his posture remained confident. He wasn't just a businessman; he was a man who was used to getting what he wanted, and right now, he was in control.

"This is a lot to take in," she said, her voice shaky despite her efforts to remain calm. "Are you sure about all of this? I mean, I get the business side of things, but why do you need this marriage? You could get a better wife, someone who actually wants to be with you."

Lucas's gaze didn't waver. He leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the desk. "I don't need a wife, Miss Carter. I need a partnership. Someone who will play the part and keep things quiet. This arrangement benefits both of us. You get the financial support you need for your father and the gallery, and I get the image of a stable, happy marriage that will keep my business dealings smooth. There's no room for emotions in this. This is purely transactional."

Amelia swallowed hard, her hands shaking slightly as she picked up the pen. "I just don't know if I can handle this. Living with someone I barely know, pretending everything is fine when it's not…"

"I understand your concerns," Lucas said, his tone softer than usual. "But this is the reality of the situation. The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be. We don't have to like each other. We just have to make this work."

She stared at the pen in her hand for a long moment, the weight of her decision pressing down on her. This wasn't the life she had imagined for herself. She had always dreamed of love, of meeting someone who would care for her deeply, not a man who saw her as a business arrangement. But there was no other option. Her father needed her. The gallery needed her. And Lucas was the only person who could help.

With a deep breath, she signed the contract, her name flowing across the page. She signed away her freedom for a year, agreeing to live a life that wasn't her own. But at least her father would be safe, and the gallery would survive.

Lucas took the contract from her and gave her a small nod of approval. "Good. The arrangements will be made, and we'll move forward as planned."

Amelia stood up slowly, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "I'll do my part. I just hope this doesn't break me."

Lucas's eyes softened ever so slightly. "It won't. You'll find that we're both very good at keeping our emotions in check."

Amelia gave a stiff nod, trying to steady the chaos swirling inside her. As she turned to leave, the door behind her opened abruptly, and a figure stepped into the room. She froze in her tracks, her pulse quickening.

It was a woman, tall and poised, with an air of familiarity about her. Amelia's stomach twisted with unease as the woman's eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that felt all too knowing.

"I see we're getting acquainted," the woman said coolly, her gaze flicking between Amelia and Lucas.

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. She had no idea who this woman was, but the way Lucas stiffened at her arrival told Amelia everything she needed to know. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

And just like that, Amelia's world tilted, leaving her wondering what had she truly walked into?