chapter 3

chapter three — the wedding contract

three days.

that was all isabella had left.

three days before she would become mrs. lucas.

she still hadn't gotten used to the idea.

every time someone mentioned the wedding, her stomach twisted.

she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, holding the silver flower necklace lucas had given her.

she hadn't taken it off since receiving it.

not because she was in love with him.

at least, that was what she kept telling herself.

there was a knock.

“come in.”

her father entered carrying a thick folder.

isabella immediately frowned.

“what is that?”

“the marriage contract.”

she stared at him.

“a contract?”

“yes.”

“is there a clause saying i can run away?”

her father gave her a look.

“izzy.”

“that means no.”

he placed the folder on her desk.

“you need to read it.”

isabella sat down.

her father opened the folder.

“the marriage will unite our families. you will live with lucas after the wedding.”

isabella swallowed.

“with him?”

“yes.”

“alone?”

“he has staff and security.”

“that wasn't what i meant.”

her father sighed.

“you won't be alone.”

isabella looked down at the pages.

there were so many words.

financial arrangements.

family obligations.

security agreements.

inheritance clauses.

she barely understood half of them.

then she saw one sentence that caught her attention.

the marriage shall remain valid for a minimum of one year before either party may seek legal dissolution.

her eyes widened.

“one year?”

her father nodded.

“so if i hate him…”

“you'll have to survive a year.”

“papa!”

he almost smiled.

then his expression became serious again.

“there is something else.”

isabella looked up.

“what?”

“lucas added his own conditions.”

“which are?”

her father turned the page.

“he doesn't want control over your personal finances.”

isabella blinked.

“what?”

“he says anything belonging to you remains yours.”

she stared at the document.

“that sounds… reasonable.”

“there is more.”

her father continued.

“he doesn't want you involved in his business.”

“that sounds even more reasonable.”

“and he wants you to finish your education.”

isabella looked at him.

“really?”

“yes.”

she looked at the contract again.

“he doesn't seem like a terrible person.”

her father gave her a strange look.

“i never said he was.”

“you called him dangerous.”

“he is.”

isabella sighed.

“that's confusing.”

“welcome to adulthood.”

she rolled her eyes.

“i'm eighteen, papa. not eighty.”

her father smiled faintly.

then he stood.

“you need to sign.”

isabella stared at the pen.

her hand trembled slightly.

this wasn't just ink on paper.

it was her future.

she thought about saying no.

she thought about running.

but then she remembered her mother's worried face.

her father's fear.

the enemies surrounding their families.

and lucas's calm voice.

some things are bigger than what we want.

she picked up the pen.

and signed.

across the city, lucas was sitting behind his desk.

the marriage contract lay before him.

adrian stood nearby.

“you're actually doing this.”

lucas didn't look up.

“yes.”

“you could refuse.”

“no.”

adrian studied him.

“why?”

lucas finally raised his eyes.

“because refusing would put isabella's family at greater risk.”

adrian nodded.

“that makes sense.”

then he smiled.

“but there's another reason.”

lucas's expression hardened.

“don't.”

“you're curious about her.”

lucas leaned back.

“curiosity isn't a reason to marry someone.”

“no. but it's a reason to stop pretending you don't care.”

lucas said nothing.

adrian chuckled.

“you're thirty years old, lucas. you've rejected every woman your family tried to introduce you to.”

“because i didn't want them.”

“and now?”

lucas looked at the contract.

“i don't know her.”

“but you want to.”

lucas's jaw tightened.

“yes.”

adrian's smile widened.

“finally.”

lucas threw a pen at him.

adrian caught it.

“violence won't change the truth.”

“leave.”

“yes, boss.”

adrian walked toward the door.

before leaving, he turned.

“oh, and the wedding is saturday.”

“i know.”

“try not to scare the bride.”

lucas looked at him.

“i don't scare people.”

adrian laughed.

“that's literally your entire reputation.”

the door closed.

lucas looked back at the contract.

at the bottom of the final page was isabella's signature.

small.

careful.

almost delicate.

he stared at it longer than necessary.

then he closed the folder.

the next morning, isabella woke up to chaos.

her bedroom door opened.

her cousin sofia rushed inside.

“you're getting married!”

isabella screamed.

“get out!”

sofia laughed.

“you're marrying lucas!”

“i know!”

“do you love him?”

“no!”

“do you like him?”

“no.”

sofia narrowed her eyes.

“do you think he's handsome?”

isabella paused.

“…maybe.”

sofia gasped dramatically.

“i knew it!”

“it's not a crime to have eyes!”

sofia jumped onto the bed.

“what did he say to you?”

“nothing.”

“nothing?”

“he gave me a necklace.”

sofia's eyes widened.

“he gave you jewelry?”

“keep your voice down!”

“isabella!”

“what?”

“he likes you!”

“he doesn't.”

“how do you know?”

“because he told me he doesn't want a wife who is forced to smile at him.”

sofia stared at her.

“that actually sounds romantic.”

“it wasn't.”

“it definitely was.”

isabella grabbed a pillow.

“stop.”

sofia laughed.

“you're blushing again.”

“i hate you.”

“i love you too.”

that afternoon, lucas arrived again.

this time, isabella was prepared.

she wore a simple blue dress and the flower necklace.

when lucas entered the room, his eyes immediately fell on the pendant.

“you wore it.”

isabella touched it.

“you gave it to me.”

“i didn't know if you'd keep it.”

“why wouldn't i?”

he shrugged.

“some people don't like gifts from strangers.”

she looked at him.

“you're not a stranger anymore.”

lucas paused.

something changed in his expression.

“what am i?”

isabella thought.

“my future husband.”

the words sounded strange when she said them.

lucas seemed to think so too.

neither spoke for several seconds.

finally, he said,

“are you nervous?”

“yes.”

“about the wedding?”

“yes.”

“about me?”

she hesitated.

“yes.”

lucas nodded.

“good.”

her eyes widened.

“good?”

“it means you're honest.”

“that wasn't what i expected you to say.”

“i don't want you pretending to be comfortable around me.”

she looked down.

“will you hurt me?”

lucas went completely still.

“no.”

his answer came immediately.

isabella looked up.

he continued.

“whatever happens between our families, whatever happens in my world, you will never be punished for something you didn't do.”

she believed him.

she didn't know why.

but she did.

lucas stood.

“i'll see you saturday.”

isabella nodded.

“lucas?”

he stopped.

“thank you.”

“for what?”

“the necklace.”

his expression softened.

“you're welcome, isabella.”

he walked away.

she watched him leave.

and for the first time, she realized something that frightened her more than the wedding itself.

she was beginning to trust him.

and trust, isabella would soon learn, could be much more dangerous than fear.

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