Aria's pov
The moment Lucian's words left his mouth, the air in the office turned thick and suffocating.
I stared at him, trying to decipher the best response to his insult,does he think I'm a whore?
My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought it would crack them.
I stood up so fast the chair scraped back. The stack of files in my lap tumbled to the floor, papers scattering across the room
"You want me to be your whore?" The words came out sharper than I meant, trembling with rage.
Lucian didn't flinch. "I want a wife who understands the terms. You need money and protection while I need discretion and a certain image. It's a mere transaction, Miss Thorne. Nothing more."
"Nothing more?" I laughed, bitter and broken. "You want me to spread my legs for you whenever you snap your fingers, and call it a transaction?"
He tilted his head slightly. "If that's how you choose to frame it."
I felt the heat of humiliation crawl up my neck. My hands shook as I grabbed my bag. "Go to hell."
I stormed out, heels clicking like gunfire on marble. The assistant outside jumped when I flung the doors open but I didn't look back, I didn't care who saw the tears burning in my eyes.
I took the stairs,two at a time down to the lobby, ignoring the stares, the whispers as I left the office building.
I didn't go home. I couldn't anyway so I went straight to Andre's place.
He opened the door before I knocked, eyes widening at my face. "Aria? What happened?"
I pushed past him, dropping my bag on the couch. "Lucian Voss wants to marry me apparently"
Andre blinked. "Wait seriously?"
"For two years,he offered to settle the loan sharks and also pay the loan I got from the mortgage,but in exchange…" My voice
cracked. "I have to live with him.He wants me to be nothing but a kept wife and a sex toy."
Andre exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face,he sat down beside me. "Jesus."
I buried my face in my hands, "He said it like he was ordering coffee,like it was nothing."
Andre was quiet for a long time,too long.
I looked up. "Say something."
He sighed. "I don't love the idea Aria, I hate it, honestly. But we have to look on the bright side,I know marriages like this exist,not always this extreme, but close.
Powerful men need arm candy, a stable image, someone who won't talk and most importantly women in desperate situations. He's probably using you for public appearances, boardroom optics.
The sex part…" He grimaced. "It's ugly. But if he honors the debt relief and keeps the sharks away, it could buy you time to rebuild Aria."
I stared at him. "You're telling me to sell my body?"
"I'm telling you to survive, Aria." His voice softened. "You're one day from a midnight deadline. They threatened to come back. And if they do, I don't want to lose you."
Anger flared hot in my chest. "So I should just spread my legs for a man who sees me as a contract clause?"
Andre winced. "I didn't say that. I only said you should think about it realistically, what other options do you have?."
I stood up, shaking. "I'm not doing it. I won't."
I grabbed my bag and walked out.
*****
The next day, I didn't go to work,not if I was going to be objectified.
Andre pleaded with me over breakfast. "Aria, just show up.You can talk to him and try to negotiate the terms."
"No." I crossed my arms. "I'm done being anyone's toy."
He sighed but didn't push harder.
By late afternoon, I was curled on his couch, staring at nothing, when my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.I opened the message.
A video of Andre popped up, he was walking out of his office yesterday, unaware of the camera.
I scrolled down then saw the text,"Your friend is first then we take our time with you. Midnight has passed. Pay, or we collect in blood."
My hands shook so hard the phone almost fell. I read it again and again as if the texts would disappear.
They knew where he worked and they probably knew that I'm crashing at his place.
I stood up, vision blurring with tears. I grabbed my coat, my bag and my keys and ran out of the apartment . The only thought on my mind was how to save Andre.
The cab ride to Voss Enterprises felt eternal. I kept refreshing the message, praying it was a bluff.
I burst out of the cab just as a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the curb. Lucian stepped out, coat draped over his arm, already turning to leave.
"Lucian!"
He paused, turning slowly.
I ran toward him, heels slipping on the wet pavement. I didn't stop until I was right in front of him.
Then I dropped to my knees right there on the sidewalk.
People stared but I didn't care.
"Please," I whispered, voice breaking.
"Please let me sign the contract. I'll do it,all of it."
Lucian looked down at me, expression unreadable.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he reached down, fingers curling under my chin, tilting my face up.
"Get up."
I stood on trembling legs.
He studied me another second, then nodded toward the building.
"Inside."
We rode the private elevator in silence. My heart pounded so loud I thought he could hear it.
In his office, he pulled out a slim black folder from his desk drawer and slid it across the desk.
I picked up the pen,my hand shaking as
I read the clause again,about sexual submission and full marital duties.
I hesitated for a moment,but the photo of Andre flashed in my mind. I wasn't going to be the reason he got hurt.
I reluctantly signed my name . It was just two years, I'll choose hell with him rather than losing Andre.
Lucian took the pen from my fingers. Signed his name below mine with a single, elegant stroke.
He closed the folder and set it aside.
Then he stepped around the desk, closing the distance until he was right in front of me.
His hand cupped my jaw, thumb brushing my lower lip.
"You're finally mine, Aria Thorne."