Seren Locke signed the papers with a steady hand, even though her chest felt tight.
The pen did not shake. She made sure of that.
Across the long glass table, the lawyer watched her closely, as if waiting for doubt. Seren gave him none. She signed the last page, slid the file forward, and leaned back in her chair.
"It's done," she said.
The lawyer nodded slowly. "Once Mr. Vale signs, the contract marriage becomes official. There is no turning back."
Seren already knew that. She had memorized every line of the contract weeks ago. She knew what she was giving up. She also knew what she would gain.
The door to the meeting room opened without a knock.
Alaric Vale walked in.
The room shifted the moment he entered. Not because he was loud, but because he wasn't. He moved with calm control, his dark suit perfectly fitted, his expression unreadable. His presence filled the space in a quiet, heavy way.
Seren lifted her eyes to him for the first time.
This was the man who destroyed her family.
Alaric's gaze flicked to her face, paused for half a second, then moved away. No curiosity. No interest. To him, she was just part of a deal.
"Are we done?" he asked.
"Yes," the lawyer replied quickly. "Miss Locke has signed."
Alaric walked to the table and picked up the contract. He skimmed it without sitting down. Seren noticed how fast his eyes moved. He had read this before. He was only checking for changes.
"There are none," Seren said.
Alaric finally looked at her again. This time, his eyes stayed.
"You're confident," he said. "That's rare."
"I don't see the point in hesitation," she replied.
That was not entirely true. But she would never show it.
Alaric gave a faint nod and signed his name. His signature was sharp and decisive. When he was done, he closed the file and handed it back to the lawyer.
"Prepare the announcement," he said. "The wedding will be small. Private."
The lawyer stood up immediately. "Of course. I'll handle everything."
As the lawyer left, silence settled between them.
Seren kept her posture straight. She had practiced this moment many times in her head. Still, standing alone with Alaric Vale felt different. He was closer now. Too close.
"You understand the rules," Alaric said. "This marriage is not real."
"I know," Seren replied.
"No emotions. No interference in my business. You will play your role in public and stay out of my way in private."
Seren met his eyes. "And you will fund the Locke Foundation, as agreed."
Alaric's lips curved slightly. "You're very focused on that foundation."
"It matters to me."
He studied her for a moment longer, then turned toward the door. "Good. Get in the car. We're leaving."
Seren blinked. "Leaving where?"
"My house," he said, as if it were obvious. "You're my wife now. You don't live alone anymore."
The words hit harder than she expected.
She stood and followed him out, reminding herself to breathe.
The drive was silent. The city lights passed by the tinted windows as the car moved through private roads and security gates. Seren watched everything carefully. She memorized routes, guards, cameras. Old habits never died.
Alaric didn't look at her once.
His mansion rose from the dark like something unreal. Tall, modern, cold. Seren stepped out of the car and felt a strange weight settle in her chest.
This was enemy territory.
Inside, the house was quiet. Too quiet. Staff moved silently, avoiding eye contact. Alaric led her upstairs and stopped in front of two doors.
"This one is yours," he said, opening the door on the left. "Mine is next door. Do not enter without permission."
Seren nodded. "Understood."
As he turned to leave, she spoke before she could stop herself.
"Why me?"
Alaric paused.
"There were other women who would have agreed," she continued carefully. "Women with stronger backgrounds. Better connections."
He looked over his shoulder. "They would have wanted something more."
"And I don't?"
"You want money," he said simply. "And silence."
That was true. Or at least, part of it.
He walked away, leaving her alone in the massive bedroom.
Seren closed the door and leaned against it, finally allowing herself to exhale. Her hands clenched at her sides.
She had done it.
She was inside the Vale empire.
Her phone vibrated softly in her pocket.
A single message appeared on the screen.
You're in. Be careful. He's more dangerous than you think.
Seren stared at the message, then deleted it.
She walked to the window and looked down at the lights below. Somewhere in this house were files, secrets, and answers she had waited years for.
She touched the ring on her finger.
"Just a little longer," she whispered.
Next door, Alaric stood in his own room, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
He loosened his tie, his expression dark.
"You should have said no," he muttered.
Because for the first time in a long time, something about this arrangement felt wrong.
And Alaric Vale did not like mistakes.