Chapter 1: The Price of a Life
The hospital corridor smelled of antiseptic and death. Elena sat on the cold plastic chair, her hands trembling as she stared at the medical bill in her lap. $50,000. That was the price of her father's life.
"You have twenty-four hours, Miss Miller," the doctor's voice was devoid of emotion. "Without the surgery, your father won't make it through the night."
Elena felt like the walls were closing in. She had nothing. Her bank account was empty, and her relatives had turned their backs on her.
"Looking desperate, aren't we, Elena?"
She looked up to see Mark, her ex-fiancé, standing there with a smirk. He had cheated on her and stolen her family business. "I can give you the money," he leaned in, his breath smelling of expensive wine. "Just spend one night with me for old times' sake."
Slap!
Elena's hand stung, but her heart burned hotter. "Get out, Mark. I'd rather die."
"Fine. Let's see how your father dies too," Mark sneered and walked away.
Elena collapsed to her knees, sobbing silently. Suddenly, the chaotic noise of the hospital vanished. The rhythmic click of expensive leather shoes echoed against the floor. A cold, commanding aura filled the air.
A pair of polished black shoes stopped right in front of her.
"Stand up, Elena Miller," a deep, gravelly voice commanded.
Elena looked up. It was Alexander Sterling. The man known as the 'Ice King' of the business world. A billionaire whose face was on every magazine, but whose heart was rumored to be made of stone.
"Mr. Sterling?" she whispered, wiping her tears. "What are you doing here?"
"I have a deal for you," Alexander said, his dark eyes scanning her tear-stained face. He pulled out a check for $100,000. "I will pay for your father's surgery, and I will ruin Mark's life for you."
Elena gasped, hope flickering in her chest. "Why? What do you want in return?"
Alexander leaned down, his face inches from hers. "I need a wife to secure my position as the CEO. Marry me. Sign a one-year contract. In return, I'll give you everything you need."
"A... contract marriage?"
"Yes," he replied coldly. "No love, no feelings. Just a signature. Do we have a deal?"
Elena looked at the surgery room, then at the check. She had no choice. "Deal."
Chapter 2: The Devil's Ink
The next morning, Elena found herself standing in front of a massive mahogany desk in the penthouse of Sterling Tower. Alexander sat behind the desk, looking like a king on his throne.
He pushed a thick document toward her. "Read it. Carefully."
Elena picked up the contract. Her eyes widened as she read the clauses:
• The marriage shall last exactly 365 days.
• The wife will attend all public events and act as a loving spouse.
• Physical intimacy is not required unless specified for public appearances.
• Private lives must remain separate.
• Infidelity or falling in love is a breach of contract.
"Is there a problem?" Alexander asked, his voice sharp.
"You... you really want us to act like we love each other in public?" Elena asked, her voice small.
"The world must believe you are the only woman who ever captured my heart," Alexander said, standing up. He walked toward her, his tall frame towering over her. "But remember, Elena. This is a business transaction. Don't mistake my protection for affection."
Elena felt a shiver run down her spine. He was handsome, undeniably so, but he was also dangerous.
"I understand," she said, picking up the pen.
Just as she was about to sign, the office door flew open. A glamorous woman stormed in. "Alexander! You can't be serious about marrying this... this nobody!"
It was Sophia, a famous model and Alexander's long-time rumored girlfriend. She looked at Elena with pure hatred.
Alexander didn't even look at Sophia. He kept his eyes on Elena. "Sign it, Elena. Now. Or the check for your father's surgery will be cancelled."
Sophia gasped. "You're buying a wife?"
Elena's hand shook. She realized she wasn't just entering a marriage; she was entering a war zone. But then she pictured her father's face.
With a firm grip, she signed her name on the dotted line.
Alexander took the paper and smirked—a cold, victorious smile. "Welcome to the family, Mrs. Sterling. Now, get ready. Our wedding is in two hours."
Chapter 3: The Golden Cage
The wedding was a whirlwind of camera flashes and expensive champagne. By the time the sun set, Elena was no longer a desperate girl in a hospital hallway—she was Mrs. Alexander Sterling.
A sleek black limousine pulled up in front of a massive estate. "Your new home," Alexander said, his voice as cold as the night air.
The mansion was breathtaking, but to Elena, it felt like a golden cage. Inside, servants bowed as they passed. Alexander led her to a grand master bedroom.
"Where will I sleep?" Elena asked, glancing at the king-sized bed.
"Here," Alexander replied, unbuttoning his tuxedo jacket. "The staff and my grandfather's spies are everywhere. We share a room, but we don't share a bed. You can have the left side, or the sofa. I don't care."
Elena bit her lip. "Alexander, why me? You could have picked any socialite or model."
Alexander stopped and turned to her, his gaze intense. "Because you were desperate. And desperate people are easy to control. You have no power to defy me."
He stepped closer, pinning her against the door. His scent—a mix of expensive cologne and sandalwood—clouded her senses. For a second, Elena thought he was going to kiss her. Her heart raced.
Instead, he reached past her and grabbed a file from the shelf. "Don't get any ideas, Elena. This marriage is a shield for me, and a survival for you. Nothing more."
He walked into the dressing room, leaving Elena shivering in her silk wedding dress. She realized then that Alexander Sterling didn't just want a wife—he wanted a ghost who lived in his house.
Chapter 4: The First Confrontation
The next morning, the headlines were filled with their wedding photos. Elena was branded as the "Cinderella of the Century." But the reality was far from a fairytale.
As she walked down the grand staircase for breakfast, she heard a loud crash from the dining hall.
"I won't accept this, Alexander! She's a gold-digger!"
Elena froze. Standing at the table was an elderly man with a cane—Alexander's grandfather, the patriarch of the Sterling family. Beside him stood Sophia, the model from the office, looking smug.
"Grandfather, she is my wife. That is all you need to know," Alexander said calmly, sipping his coffee.
"Wife? She looks like she belongs in a charity ward!" the old man barked. He turned his sharp eyes toward Elena. "You! Girl! How much did you trick my grandson for?"
Elena's blood boiled. She might be poor, but she had her pride. She walked straight to the table and looked the old man in the eye.
"I didn't trick anyone, Mr. Sterling," Elena said, her voice steady. "Alexander asked me to marry him, and I accepted. If you want to talk about money, ask your grandson why he thinks I'm worth billions."
Alexander's eyebrows shot up. A flicker of amusement passed through his dark eyes. No one ever talked back to his grandfather.
"How dare you!" Sophia hissed. "You're just a temporary replacement!"
"Enough," Alexander stood up, his presence suffocating the room. He walked over to Elena and unexpectedly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Elena is a Sterling now. If you insult her, you insult me."
His touch was warm, sending a jolt through Elena's body. For a moment, she almost believed his lie.
"We are leaving," Alexander announced. As they walked out, he whispered harshly in her ear, "Well played, Elena. But don't let that backbone of yours get too big. Remember who owns you."
Chapter 5: The Mask Falls
A week had passed. Alexander invited Elena to the most prestigious charity gala of the year. "Tonight, you are not just my wife," Alexander said while handing her a diamond necklace that cost more than her father's life. "You are my queen. Act like it."
At the gala, Elena was the center of attention. But the peace didn't last long. Mark, her treacherous ex-boyfriend, appeared out of the shadows, looking drunk and dangerous.
"So, this is how you did it?" Mark sneered, loud enough for others to hear. "You sold yourself to the highest bidder, Elena? Alexander, do you know your 'pure' wife was begging me for money just last week?"
The room went silent. Cameras turned toward them. Elena's face went pale. She felt the old shame crawling back.
But before Mark could say another word, Alexander stepped forward. Instead of being angry at Elena, he looked at Mark with deadly calm.
"I know everything about her past, Mark," Alexander said, his voice echoing like thunder. "Including how you stole her business and left her father to die. That's why, as of ten minutes ago, I bought your company. You're bankrupt. Security, throw this trash out."
As Mark was dragged away screaming, Alexander turned to Elena. For the first time, his eyes weren't cold. He reached out and squeezed her hand.
"I told you," he whispered. "I protect what is mine."
In that moment, Elena realized the contract was becoming real. The line between business and love was starting to blur.
Chapter 6: More Than a Signature (The Ending)
Six months had passed. Elena's father was healthy again, and the contract was halfway through. But the atmosphere in the Sterling mansion had changed. There were no more cold shoulders, only long glances and unsaid words.
One night, Elena found Alexander in his study, staring at the contract.
"The year isn't over yet," Elena said softly. "Why are you looking at that?"
Alexander looked up. His tired eyes searched hers. "I'm tearing it up, Elena."
Elena's heart sank. "You... you want me to leave early?"
"No," Alexander stood up and walked toward her, pulling her into his arms. "I'm tearing it up because I don't want a contract wife anymore. I want a real one. I thought I could control everything with money, but I couldn't control my heart."
He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "I fell for my own trap, Elena. I love you. Stay with me, not because of a deal, but because you want to."
Elena felt tears of joy prickling her eyes. She had entered this deal to save a life, but she had ended up finding her own. She reached up and touched his face.
"I think I tore up my heart the day I signed that paper, Alexander. I love you too."
Alexander kissed her—a kiss that wasn't for the cameras or the spies, but for them. The 'Ice King' had finally melted, and the 'Cinderella' had found a home that was no longer a cage.
[THE END]
