BENEATH THE CONTRACT BRIDE

r. The biting wintry gust gnawed at her cheeks, making them flushed pink. Her fingers, clutching a folder filled with reject

glossy bylines appearing in weighty magazines, but today she couldn't boast of that- running finis

he night before. "Don't worry about us, s

ion fees for her younger sister Sophia; and their family home was just a missed payment from foreclo

fore her, cross-tech tower stood like a fortress, its glowing façade shimmering under the midday

he had a mee

s overlooked a brilliant vista of the city's skyline. Emma felt slightly out of place in her scuffed

icy attitude, who looked at Emma and said nothing for judging Emma's condit

n elevator, which took her to the top floor. When the doors opened, she took a step into

l, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his angular features could have b

reath catch. "Ms. Clarke," he said, his voice smooth and measured, with

feeling as though her knees would buckle beneath her at that moment. "Mr. Cro

her folder like a lifeline. He lowered himself into the chair opposite her, his movements controll

n at last leaning back in his chair. His tone sounded very ca

ell, yes, I was surprised. We don't r

read your work, Ms. Clarke. You have a talent for getting to the heart of a story. And while y

er articles let alone found value in them was almost absurd. "Thanks for

odded. "I have a p

owed. "What kind

the desk, his expression

ous and impossible. Emma stared at h

"A one-year temporary, purely contractual arrangement, after which I

nd had shifted beneath her.

which concern you. What you need to know is that this arrangement benefits us both. You ne

nancial salvation for her family. Her father's deteriorating health flashed in her mind. So

?" at last,

ithout ties to my world. That makes you less likely to betray me. And, frankly

a took in a shaky breath. "You're asking me to forgo a year o

, "but of course, you're free to decline. Just think about i

fact that he was right, like he could see straight to her weaknesse

hook," she a

s. "There are always downsides, Ms. Clarke. But for now, all you need t

ted to say no; to walk out of this office and never look back. But the image of her

have to decid

out it. I need your answer by tomorrow." Raising a hand, Emma stood there for a sec

ain. Adrian went back to the window once again, with a mild gaze now as the door closed behind Emma. He gaze

etermination that made it interesting for him. Adrian Cross was one who never believed in love or sentimentality. He lived in

rt of him wondered if he had miscalculated her so much. Because one of the things