A Deal with the Devil

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her thoughts. She knew she had to make a decision soon. The weight of her failing company sat heavily on her chest, threatening to crush he

heart. Theresa sat at her small kitchen table, her fingers wrapped around a mug of lukewarm coffee

eci

ng the right decision

it. A marriage of convenience a contract, a business deal wrapped up in a package that would likely come with strings

e city moved in its usual frenetic rhythm. People rushing to their jobs, taxis honking in the streets, the dist

screen again, and for a moment, Theresa hesitated. She had a choice ignore him and face the con

nerves, she ans

ear, cool and composed as ever. "I trust y

lt nauseous. Every part of her wanted to say no, wanted to walk away from the whole

," he said, his voice almost too calm, a

d, before she cou

ote of approval slipping into his voice. "We'll meet in person later today to go over the details. Don't make any m

she forced herself to breat

er the paperwork. Be ready." Chris ended t

a thousand different thoughts what had she just agreed to? How would this affect her life, her future, and t

rying to hold herself together. She couldn't afford to break down now. She had to look compo

re were no emotional entanglements, no promises of affection. It was a business agreement, and in exchange for her "m

feeling the weight of the ink on the

r him. She had heard rumors about the man the ruthless billionaire who had built his empire with a mixture of charm, cu

eld her head high. She had made her choice

son. His eyes briefly scanned the lobby before meeting hers, and Theresa felt a sharp jolt of recognition a powerful, magneti

t smile that didn't reach his eyes.

g a smile of her o

e air around him seemed to thicken with

felt her heart race again, but this time it wasn't from fear it was from anticipation. What was this marria

eavy, charged. He seemed completely unbothered, as though the world was his

looked as though it had been designed to intimidate anyone who dared to enter. The modern décor was a star

ing table and glass walls that overlooked the twinkling city lights

a sleek desk. He walked around the desk and sat down, his eyes ne

rs clutching the armrests as s

ke, Theresa couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled deeper into his web a web that mi