A Deal with the Devil

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the paperwork was signed, and her life had officially taken a sharp turn. It felt

t Chris inhabited. The contrast between her world and his was enough to make her feel like an intruder. She couldn't help but

ntinued to operate, but Chris would handle the finances, making decisions behind the scenes. It was clear that her role was

frame. She hadn't expected to feel so out of place in his world, yet the stark, cold beauty of his home made her skin crawl. Chris had made it clear that their marri

n the walls, a grand piano in the corner, glass walls that offered sweeping views of the city. It was as if the very air in

his body, tall and imposing, cast a long shadow against the light filtering in from the city. H

e as sharp as ever. "Come in. I trust

d him. "I am. I... I've been going through some of the doc

ting, as always. "There's no need to worry. You've

words. She was a pawn in this game, she kn

e deceptively neutral. "I'm assuming you've made the nec

t I can. I've been meeting with the board, pushing for more funding... bu

rry you to watch you fail, Theresa. We're in this together

was a strange comfort in hearing him say that. She had never known a man like him, his confidence was

you'll have to let me control things for a while. You can't fight

sense of resentment stirred in her chest. But she had no power

ect from me?" Theresa asked,

you to stay in your lane. Let me handle the business side of

tion. She wasn't used to being told what to do. But there was a certain fi

ble had been set for two. "Dinner's been prepared. You'll stay her

anymore, she realized. She had entered his world, and there was no turning

company, about her upbringing, her ambitions. She told him just enough to sound interested, but it felt like a game. He didn't seem p

made her feel as though she were an open book. She fought the urge to reveal too much, to

He didn't just ask questi

e table. Chris poured two glasses, handing one to Theresa with a steady hand. His gaze lingered

e met his eyes and, for the first time, allowed herself to voice a th

" she asked, her voice

t wasn't about choosing you, Theresa. It was about choosing the

she didn't flinch. "An asset," she

ng hers. "You're more than that, though," he said quietly, though she couldn't tell if it

She wasn't sure what Chris was trying to say, but she knew one thing for certain: there was more to this marriage than just

about h