TRAPPED IN HIS GOLDEN CAGE

lena Carter sprinted through the downpour, her breath coming in quick, frantic gulps. Her thin jacket provided little pro

ple missed calls from her stepmother. The last message sent a col

hospital bills are past due. The

ming debt, but she had hoped for a miracle. Instead, s

y trying to keep, her fingers were numb, and her shoes squished with water. She o

r dress, her hair perfectly styled despite the storm outside. Unlike Elena, she d

rgaret remarked,

off. "I rushed here. What do

interrupted, her tone sharp. "Your father's medi

t be another option," she stammered, her vo

snapped, her eyes narrowing.

t in Margaret's expression from years of li

ately and clasped her hands. "You're

engulfed

ere became

nking she must hav

has agreed to marry you in exchange for clearing our debts. Your father's hospital bi

lood ran

der Bl

spoken of with reverence in corporate circles and fe

nted to m

. "You're bartering

Do you think anyone else would consider marrying a broke, desperate girl like

e

Yet it was the tr

or and protected her. Now, he lay in a hospital bed, struggling for his life.

y sacrifice he

efeat. "I've already told Mr. Blackwood your answer. Yo

ed. "You h

, standing up. "Your father is my husband. His deb

but what good would it do? Marga

so would Alexa

OD ENTE

g the gloomy sky. As Elena entered, her damp clothes clinging to her skin, she

ings, and men and women dressed in suits that signified succes

did

s Ca

ack suit. His expression was unreadable, his stance ri

impending destiny growing with each step. The elevator ride

doors s

indows showcasing the skyline of New York. Dark furniture an

ssive desk, his piercing gray eyes

es before; none could com

ed dark hair, a tailored black suit that clung to his tall frame. But i

it

ord. Brisk

erself into the chair across from him, her fin

r with a detached curiosity, as one

said smoothly, using a tone t

he lump in her throat. "

darkening. "What matters is this: you will become my wife. In name only.

ress. "Why me?" she managed, h

tened. "Because you're d

untness, but he was ri

ble, his gaze unwavering. "There are three

ght as he rais

fe in public-smiling, appearing

ond f

in my affairs, question

, a

belong to

s cold. His

so loudly she fear

not a p

ct. A chilling, u

f to a man who wouldn'

ant saving h

she reached for the co

oke of a pen, sh

sold her soul