The Contracted Heart

e stood there, holding the keys to her new apartment, she re

elf, frustration bubbling up inside her. She

but she hadn't saved it. After searching through her phone,

tried again, only to have the call rejecte

nize the number and, annoyed, he ended the call and blocked it. The

was Damien's number, but now he had blocked her. She w

umber-the elderly man who had come to her flower shop and arranged this entire situation. H

Elena c

hope you're doing well," Elena sa

nt. How was the wedding between you and my grandso

," Elena replied, trying to mask the con

rriage had taken place. But then, Elen

mber. I've tried calling him, but he won't answer. Can you

Arthur responded before hanging up.

e hadn't been planning to take any calls while on the road, but Arth

s up?" Damien asked, t

She's been trying to reach you, but her calls keep getting blocked.

s from Elena. He had forgotten to save her nu

n replied curtly, his

er know the truth-that he was a billionaire. He had to maintain his facade as a man with modest means. Hi

alled Elena back

rd Arthur's voice again. "It's Hou

ing a wave of relief wash ove

t. It was more than she expected, but it lacked proper furniture. Damien hadn'

ht help set it up a little. "I have to do something for him," she tho

made bed in the other room and lay on it for a moment, letting the soft sheets comf

to an important family meeting, but news of his marriage had alre

just business," Damien had convinced himself. He didn't want anyo

e thought. "It's not love. It's

lena to ensure his position as the rightful heir to the Sinclair empire. Yet, d

he was legally married. The room grew quiet as the document was passed around. Some nodded

You married someone of lower class? This is not the kind of match the Sinclair name d

wasn't about to back down now. "This was my decision," he said firml

ut the Sinclair legacy? This woman-she can't even understand

ices filled with skepticism. But Damien didn't flinch.

uthority that silenced the room. "We've had our doubts, but this is his choice. The marriage has

with a sense of resignation, but none dared to challenge his decision further. The final

mixture of relief and unease. He had secured what he needed, but the

rything that had happened. She was now married to a stranger, a man she barely knew

op's rent, and ensured that Jake could continue his treatment. She didn't know if she could ev