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Chapter 2

The room seemed to hold its breath.

"Yes, Mr. Kane,” Mr. Edward confirmed, his tone grave. “That is exactly what the will stipulates.”

The words hung heavy in the air, each syllable amplifying the silence that followed. Grandma Helen’s sobs broke through the stillness, her frail hands trembling as she clutched the table for support. “Alexander, please. You must do this. Your grandfather’s legacy… it cannot just vanish like that.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together. The suffocating weight of duty pressed down on his chest, but his frustration burned hotter. “I understand, Grandma. But marriage? A child? In that timeframe?”

"Think about what your grandfather built, Alexander." Grandma Helen’s voice cracked, but her gaze held firm. "This isn’t just about money—it was his life’s work, his dream. It’s our family’s foundation. You owe it to him… to all of us."

Alexander turned away, running a hand through his dark hair. The enormity of the situation bore down on him, but he refused to crumble beneath it. After a long pause, he muttered, “I need time to think.”

Mr. Edwards cleared his throat, his voice measured. “You don’t have much time, Mr. Kane. The clock is already ticking.”

Alexander exhaled sharply. “Then let it tick. Let the inheritance go. Donate it to the orphans. As if I care.”

Grandma Helen gasped, her face pale with shock. “Alexander! You cannot be serious. This is your grandfather’s legacy. His life.”

“I know, Grandma,” he replied coolly, his tone sharper now. “But I won’t be coerced into a life I don’t want. Not for money, not for legacy… not for anything.”

Her sobs deepened, but Alexander didn’t falter. He turned away, his voice lowering. “I’ll think about it. But on my terms—not his, not yours.”

Grandma Helen’s tears streaked down her cheeks as she whispered, “Just don’t let it all go to waste, Alexander. Don’t let his spirit disappear like that. Please.”

Alexander’s resolve flickered briefly as he caught the desperation in her voice. But the fire of past betrayals burned within him, hardening his heart. “I’ll figure it out,” he said flatly, then strode out of the room without another word.


That evening, Alexander sat alone in his sprawling study, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The fire in the hearth flickered, casting long shadows that seemed to mirror the chaos in his mind.

He stared at the amber liquid, his thoughts returning to the ghosts of his past—the people who had shaped him, for better or worse. Chief among them was Ariana.

Ariana. The name tasted bitter on his tongue. She had been his first great love, a fiery whirlwind who had swept into his life during his college years. She was brilliant, ambitious, and charming—a woman who seemed to match his every move. With Ariana, he had dared to dream of a future, one filled with love, a home, and even the possibility of children.

But just as he had begun planning their life together, everything fell apart. On the night of their anniversary, Alexander had gone out of his way to surprise her. He had left a multi-million-dollar deal hanging in the balance to show up at her office with flowers and take her to the city's most exclusive rooftop restaurant. It had been raining that night, and he’d arrived soaked but beaming, excited to see her face when he revealed his plans.

Instead, he found her in another man’s arms.

The memory was vivid—the way the rain blurred the edges of the scene, but not the betrayal etched on her face. Ariana hadn’t even tried to deny it. Her explanation had been cold, cutting: “I needed more, Alex. You’re good for power and status, but love? That’s not you.”

The words had destroyed him. But worse still was what came later—when he learned she had leaked their company's business strategies, which almost led to the company's bankruptcy.

It was then that Alexander vowed never to let himself be vulnerable again. Love was a weakness, and he refused to be played the fool a second time.

Yet, despite his resolve, life had a cruel way of repeating itself. Years later, he had given love another trial, hoping that perhaps someone could mend what Ariana had broken. But history repeated itself, and the betrayal cut even deeper.

This time, it had been Elena, a poised and refined woman who seemed different from Ariana. She had been everything he thought he needed: supportive, understanding, and seemingly genuine. For a time, Alexander believed he could build something real with her. He had let his guard down and allowed himself to hope.

Then, one day, Elena revealed she was pregnant. But just as his heart dared to feel joy, the truth came crashing down—the child wasn’t his.

Elena had been seeing another man the entire time, using Alexander as a convenient shield for her affair. The pain of that betrayal had solidified Alexander’s belief: love was a cruel illusion.

Now, as he sat in his study, the idea of marriage and a child felt like a sick joke. Could he truly trust anyone again? Was it even possible to find someone who wouldn’t see him as a mere stepping stone?

The door creaked open, interrupting his thoughts. James, his ever-loyal assistant, entered cautiously, his face a mix of hesitation and determination.

“Sir, if I may… I have an idea,” James began, his voice steady but unsure of Alexander’s mood.

Alexander looked up, the flicker of the fire reflecting in his cold eyes. “Speak.”

James took a breath. “What if… instead of pursuing a traditional marriage, you arranged a marriage of convenience? Someone who understands the terms—no emotions, no illusions. Just a contract to fulfill your grandfather’s will.”

Alexander’s brow arched, the idea intriguing him. “You’re suggesting I buy a wife? A name partner only?”

“Exactly,” James replied, emboldened by Alexander’s interest. “It doesn’t have to be romantic. It’s just an agreement. That way, you can meet the terms of the will without risking… personal entanglements.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, a cold smile tugging at his lips. “A marriage of convenience,” he murmured, the idea taking root in his mind. It was clean, pragmatic, and—most importantly—safe.

He stood abruptly, towering over James as his shadow loomed across the room. “Fine. You have 48 hours to find a suitable candidate. Someone who understands the deal. If you fail…” He let the threat hang in the air, his gaze cutting into James.

James swallowed hard but nodded. “Understood, sir.”

As James left the room, Alexander turned back to the fire, the flames reflecting the sharp edge of his resolve.

A marriage of convenience.

It was a calculated move, devoid of emotion.

And yet, as the firelight flickered across his face, Alexander couldn’t shake the lingering thought: could even a contract marriage truly shield him from the pain of betrayal?

The past had taught him one lesson—trusting the wrong person could cost him everything.

This time, there could be no mistakes.

And if there were... the consequences would be unimaginable.

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