Sarah sat in Mason's study, staring at the big wooden desk. She had been waiting for twenty minutes. Her hands were folded in her lap, and her stomach felt like it was doing flips. The room smelled like leather and expensive cologne. Even when Mason wasn't here, she could still feel his presence.
She heard footsteps coming down the hall. Derek walked into the room carrying a thick manila folder. He looked at Sarah with kind eyes, which was unusual for him. He was always so serious and professional.
"Miss Sarah," Derek said in his calm voice. He put the folder on the desk in front of her very carefully. "These are the marriage contract documents. Mr. Liu asked that you look them over before you sign anything."
Sarah stared at the folder like it might jump at her. The label on the front said "Liu-Chen Marriage Agreement" in neat handwriting. Her hands shook a little as she reached for it. She wondered if Derek noticed, but he didn't say anything.
The first page was full of boring legal words - names, dates, and other official stuff. But when she turned to the second page, it hit her hard. This was really happening. This wasn't some romantic love story. This was business. Pure and simple.
She looked up and saw Mason walking into the study. His face showed nothing, as usual. He moved like he was in complete control of everything around him. He sat down in the chair across from her without saying a word. His dark eyes watched her like she was a puzzle he needed to solve.
"So it's really happening, huh?" Sarah's voice sounded smaller than she wanted it to.
Mason answered right away. His voice was flat and cold. "Only if you agree. No pressure. But the sooner this is done, the sooner I can fix your problems."
Sarah looked back down at the contract. Her heart was beating so fast she thought Mason might hear it. She forced herself to read the words even though they made her nervous:
*Marriage will last for one year.*
*No physical relationship unless both people agree.*
*Both people must act like a married couple at public events.*
*Sarah Chen will be protected by the Liu family name.*
*When the year is over, Sarah Chen will receive twenty million dollars.*
Sarah's breath got stuck in her throat. Twenty million dollars. That was more money than she had ever dreamed of having.
She read that part again. The number seemed to stare back at her. It was like putting a price tag on her life, her future, her willingness to become someone's fake wife.
"You really think marrying me will solve everything?" Her voice was so quiet she could barely hear herself.
Mason leaned back in his chair. His expression never changed. He was doing this for Grandma Liu anyways. When he spoke, his voice was cold and sure. "No. But it will give you power to fight back. You've been alone too long, Sarah. Plus, my Grandmother would be happy."
Those words hit her harder than she expected. Not because Mason was being nice - he never was nice - but because he was right. She had been alone. She was fighting a battle she couldn't win with no help from anyone.
The newspapers kept conjuring terrible things about her. From saying she slept with important people to get ahead in her music career, to saying her earlier Grammy nomination wasn't real, that she got it by sleeping with the judges too. They said every song she wrote was actually written by men she had affairs with.
The media painted her as a woman who used her body to get what she wanted. People who voted for music awards wouldn't talk to her anymore. Record companies wouldn't return her phone calls. Even her own manager abandoned her.
But Mason Liu's name was powerful. People respected him and were afraid of him. His reputation was perfect, and his influence reached everywhere. As his wife - even a fake wife - she would have protection she never had before.
Derek cleared his throat quietly. "You don't have to rush, Miss Sarah. This is a big decision. You should think about it carefully."
But Sarah was already reaching for the pen Derek had put next to the folder. Her hand was surprisingly steady as she flipped to the page where she needed to sign. The whole thing felt like a dream - or maybe a nightmare. But here she was, about to sign away a year of her life to a man who looked at her like she was just another business deal.
She thought about the reporters who still called her, trying to get her to say something they could twist into another story. She thought about how people looked at her now - not as Sarah Chen the singer, but as Sarah Chen the woman everyone gossiped about.
The pen felt pudgy in her hand. She signed her name in neat, clear letters. Sarah Chen. There. It was done.
She put the pen down and looked up at Mason. His face showed nothing. Derek stepped forward and took the papers.
"There," Sarah said, her voice stronger now. "I signed it."
Mason took the folder from Derek and looked straight at her. His eyes were cold and dark. "Good. You're not my victim, Sarah. You're going to be my wife. Start acting like it."
The words were harsh, but Sarah felt something inside her change. Acting like Sarah Liu instead of Sarah Chen sounded very powerful.
She sat up straighter and looked Mason right in the eyes. "Fine. But if I'm going to be your wife, even a fake one, then you better make sure this works. I'm done being the victim in this story."
Mason's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. Maybe it was respect. Maybe it was just surprise. Either way, Sarah didn't care. She had made her choice. Now it was time to see what came next.
Derek cleared his throat again. "I'll file these papers first thing tomorrow morning. We can go to the courthouse next week to make it official if that works for both of you."
Sarah blinked. "Courthouse?"
"We're not having a wedding," Mason said, standing up from his chair. His voice was flat and matter-of-fact. "We'll go to court, sign the papers, get the marriage certificate. That's it."
Sarah felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. Relief because she wouldn't have to pretend to be a happy bride in front of people. Disappointment because… well, every girl dreamed of a real wedding, didn't they?
"The media is still talking about your scandal," Mason continued. "We need to give them something else to focus on. Our marriage will do that."
Sarah nodded slowly. It made sense, even if it felt cold. "Okay. Courthouse it is."
Mason walked toward the door, then stopped and looked back at her. "Derek will handle the paperwork. Wear something simple. This isn't a fairy tale, Sarah. It's a business arrangement."
And with that, he was gone. Sarah sat alone in the study with Derek, staring at the empty doorway. She had just agreed to marry Mason Liu. In one week, she would sign papers at a courthouse and become Mrs. Liu. No white dress, no flowers, no guests. Just signatures on official documents.
What she didn't know was that Mason had his own reasons for this arrangement. But he would never tell her that. Some secrets were better kept buried.
"Miss Sarah?" Derek's voice was gentle. "Are you alright?"
Sarah looked at him and managed a small smile. It was the first real smile she had felt in months. "I think I will be, Derek. For the first time in a long time, I think I actually will be."