Cassie stared at the contract long after the last ember of Nathan's check had disappeared. The burnt scent still lingered faintly in her apartment, mixing with the early morning air like the bitter taste of betrayal. The ashes in her kitchen sink were all that remained of what used to be her future with him.
She wasn't heartbroken. She was humiliated.
Humiliated that she had stayed with a man who saw her as a stepping stone, someone he could cast aside with money when she became inconvenient. That she'd defended him to friends, to colleagues, even to herself. That she had hoped he'd love her once she told him about the baby.
She was wrong. And that mistake had nearly cost her everything.
But now, she had another offer on the table. One from Julian Thorne.
And that scared her more.
Because Julian didn't deal in feelings. He dealt in outcomes.
She opened the folder and read it again. This time, not as a woman looking for an escape—but as someone trying to win.
Clause by clause, she dissected the proposal. Temporary marriage. Separate finances. Joint public appearances. Prenuptial agreement. Termination clause post-childbirth.
Every line was carefully constructed, neutral in tone but heavy in implication. It wasn't love, it wasn't even romance. It was leverage, disguised as protection.
Her fingers hovered over the signature line.
Signing this meant giving Julian power.
But not signing might mean losing her child.
Her stomach churned.
She placed the folder back on the table and exhaled. There was no easy choice here. But there was a right one—for the baby.
Julian's legal team had secured a private suite on the top floor of a luxury law firm downtown. The air smelled like money and marble. Cassie arrived with Monica, her lawyer—an aggressive, seasoned woman who had carved reputations from courtroom dust.
Julian was already there.
He stood beside a wall of glass, arms crossed, watching the city skyline. When he turned, he looked as calm as always—sharp suit, unreadable face.
"Miss Lin," he said with a nod.
"Let's just do this," she replied, stepping into the room without waiting for pleasantries.
The lawyers got to work immediately. Cassie sat stiffly beside Monica as they combed through each clause of the agreement. Julian sat across from her, composed and occasionally offering clarifications.
The conversation was transactional. Cold.
Until the topic of living arrangements came up.
"We propose immediate cohabitation at Mr. Thorne's primary residence," Julian's lawyer said.
"Separate rooms," Monica added firmly.
"Of course," Julian said smoothly. "She'll have her own suite, office, access to staff."
"And the bedroom policy?" Monica pressed.
Julian looked at Cassie. "Up to her. This isn't a prison."
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "But it is a contract."
"A mutually beneficial one," he replied.
Monica leaned in toward Cassie. "You don't have to sign. Not today."
Cassie's jaw tightened. "He's offering protection, not affection. I'm not confused about what this is."
Julian said nothing.
Monica frowned. "You're walking into a relationship that will be scrutinized by the media, questioned by your family, and attacked by your ex. You'll need more than a contract."
Cassie met her gaze. "I have myself."
And with that, she took the pen.
Her signature was clean, deliberate, final.
Julian signed immediately after.
"It's done," he said.
Cassie leaned back in her chair. Her heart beat hard in her ears.
"What now?" she asked.
Julian didn't blink. "You move in tonight. We announce tomorrow."
Julian's penthouse was as sterile and stunning as she remembered. Glass, metal, and clean lines. Not a single personal item in sight. No photographs, no books, no hint of the man behind the fortune.
Her luggage had already been delivered. The guest suite was more luxurious than most five-star hotels, with a walk-in closet, marble bath, and a private balcony overlooking the skyline.
But it didn't feel like home.
She found Julian in the kitchen, pouring a glass of water.
"You're efficient," she said.
He looked up. "Would you prefer chaos?"
Cassie crossed her arms. "I'd prefer honesty."
Julian met her gaze. "Then let's be honest. You didn't sign this because you trust me. You signed it because you didn't have a better option."
She nodded. "And you didn't offer this because you care. You did it because the alternative was worse."
He smiled slightly. "Then we're aligned."
Cassie moved closer, her voice low. "This baby deserves more than two people negotiating like CEOs."
Julian's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his voice. "Then give them a mother who never compromises on what matters."
"I already am."
Later that evening, she stood on the balcony, watching traffic glitter below. Her phone buzzed with dozens of messages—Monica, her assistant, old friends who had heard whispers of her breakup with Nathan.
And Nathan himself.
His name flashed on the screen, but she let it ring.
When it buzzed again, she picked it up—just in case it was important.
Nathan: "So it's true. You're marrying Thorne."
She didn't answer.
Nathan: "I hope he knows he's just the rebound. You'll come back."
Her fingers shook. But she didn't reply.
Instead, she blocked his number.
She didn't owe him closure.
Behind her, the penthouse door opened.
Julian stepped out, hands in his pockets. "Do I need to increase security?"
"No," she said. "Not unless he shows up in person."
He nodded. "I've already flagged his name with the front desk. No one gets in without clearance."
She stared out at the skyline. "What did you tell the press?"
Julian joined her at the railing. "That we've been engaged privately. That we kept things quiet for your health. Tomorrow we go public."
"And your board?"
"They're thrilled. They think this stabilizes me. Makes me more… predictable."
Cassie gave a dry laugh. "You? Predictable?"
He looked at her, more curious than offended. "What do you think I am?"
She didn't answer right away. Then: "Dangerous. Controlled. Strategic."
Julian tilted his head. "But not cruel?"
"Not yet."
They stood in silence, the wind cool against their skin.
Finally, Cassie spoke. "What happens if I fall in love with someone else?"
Julian didn't blink. "Then you'll be free to leave after the baby is born. That was always part of the deal."
"And if you fall in love with someone else?"
"I won't."
"Confident."
"Certain."
Cassie looked at him closely. "You don't believe in love, do you?"
Julian didn't answer.
But he didn't deny it either.
That night, Cassie unpacked slowly. She arranged her things carefully in the closet of a stranger's home, trying to claim space in a place she hadn't chosen.
She found a soft cashmere sweater buried among her designer blouses. A gift from her mother, years ago. She pressed it to her chest and sat on the edge of the bed, letting the silence swallow her.
In another room, a man she barely trusted had control of her future.
And in her body, a life was growing—one she had sworn to protect, no matter the cost.
She wasn't sure if she had made a brave choice, or just the least terrifying one.
But she had made it.
Cassie lay down, hand resting gently on her belly.
No matter what happened with Julian, no matter what headlines followed or scandals exploded—she wouldn't regret this child.
She closed her eyes.
And somewhere deep inside, something stirred.
She didn't know if it was hope.
Or just the beginning of another war.
But this time, she wouldn't surrender.
Not entirely.