....MARRY HIM....

[Narration – Selena’s inner thoughts]

They say love is a choice.

But what if the choice is taken from you?

I never believed in fairy tales.

Not the kind with glass slippers, happy endings, or knights in shining armor.

Especially not ones wearing Armani suits.

My life was built on independence, ambition, and control.

Until two words shattered everything I thought I knew—

Marry him.

Charles: Marry him.

Two words. Just two. And they shattered everything.

Selena Carter stared at her father across the dining table. Her grip on the wine glass tightened.

Selena: Come again?

Charles: Leonard Knight. You’ll marry him. The alliance will benefit both our companies.

She laughed. Cold. Disbelieving.

Selena: This is a joke.

Charles: It’s not. KnightTech and Carter International, united. It’s the right move—for both families.

Selena: I’m not a business deal, Dad.

Charles: You’re the face of the brand. We need this.

Selena (bitter): So I’m just a pawn now?

Charles (calm): One year. That’s all. You marry, fulfill your duties, then walk away.

Her mother stayed silent beside him. Of course she did.

Selena: And if I say no?

Charles (cold): Then forget your inheritance. Your board seat. Everything.

Selena froze.

He wasn’t bluffing.

She had worked too hard to be taken seriously—not just as the Carter heiress, but as a businesswoman. Walking away now meant losing everything she had built.

And Leonard Knight?

Emotionless. Distant. The human embodiment of a locked vault. He wouldn’t care about this marriage. He’d treat it like a merger. Just like her father.

She could handle one year.

Selena (quietly): Fine. I’ll do it.

Charles: Good. We announce next week.

Selena: But I’m setting boundaries. No fake affection. No interference.

Charles: You can discuss that with him tomorrow. He already sent a message.

[Selena’s penthouse – later that night]

She stared out at the city lights, her heart pounding.

Leonard Knight. Mr. Ice King himself.

Her phone buzzed.

Leonard (text):

Tomorrow. 8PM. Hudson Lounge. We’ll discuss terms.

So formal. So him.

Selena tossed the phone on the couch.

Selena (muttering):

What have I gotten myself into?

She opened her laptop and searched his name.

CEO. Billionaire. No scandals. No relationships.

Perfect on paper. But that didn’t make him any less infuriating.

One year. Just twelve months of pretending.

She could survive that. Couldn’t she?

[Leonard’s office – late night]

He sat at his desk, reading through the marriage contract. His assistant entered.

Assistant:

Everything’s prepared. Press release, NDA, and… she’s already looking into your background.

Leonard smirked faintly.

Leonard:

She’s smart.

His phone lit up—Selena had seen his message.

No reply.

Typical.

She was going to be trouble.

But he could handle trouble.

Couldn’t he?

[Selena’s bedroom]

She entered, expecting silence. Instead, she saw a black box on her bed.

No note. No name.

She opened it slowly.

Inside—an elegant wedding planner.

The first page read:

“Mrs. Selena Knight.”

[Narration: Selena (inner thoughts)]

This isn’t love. It’s a transaction.

And I just signed the deal.

[KnightTech Penthouse – Evening]

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing the top floor of KnightTech Tower—Leonard Knight’s personal penthouse. Selena stepped out, heels clicking against sleek black marble. The space looked more like an art gallery than a home—glass walls, clean lines, chrome edges. Stylish. Expensive. Cold.

Just like him.

Leonard stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the glowing skyline of Velmont City. His posture was as straight as ever, hands in his pockets, tailored black suit clinging perfectly to his frame.

“Welcome,” he said, not turning around.

“To the fortress of ice?” Selena replied coolly, walking in without hesitation. “Charming.”

He turned then, finally facing her. “I thought we agreed—no drama.”

“I’m not dramatic,” she said. “Just brutally honest.”

Leonard nodded toward the glass coffee table. “The contract.”

She spotted the folder immediately. Black leather, pristine edges—of course.

He watched as she sat down and flipped it open, scanning each line with the ease of someone used to reading high-stakes deals.

Clause 1: The marriage will last exactly twelve months.

Clause 3: Neither party may engage in romantic or physical relationships outside the marriage.

Clause 5: All personal matters must remain private. No media leaks.

Clause 7: No emotional involvement to be expected or encouraged.

She raised an eyebrow. “You actually printed ‘no emotions.’ What’s next? ‘No smiling before 9 AM’?”

Leonard didn’t blink. “Emotions cloud judgment. This is a business arrangement. We treat it like one.”

Selena clicked the pen once, twice, before finally signing. Her name curled across the page in smooth, confident ink.

“There. Officially married. Feel anything yet?”

“No.”

“Didn’t think so.”

She stood, walking slowly through the space, taking in the minimalistic decor. Not a single photo. No warmth. No memories.

“You know,” she said casually, “a little humanity wouldn’t kill you. Maybe a houseplant.”

“I don’t get attached to things that die.”

That earned him a glance. Cold. Sharp.

“Where do I sleep?”

“The guest suite. Third door to the right.”

“No need to act like I’m contagious.”

“You’re not,” he replied simply. “Just unnecessary… after hours.”

Selena turned, arms folded. “And in public?”

Leonard walked toward her, stopping a few feet away.

“We’re a couple. In love. Convincing and clean. No scandal. No suspicion. We hold hands when needed. Smile for the cameras. Maybe a kiss if required.”

She narrowed her eyes. “So I’m your trophy wife now?”

“You’re a partner,” he corrected. “But this is about perception. We control the narrative.”

Selena stepped closer, her voice softer, edged with challenge. “Then here’s a tip—try smiling once in a while. You might pass for human.”

For a moment, his lips almost twitched. Almost.

“You’re not what I expected,” he murmured.

“Good,” she said. “I’d hate to be predictable.”

She turned and disappeared down the hallway toward the guest suite, the air still thick with tension.

Leonard remained still, eyes on the contract she’d signed just minutes ago.

Twelve months.

No feelings.

No risk.

So why did it already feel like everything was about to fall apart?

[KnightTech – The Next Morning]

Selena didn’t sleep much. The guest suite was more comfortable than it had any right to be, but her mind refused to rest. Sharing a roof with a man who made her skin crawl—and not just from irritation—wasn’t ideal.

She stepped into the kitchen in a silk blouse and wide-leg trousers, only to find Leonard already there, sipping black coffee and reviewing documents.

“Do you sleep in a suit?” she asked, heading straight for the espresso machine.

“I’m efficient,” he replied. “Try it sometime.”

Before she could shoot back, a knock echoed from the front door.

Leonard frowned. “I’m not expecting anyone.”

Selena raised an eyebrow. “Maybe your robot assistant malfunctioned.”

When he opened the door, a tall woman in a sleek red dress strode in like she owned the place. Platinum blonde hair, designer heels, and a smirk that could slice glass.

“Hello, Leo,” she purred.

Selena blinked. Leo?

“Cassandra,” Leonard said, tone flat.

Selena leaned against the counter, watching the scene unfold. “Ex-girlfriend?” she guessed aloud.

Cassandra smiled brightly. “Ex-fiancée, actually.”

Of course.

“What do you want?” Leonard asked.

“I saw the headlines. Leonard Knight—married?” She gave a fake gasp. “I just had to see it to believe it.”

Her eyes slid over to Selena, appraising her like competition.

“So… you’re the lucky woman?”

Selena smiled sweetly. “Depends who you ask.”

Leonard stepped in. “You’re not welcome here, Cass. We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Cassandra said, pulling out a white envelope from her purse. “KnightTech’s board will be very interested in this.”

She handed him the envelope, then turned to Selena. “Good luck, darling. He hates mess, but he always leaves a trail.”

With that, she waltzed out, the sound of her heels echoing through the penthouse like a warning bell.

Selena looked at Leonard. “Do I want to know what’s in that envelope?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he opened it slowly. His jaw tightened.

Selena crossed her arms. “Let me guess. Blackmail? Scandal? Secret baby?”

Leonard shot her a sharp look. “It’s none of your business.”

She smirked. “Correction—it is now. We’re married, remember? Publicly. Anything that ruins your image… ruins mine.”

He stared at her for a long moment.

And for the first time, Selena saw something flicker behind his calm exterior. Not fear.

Anger.

But not the loud, shouting kind. The dangerous, quiet kind.

“This changes nothing,” he said finally.

“Then you’d better fix it,” she replied. “Because I’m not going down with you.”

As she turned to walk away, Leonard looked down at the letter again.

Cassandra’s game had just begun.

And now, Selena Carter was caught in the crossfire.

[Luxury Lounge – Evening]

Cassandra leaned back in a velvet armchair, legs crossed, wine glass dangling from her fingers. The city glittered behind her like diamonds, but her focus was on the man across from her.

“You saw his face?” she asked, smiling lazily.

The man across from her—well-dressed, anonymous, and smug—nodded. “He didn’t expect you. That was good.”

“I know Leonard. Better than he thinks,” she said, swirling her wine. “He likes control. But he’s not as untouchable as he pretends to be.”

“And the wife?”

Cassandra laughed. “Pretty. Smart. But new to the game. She’ll crack.”

She stood, walking to the window, her reflection shining back at her. A beautiful mask, hiding sharper things underneath.

“I don’t want him back,” she said. “I want him ruined.”

The man stood, slipping her another file. “Then keep playing. The board meets in a month. And if he falls… you rise.”

Cassandra smirked.

“Let the married couple play house. I’ll be right here—tearing it apart, piece by piece.”