Chapter 1: The Deal
Lucy Wilson stood still in front of the mirror, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of the wooden dresser as if letting go would make everything around her collapse.
The girl staring back at her looked perfect- almost too perfect.
Her long, curly hair falls over her shoulders like soft waves, framing a face most people would call beautiful. Her skin glowed under the warm light, and her blue eyes were bright and striking- they were the kind that turned heads without effort.
But today those eyes looked dull, Heavy, and afraid. She exhales slowly, her breath shaky.
Something didn't feel right. The house had been tense all day too quiet, too controlled. And her father …
He had been acting strangely for some weeks.
"Lucy!" his voice echoed from downstairs, sharp and impatient.
She flinched slightly. "Wear something decent,"
He added." We have an important guest."
Lucy frowned. Important guest? Her grip tightened on the dresser. That tone…she knew it
Every time her father used that tone, it meant trouble. It meant he needed something. It meant she was somehow involved in whatever the issue was.
Her chest tightened. "I'm coming," she replied, forcing her voice to stay steady. She glanced at herself one last time before turning away from the mirror.
For some reason… she felt like her life was about to change. And in a good way
The moment Lucy stepped into the living room, the air shifted. She stopped walking.
Her eyes landed on the man sitting comfortably on their worn-out couch as if the entire place belonged to him. And suddenly, everything made sense.
Jack Hollow.
She had never met him before, but she had heard enough.
Everyone had.
A billionaire.
A man with power so vast it stretched beyond business. A man people feared. Lucy swallowed.
He didn't look like the kind of man you ignore.
Tall, broad, and composed, he sat with effortless authority. His black suit fit him perfectly, his posture relaxed but controlled. His brown eyes were sharp-too sharp-like they missed nothing.
When those eyes lifted and met hers…Lucy felt it—that cold weight, like being seen through.
"Lucy," her father said quickly, stepping forward with a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Come and greet Mr. Hollow."
Lucy didn't move immediately. Her instinct screamed at her to turn around, to walk away, but she didn't. Slowly stepped forward.
"Good evening," she said, her voice calm despite the storm inside her.
Jack didn't respond right away, he looked at her. Carefully, Thoroughly. Like he was assessing her value.
It made her skin crawl.
Then he spoke.
"Is this her?"
Lucy's brows furrowed. She was like, " Is this her?" Her father nodded quickly. "Yes. My daughter." Lucy's stomach twisted.
Something about the way he said it felt wrong.
Detached.
Like she wasn't even in the room, Jack leaned back slightly, his gaze still fixed on her. "She' ll do." Lucy blinked. The words didn't register at first. But when they did- her heart burned.
"Excuse me?" she said, her voice shaper now.
Her father stepped in quickly. "Lucy, go to your room" "NO."
The word came out before she could stop it. Firm, clear. Even she was surprised by it.
"I want to know what is going on," she added as her heart was pounding. Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then Jack stood up.
The movement was slow, deliberate, and controlled.
And somehow …that made it more intimidating.
He walked toward her, each step measured. Lucy fought the urge to step back, she refused to show her fears, even if she felt them.
"I'm offering your father a solution," he said calmly. Lucy's eyes flickered to her father.
He looked uneasy.
Avoiding her gaze.
That alone made her chest tighten. "What kind of solution?" she asked slowly. Jack stopped a few steps away from her, close enough for her to feel his presence.
"His company is falling," he said. " Debts, losses … poor decisions."
Lucy's heart sank. She knew things weren't good
But she didn't know it was this bad. She turned to her father. "Is that true?" he didn't answer. That silence was louder than any confession.
Lucy felt anger rise in her chest. "And what does that have to do with me?" she demanded, turning back to Jack. His expression didn't change.
"Everything."
The word landed like a stone.
Lucy's breath hitched.
"I don't give money without taking something in return," he continued. Her fingers curled into fists. "What do you want?" she asked. Jack looked directly into her eyes.
"A marriage."
Everything stopped.
Lucy stared at him.
"…What?"
"A contract marriage," he clarified, his tone still calm, almost indifferent. "Five years."
Lucy let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "This is ridiculous." No one joined her. Her father steps forward, his voice tense. "Lucy, listen-"
"You agreed to this?" she cut in, her voice rising. "I had no choice!"
"You always have a choice!" she snapped.
Her chest heaved, her heart hurt.
"You're my father!" she added, her voice breaking slightly. "You are supposed to protect me!"
"I'm trying to protect us!" he shot back. "No," Lucy
Whispered, shaking her head. "You're trying to save yourself." Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Painful.
Then Jack spoke. "You don't have to pretend this is anything more than what it is," he said.
Lucy looked at him anger burning in her eyes.
"And what is it?" she asked.
"A transaction." The word cut deep.
Lucy swallowed hard. " I'm not doing this," she said. Her father's expression hardened. "You are." She froze.
"You will marry him," he continued. "Or we lose everything." Everything.
Lucy let out a bitter laugh. "What about me?" she asked quietly. "Do I matter at all?" No one answered. That was her answer, she closed her eyes briefly. Her dream flashed in her mind.
Runways.
Cameras.
Freedom.
All slipping away. When she opened her eyes again, something inside her had shifted. Not broken, but hardened. She looked at Jack
"If I agree," she said slowly, "there are conditions." Jack raised a brow slightly. "Go on."
"No love," she said.
"Of course not."
"No emotional expectations."
"Unnecessary."
Lucy nodded faintly. " And after five years … I walk away. No strings attached."
Jack held her gaze for a moment. Then he nodded. "Agreed."
Lucy inhaled deeply. This was it.
The moment her life changed. " I will do it," she said. Her father exhaled in relief.
But Lucy didn't look at him.
She was still looking at Jack.
"This is just a contract," she added firmly. Jack's voice was steady. "Nothing more."
But as their eyes locked…
Neither of them realized that was the first lie.