Chapter 13 The Contract
Evelyn's heart hammered as she stammered, "N-no..."
Roman's intense gaze never left her face. "I think you understand exactly what I mean by making the pregnancy real," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Evelyn's breath caught. "I thought this was supposed to be a business arrangement."
Roman let out a low, amused chuckle that rumbled through his chest. "It is business. But you seem to have forgotten something important—I need an actual heir. We can pretend about the pregnancy for now, but not forever."
The reality hit her like a cold wave. He meant to consummate this marriage. "But if it's just a contract, we shouldn't have to—" she started frantically.
Roman cut her off, stepping closer until she could feel the heat from his body. "Lyn," he whispered in endearment, her name rolling off his tongue easily, "this might be based on a contract, but I'm still a man with needs. You don't expect me to find satisfaction elsewhere, do you? We're getting married for real, and I expect you to be a real wife."
Evelyn stared at him with wide eyes. "Can I still back out?"
His smile was predatory. "I've waited far too long for this opportunity. I'm not letting you escape now, sweetheart."
She looked confused and a little desperate. "What do you mean you've waited?"
His stare was unwavering, intense enough to make her knees feel so weak. "I've wanted you for years, Evelyn. Long before Nathan ever laid eyes on you. I'm sure you don't remember me from that charity gala years back, but I've passed the age of yearning from afar. I'm done with patience. When opportunity knocked, I answered."
Evelyn was shocked by his confession. He continued, his voice becoming softer but no less commanding. "Lyn, I want you to really understand that this marriage will be real in every sense. We'll live as husband and wife. But if after two years you truly want to leave, I'll honor that. That's the only 'contract' part of this arrangement."
The way he said her name made her stomach flutter. After long, she finally found her voice. "So we're really going to... on our wedding night?"
He laughed softly, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "What are you so afraid of? It's not like we're strangers to each other and we haven't done it before.”
Evelyn's face burned red. The evidence on her phone proved their night together had been intensely passionate, but she'd been drugged. He had been completely aware. The memory made her angry and embarrassed.
"Since I apparently have no choice," she said, trying to sound firm, "I have conditions too. You cannot force me into anything I don't want."
His smirk was maddening. "Well, that depends entirely on the circumstances."
Evelyn realized she had very little actual power in this negotiation. He made it seem like she had options when she really didn't. She was completely trapped.
Just as she was about to argue further, Roman stepped back. "I'll give you time to process all of this," he said calmly. "Get ready. I'll pick you up soon for our marriage registration."
Without waiting for her response, he called out, "James, please take Miss Hayes home."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving Evelyn standing there, frustrated and bewildered about the agreement she'd just entered into.
\---
The chauffeur drove Evelyn away from Roman's penthouse. She gave him Lena's address instead of her own. Even though Roman had promised protection, they hadn't signed anything official yet. After everything that had happened tonight, she knew she'd made powerful enemies. Alexander's approval didn't guarantee her safety.
When the car stopped at Lena's apartment building, her friend was already waiting by the window, curious about the expensive vehicle.
"Who was that?" Lena asked as Evelyn walked in.
Evelyn just shook her head wearily. "It's a very long story."
Once inside, Evelyn collapsed into a chair, completely drained. She'd successfully ended her engagement, but somehow found herself facing another marriage proposal. Everything had happened so fast her head was still spinning.
Seeing her exhausted friend, Lena quickly brought her a cup of tea. "Thanks," Evelyn muttered gratefully.
Lena sat down across from her, looking worried. "So? Did your plan work? Is the engagement officially over?"
"Yes," Evelyn said quietly.
Lena let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank God! Then why do you look so... defeated?"
Evelyn looked up with tired eyes. "Because I think I just walked into an even more complicated situation. I don't know whether I should be celebrating or panicking."
Lena leaned forward eagerly. "What kind of situation?"
Evelyn told her everything—the confrontation, Roman's shocking public claim, the video evidence, and finally, the marriage proposal from Nathan's uncle.
At first, Lena listened quietly, her expressions changing with each revelation. But when Evelyn reached the part about marrying Roman, Lena's face broke into the biggest smile she'd ever seen. She couldn't contain her excitement and jumped up, pacing around the room.
"Your raggedy prince threw you away, but you caught yourself a king!" Lena exclaimed, practically bouncing.
Evelyn frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see?" Lena said, gesturing wildly. "Nathan dumped you, but you're marrying his uncle! You went from discarded fiancée to future family matriarch in one night!"
Evelyn still looked puzzled. "And that's... good?"
Lena rushed to her side, grabbing her hands. "It's perfect! You'll be Nathan's aunt! Even if Maya somehow worms her way into the family later, even if Nathan gets back in his grandfather's good graces, they'll both have to bow to you! You'll outrank them completely! This is the ultimate revenge!"
She continued, her voice full of excitement. "And Roman Sinclair is actually interested in you! Everyone knows who he is—one of the city's most eligible bachelors, brilliant businessman, gorgeous, and that mysterious, mature appeal that makes women swoon. The old man clearly favors him over everyone else. You could end up as the next matriarch of the most powerful family in the country!"
Evelyn made a face. "Okay, calm down."
Lena laughed. "Seriously, girl, forget about boys. You just landed yourself a real man. This calls for champagne!" She went to get a bottle from her kitchen.
"You literally went from betrayed fiancée to future dynasty queen in one evening. Maya is going to choke on her own jealousy when she has to call you 'Aunt Evelyn.'"
Evelyn sighed and rolled her eyes, but let her friend pour the drinks. She definitely needed something to calm her nerves. After taking a sip, she looked thoughtful. "He said he'd noticed me before, but I don't remember him at all. I only knew Nathan had a younger uncle in the family."
Lena rolled her eyes dramatically. "Of course you don't remember! You only had eyes for Nathan since college. You were completely blind to everyone else. I know it's complicated and fast, but girl... this is karma at its finest.” She took a sip of her wine and continued.
“Gurrll, you know what they say—sometimes the worst thing that happens to you leads to the best thing. If Nathan hadn't betrayed you, you never would have ended up with his uncle. And the beautiful irony? Nathan basically delivered you to him personally!" She burst into laughter.
Evelyn sat quietly, sipping her drink and lost in thought. Maybe her friend was right. Maybe being claimed by Roman Sinclair wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to her after all.