Chapter 0086
Chapter 0086
Ella POV
My hand trembled slightly as I took the pen from Alexander The weight of the moment pressed down on me as I stared at the long contract in front of me, its fine print blurring as my pulse pounded in my ears. I sat down slowly, trying to focus on the words, but my mind was spinning. This contract was more than I had expected. It was a binding promise–one that went far beyond the simple terms I had anticipated.
“What is this?” I whispered, my voice barely steady as I lifted my gaze to meet Alexander’s eyes.
“A promise,” he replied, his voice calm but with an edge of seriousness that made my heart skip a beat. “In light of the scandal, August has convinced me we need to protect your interests in this deal. I can’t allow my reputation to harm you. That would be a violation of our agreement. So, by signing this, you agree to the terms I’m proposing.
His intense gaze held mine as he continued, his words sending a chill down my spine. “I will have no lovers, no one–night stands, no other romantic partners for the duration of our relationship. The scandal it would cause if I was caught…. cheating on you would be difficult to control.
I glanced back down at the contract, my fingers gripping the pen tightly. His words were laid out in stark legal terms–cold and clear. But there was more. My breath hitched as I read the clause that caught my attention: if Alexander violated the contract, he would owe me damages a million dollars, to be exact.
“But… this is too much,” I protested, my voice wavering, I looked back up at him, my emotions a swirling mess of confusion and disbelief. This wasn’t just a business arrangement anymore. This was personal.
Alexander’s expression softened slightly, but his tone remained resolute. “Ella, this is necessary. The moment our names were tied together, my actions stopped being just about me. They affect you too. I can’t risk dragging you through the mud because of my past… or because of any missteps I might make in the future.”
His words hung between us, heavy and meaningful. I felt an odd mixture of gratitude and fear–gratitude that he was willing to protect me like this, but fear because the line between fake and real seemed to be blurring. Why was he doing this? Why was he offering such a strict promise? And why did my heart twist every time I looked into his eyes?
“But what about you?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why go to such lengths for a relationship that’s not real?”
For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes–something raw and unguarded. “Because I made a promise,
Ella.” His voice dropped, his gaze locking with mine in a way that made it hard to breathe. “And I take my
promises seriously.
I felt lost. I didn’t know if this was the right thing to do, but Alexander seemed so earnest. I signed the contract and slide it across the table to him.
“Thank you,” he said. He signed himself, then held the contract out to August.
August took the contract and left the room.
Silence settled over us uncomfortably. Alexander was staring at me and I was finding it hard to meet his gaze.
His brow furrowed, and he leaned forward. “How did you know this was going to happen? With all of these women
Had you already started getting these messages before you told me?”
“No,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “But I knew. After all, Alexander… you do have a reputation as a playboy.”
A sour look crossed his face at my words. “I’m well aware of my reputation,” he said curtly. “And I’ve begun
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0096
taking steps to address the situation, just as you asked. But Ella, you need to understand that not all of the things they’re saying about me are true.”
I looked at him in surprise. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“I was a selfish man, yes, but I never cheated, and I was never abusive. I know that what’s between us isn’t real, but I need you to understand that I’m not that kind of person.”
I searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but I found none. I felt in my heart that Alexander was telling the truth, and it ignited a spark of anger within me. How could people spread such awful lies about him?
Chapter 0007
