His for a year. - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

The lady led me back to the makeup room behind the curtains.
I was hurt. Why didn’t he see what I saw? My beauty, my curves, my confidence, my sexiness? Was observing me like a piece of art all he could do? Making sure I was the perfect presentable piece for his mother and the rest of his family was better than giving me at least a compliment?
Aliyah must have read his expression wrong. He definitely felt nothing for me. He was just so great at acting.
I hated that I was analyzing his thoughts, wondering if he at least liked me. Not love—but just liked.
Why did I even care? It’s not like he’d ever really be interested in me. This is just a contract I literally cajoled him into with my pitiable life. He would never have looked at me if not for the scene I caused at school.
This hurt even more.
I’m falling for him.
My eyes began to water.
I blinked the tears back several times. It worked—until Anna stepped out from behind the curtain.
Her eyes locked onto mine with a cold, calculating glint that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Well, well,” she said, voice smooth but dripping with ice. “Looks like Zade has good taste after all. Shame you don’t quite live up to the dress.”
She gave a sharp smile. “But don’t worry, darling. I’ll make sure you learn exactly what’s expected of you. No one embarrasses my family.” She walked out.
Well, that was unsettling.
As soon as the lady was done with my lips, I stood up and stepped out—no directions, just instincts.
“Much better,” he said, dropping his phone on his lap. Then he stretched out his hand toward Anna.
The contract.
He looked different now—clean and commanding. A grey packet shirt, black suit trousers, and shoes so shiny they practically screamed old money.
He gestured for me to sit in the chair next to his. He placed the contract on the table between us, flipped to the last page, signed, and handed me the pen.
I went through the contract slowly, hoping—praying—to find something that would let me back out.
There wasn’t.
All of Mom’s hospital bills would be paid once I signed and I could visit her anytime, now listed as my “friend’s mother.” A house had been provided for Aliyah and me, one I could only stay in when he didn't need me and there were no family functions—his family’s, of course.
“Is there anyone we should be worried about?” Anna asked suddenly.
I blinked. Confused.
“Like a crazy ex, a dumb relative, friend, or stalker. Someone who could ruin this mission.” She scoffed. “Not like someone would stalk this,” she added, eyeing me and sipping her drink.
Zade looked up, waiting for an answer.
David? He’d disowned us. He wouldn’t come near me again.
“No,” I said quietly, dropping my gaze and continuing to read.
“We don’t have all day, Olive,” Anna snapped. “Just sign. I’ll give you the summary.”
I looked at her. I didn’t trust her, but I couldn’t wait to be done with this day.
She tossed a phone on the table with a loud bang. I flinched.
“This is your new phone. Your new identity is in there—photos, parents, new interests, the whole package.”
I picked it up slowly.
“You’re not allowed to go anywhere without Ray. He’s your bodyguard, for now. If Zade isn’t driving you, he is.”
She didn’t pause.
“The contract is for one year. A month before it ends, you’ll file for divorce and make it public. During this period, you are not allowed to have any sexual or intimate relationship with anyone. Not even Zade.”
I stole a glance at him. He beat me to it. Our eyes met. I quickly looked away.
That wouldn’t be a problem. Nobody wanted that kind of relationship with me. Especially Zade.
“You are not, under any circumstances, to become pregnant.” She stressed the words.
I let out a small chuckle. That was funny—we all knew that wasn’t possible.
“Finally, any breach of any of these rules will result in a $200,000 penalty.”
My stomach churned. I couldn’t afford to break any rules. I had to pour my soul into this role.
“The wedding is on Sunday,” Zade said.
“What?” I whispered, stunned.
“Zade, we didn’t discuss this,” Anna leaned forward, attempting to whisper—but she wasn’t a good whisperer.
“Today’s Thursday. We have two days to plan the wedding. I’ll choose the venue after meeting with Mom,” he said with finality.
“Sign that and meet me in the car.” He picked up his phone and walked out.
I looked at the contract again, fear and uncertainty washing over me.
“Don’t mess this up,” Anna said, eyes sharp. “I don’t like you. You’re just… you. And it’s irritating. Ruin this, and you’ll make my job easier.” She hissed and walked out.
That stung. She looked like she meant every word.
The pen trembled slightly in my grip. Once I sign, there’s no turning back.
I stepped out of the room, heart pounding louder than my heels on the marble floor. The car waits, and so does fate—in a five-star restaurant I never imagined setting foot in.
Immediately I joined him in the car, he spoke, “We’re going to a restaurant. My mom and younger sister are waiting,” Zade said as I buckled up.
“Please don’t embarrass me. It won’t be funny.”
I nodded.
He turned on the engine.
“Is that a bandaid on your eyebrow?”
“Yes. I tripped on the stairs.”
“Make sure my mom doesn’t see that. Cover it up.” His tone left no room for argument.
I adjusted my hair quickly.
We pulled up in front of Vetro by Russo’s, and for a moment, I just stared.
It was breathtaking—all soft lighting, elegant glasswork, and quiet luxury. I’d heard whispers about it, seen it in magazines, even passed by once or twice, but I never imagined I’d actually step inside, let alone sit down to eat. And yet here I was—heels clicking against marble, heart racing, crossing off something I never thought would leave the “someday” column of my bucket list.
The entrance felt like a dream: polished floors, crisp air laced with citrus and rosemary, and a view that looked like it belonged in a movie scene, not real life. It was the kind of place people dressed up for—not just in clothes, but in confidence.
And I was about to walk right in.
“Be confident,” he said as the elevator doors closed. “Like earlier at your house.”
I cleared my throat.
“And don’t talk too much. Mom hates noisemakers.”
The elevator opened with a soft chime, revealing a private floor lit with gold chandeliers and warm candlelight.
Zade offered his arm as we stepped through the grand double doors, and I took it, more for balance than romance—though the way he looked at me, eyes scanning my face like he was memorizing something private, made my stomach flutter in a way I wasn’t ready to admit.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted. It was hushed, but not cold—a kind of reverent quiet, like everyone knew they were part of something exclusive. Soft jazz spilled from invisible speakers, blending with the gentle clink of crystal and silverware. Waiters moved like shadows, graceful and silent, in tailored black.
The hostess greeted Zade by name, of course, and smiled like she knew something I didn’t. She led us to a table by the window—four chairs, perfectly arranged around a white linen tablecloth that practically glowed in the candlelight. The view outside was just as spectacular as the interior: water glittering under the fading sky, boats bobbing in the distance, Queens looking more like Monaco.
His mother was already seated.
She turned slowly at the sound of footsteps, expression unreadable.
Her hair was in a sleek low bun, pearls on her neck, navy-blue tailored dress, and eyes so sharp they cut through me. Beside her sat a younger girl with matching bone structure and the same unblinking stare.
“Mom. Zara,” Zade said. “This is Olive.”
I smiled politely. “Good evening, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She said nothing at first. Just studied me—from my shoes to my hands.
“Sit,” she finally said.
We obeyed.
Zara watched me. Not blinking.
“Where did you meet my son?” his mother asked.
“College,” I replied. “Through mutual friends.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You don’t strike me as someone from his circles.”
My throat tightened. “People from different worlds meet sometimes.”
“True,” she said, folding her napkin. “Though they don’t always belong together.”
Zade poured her a glass of water without meeting her eyes. “She’s smart. Resilient. Beautiful. And I choose her.”
That made her blink.
“I see,” she said, unconvinced. “A clumsy one at that.” Her eyes darted to the bandaid on my eyebrow.
I adjusted my hair quickly. Zade gave me a sharp look.
A waiter approached with menus, offering brief relief.
“Have you been here before, Olive?” Zara asked with a knowing smirk.
I shook my head. “No. First time.”
“Oh,” she said, feigning surprise. “We thought you’d have grown up around places like this. Considering how fast you're marrying into them.”
Zade’s jaw ticked.
“I didn’t grow up around here,” I said, placing my hand gently on his arm. “But this one’s lovely. And we have plenty of time to explore more.”
Zade glanced at me. The corner of his mouth twitched.
The tension thickened.
His mother tilted her head, tapping her wine glass.
“I’ll be blunt. I don’t believe in short engagements, secrecy, or rushed decisions. And I don’t believe my son would do this unless he was forced.”
I felt my lungs shrink.
“I wasn’t forced,” Zade said. “The wedding is Sunday.”
His mother didn’t react, but Zara’s eyes widened.
“Repeat that,” she said. The anger in her voice barely contained.
Zade said nothing.
She looked me in the eye. “You must think yourself clever, slipping into a world that doesn’t belong to you,” she said, her smile polished but deadly. Then she leaned in, all sweetness gone.
“But I know what you are. You’re a leech. And I didn’t raise my son to be someone’s meal ticket.”
“Okay, Mom, that’s enough,” Zade said, adjusting on his seat.
Zara chuckled openly.
I clutched my purse. My palms were sweaty, and my head throbbed.
“Just sit. Pretend to like her. At least until the media gets wind of this.”
His mom stared me down for three more seconds, then moved back to her normal position.
The waiter returned with our food. For the next few minutes, we ate in intense silence—cutlery clinking, no one speaking.
Mid-bite, Zara asked, “Do you love him?”
I choked, startled. Zade looked up.
“I asked if you love my brother.”
“I… yes. Of course I do.”
Zara raised an eyebrow. “How do we know that’s true? You just came out of nowhere.”
His mother leaned back. “Love is dangerous. Especially when it’s one-sided.”
Zade hadn’t made any effort in our little act. I couldn’t even argue with that.
Then his mother stood, placed her napkin on the table, and smoothed her dress.
“Thank you for the dinner. Miss Olive, get used to cameras, claws, and consequences—especially from me.”
She gave a final, polished smile that never reached her eyes and left. Zara followed.
The silence was deafening.
I sat frozen, heart pounding. Was this the beginning of my performance—or my undoing?
Zade didn’t look at me right away. His jaw tightened before he spoke.
“I told you to hide that bandaid.”
No warmth, no softness—just that same blank command. His hand gripped the wine glass a little too hard.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, my voice cracking. “I didn’t know she’d look so closely.”
“That’s why you were asked to read the pre-contract, dummy. Everything’s in there. Do your job.”
He stood. “And stop being so pathetic. It’s irritating. Meet me in the car.”
I couldn’t look up. People must’ve heard. Seen. Judged.
Pathetic. Unwanted. Stupid.
I stayed still, head down, tears sliding silently down my cheeks.
This wasn’t the future I dreamed of. I thought I’d marry into a loving family. Find the love I never got from my parents.
Now, I couldn’t even dream of that.
This wasn’t how I imagined marriage.Not papers signed in cold silence, not mothers who hate me on sight, not dinners where I’m the joke on the menu. I used to believe love would save me. Now I just hope it doesn’t destroy me first.
Eventually, I stood, straightened my dress, and walked toward the elevator.
I bumped into Ray.
“Oh—hi,” he smiled. “Boss asked me to get you. But you’re already headed out, so that’s good.”
It hadn’t even been a full minute.
We walked toward another car. Zade was seated in the back, a filled glass in hand.
Ray opened the door. I got in beside him.
“Drop her off first,” Zade instructed.
The drive home was painfully silent. Not a single word passed between us.
I stared out the window, trying to piece myself back together. One thing was already clear: this year would be a long and excruciating one. Zade's family had made it obvious—I wasn’t welcome. And Zade himself... he was another complicated storm I didn’t know how to weather.
When we finally pulled up in front of my porch, I got out without a glance or goodbye. I could feel Zade's eyes on me, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of acknowledgment. My legs carried me forward, mechanical and tired.
I knocked once. Aliyah opened the door almost immediately.
“Oh, you're back” she smiled, her voice laced with excitement.
“Yeah,” I muttered, brushing past her. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
I heard the car pull away as I shut the door, the sound of its departure loosening something in my chest. I headed straight to my room, Aliyah trailing behind.
“I’m just going to change,” I said, slipping out of my dress, my fingers clumsy with exhaustion.
“Jake's in Mom's room,” she said softly. “He came earlier to check on me.”
I nodded absently, reaching for a robe.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes,” she said. “We both did.”
She turned to leave the room, and for a moment, I almost let her go. But my chest tightened. I have to tell her.
“Wait,” I said.
My voice came out lower than I expected. Firm, but quiet. Like I was trying to convince myself of the words before they left my lips.
“You need to know something.”
She stopped and looked back. I didn’t turn to face her yet. I couldn’t—not until I forced the words out of my trembling mouth.
“Zade and I… we’re getting married. On Sunday.”
Silence.
I turned around slowly, heart hammering against my ribs.
Aliyah just stood there, blinking.
Her lips parted slightly, like she was about to say something but couldn’t form the words. Her brows knit together, confusion spreading across her face before it gave way to disbelief, her eyes got wide. She took a sudden, sharp inhale, her shoulders stiffening as though the words had physically hit her.
Still, she said nothing.