The morning came slower than usual
A soft golden light filtered through the wide glass windows
Emma opened her eyes slowly
Her head resting against Damon's shoulder
They had fallen asleep on the couch
Surrounded by the silence of unspoken promises
She lifted her head gently
Careful not to wake him
But his arm tightened around her waist
Not yet
His voice was low
Heavy with sleep
Stay a little longer
She rested again
Letting her fingers trace the edge of his shirt
The stillness between them felt sacred
After a while
He sat up slowly
Ran a hand through his hair
We should eat
She smiled
A real one
You cook
He turned and looked at her
No
But I'll order something you like
That works
He walked to the kitchen
Grabbed his phone
Started typing in the order
Emma stood
Stretched slowly
Walked to the balcony again
The morning breeze was light
Refreshing
She closed her eyes
But her peace was short
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table
A name flashed on the screen
Tara
Emma's best friend
She hadn't called since the wedding
Emma picked it up quickly
Hello
Emma where the hell have you been
You vanish
Then I find out from some news article you're married
To Damon Knight
What happened
Emma laughed
Not because it was funny
But because she didn't know how else to begin
It's a long story
She said
I was forced into it
But things are complicated now
Are you safe
Tara asked immediately
That man is terrifying
He's not what he looks like
Silence hung between them
Emma
Tara's voice softened
Are you falling for him
Emma looked back at Damon
He was standing near the kitchen counter
Watching her from a distance
Silent
But focused
I think I already have
She whispered
Tara exhaled
Okay
Then be careful
Because people like him
They don't break easily
But when they do
They take others down with them
I know
They talked a little longer
Then said goodbye
Emma put the phone down
Damon was still watching her
She walked to him
Everything okay
Yeah
Just my best friend losing her mind
He handed her a coffee mug
Then leaned against the counter
I meant what I said last night
I know
Do you trust me
I'm learning to
That's enough for now
She sipped her coffee
Eyes never leaving his
Later that day
They visited his office
The building was tall
Sleek
Modern
The moment she stepped inside
Everyone stared
Emma Knight
Wife of Damon Knight
They walked side by side
No hand holding
No soft glances
Just presence
Power
Inside his office
He sat at the desk
She sat across from him
I want you to see something
He turned the laptop screen toward her
A file
One labeled
Contract Emma Knight
She froze
What is this
The contract your father signed
Selling your marriage
To me
Emma swallowed hard
Her eyes scanning the terms
It wasn't a lie
Everything had been planned
From the dress
To the venue
Even the ring size
This
She said
Was never love
No
But it became something else
She stood
Backed away from the desk
So what now
I stay until your contract is complete
Then disappear
No
Then what Damon
What do you want from me now
He stood too
Walked to her
Stopped just inches away
I want you to choose me
What if I can't
What if I don't know how
Then I'll wait
Until you do
Emma stared at him
Fighting everything inside her
Then without warning
She leaned forward
Rested her head against his chest
Just hold me Damon
For now
Just this
He wrapped his arms around her
Held her close
Not tightly
Just right
Outside
The city kept moving
But inside his office
Time paused
The paper contracts meant nothing
The rules meant nothing
Only the heartbeat between them mattered
That night
They didn't speak much
They lay in bed
Facing each other
Eyes open
Souls exposed
Emma
Damon whispered
Do you think fate brought us together
Or cruelty
Maybe both
She said
Maybe pain opens doors we were too blind to knock on
He reached for her hand
Held it under the covers
Then whatever happens
Let it happen with you
She nodded once
Eyes closing
A single tear sliding down her cheek
Because this
This was not a beginning
Nor an ending
It was the middle of something real
Something dangerous
Something alive