Alexander's POV
The morning sun slips through the glass walls of my office, painting gold lines across the floor.
It's too bright for the kind of thoughts I'm having.
Two folders sit on my desk.
One black. One white.
The black one holds the business deal between Voss Corporation and Stone Enterprises.
The white one carries something far heavier — the marriage contract.
I open the first file, scanning the numbers, the signatures, the desperate undertone behind every legal line.
They need me.
The Stones have the name, but not the power.
A knock breaks my silence.
"Come in," I say.
Evelyn, my secretary, steps in quietly. Always graceful, always cautious.
She places a cup of black coffee in front of me. "The board meeting is scheduled for ten, sir. And Mr. Collins is waiting outside — says it's urgent."
"Let him in," I reply, eyes still fixed on the papers.
Moments later, Ryan Collins strolls in, hands in his pockets, the usual smirk on his face. He's one of the few people who can walk into my office without fear.
He eyes the two files. "So, it's true," he says. "You're actually going through with it?"
I don't answer immediately. I just lift the white folder and place it on the table between us. The words Marriage Contract – Alexander Voss & Amara Stone stare up at him.
Ryan lets out a low whistle. "Marrying your business rival's daughter. That's one way to keep the market talking."
"It's not about talk," I say flatly. "It's about control."
He studies me for a second, eyes narrowing. "Control… or revenge?"
That word lingers in the air like smoke.
I finally look up at him. "Does it matter?"
Ryan shakes his head, half smiling. "It does to me. Because if this is about what happened years ago —"
"It's about business," I cut in, voice sharper than I intend. I lean back, fingers tapping the edge of the file. "Nothing more."
He doesn't believe me. He never does.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Alex. Her father's ruthless, and that girl—"
"I've met her."
The words come out before I can stop them.
Ryan blinks. "You've what?"
I close the file slowly, hiding the flash of memory that burns in my mind. The hotel room. Her laughter. The way her voice trembled when she said, I don't usually do this.
"She's not what he thinks she is," I murmur.
Ryan frowns. "So, you already knew her?"
"Not enough," I reply quietly. "But I will."
Evelyn's voice breaks in from the door again. "Sir, the media wants a statement about the partnership with Stone Enterprises."
"Tell them they'll get it when I'm ready."
She nods and leaves, closing the door behind her.
Ryan exhales, watching me carefully. "So, you're still going through with it."
I meet his gaze, calm, certain. "Yes."
He laughs softly. "You're insane."
"Maybe," I say, picking up a pen. "But this is just the beginning."
I flip the white folder open again, eyes landing on her name — Amara Stone.
The memory of her smile flickers in my mind, but I crush it before it grows.
I sign the contract, the pen cutting smoothly across the page.
"You ran from me once," I whisper under my breath. "You won't again."
Ryan watches in silence, his usual grin gone. "You really think she's just another piece in your plan?"
I glance up at him, cold and steady.
"No, Ryan. She's the reason the plan exists."
He stares at me for a long moment, then turns to leave.
The door closes softly, leaving me alone again with the two files — one for business, one for fate.
I look out the window, at the city sprawling beneath me.
"It's time to end what your father started, Amara."
The sunlight flickers off the glass, catching the curve of my smile — the kind that hides more than it shows.