Chapter 5 Chapter 5

The city outside shimmered under a drizzle, blurred by rain streaks against the office windows. I sat across from Adrian Blake, my fingers tapping nervously on the polished black desk. The twins inside me were a constant reminder that nothing in my life was ordinary anymore. I had survived a near-death accident, been betrayed, and stripped of everything I once held dear. And now… revenge had a face.

Adrian poured two cups of coffee, setting one before me. The steam curled up, carrying the sharp scent of something dark, expensive. His gaze lingered longer than necessary, and my chest tightened. I hated that I noticed it.

“Drink,” he said softly, almost a warning. “You’ll need your focus today.”

I hesitated. “Focus? You mean… planning?”

“Yes,” he said, leaning back, his presence suffocating in the best possible way. “Planning isn’t just about strategy. It’s about timing, precision… psychology. And about making Daniel pay attention.”

I bristled. “You want me to bait him? Humiliate him?”

“No,” Adrian corrected, voice low, deliberate. “You want him to notice you again—but on our terms. You want him to realize exactly what he lost.”

I let out a bitter laugh, feeling the sting of five years of betrayal rise in my chest. “So I’m a pawn?”

“No,” he said immediately. “You’re a queen. Every move you make, every glance, every word—it’s all power. And power, Elena, is far more satisfying than revenge alone.”

My pulse quickened, not just from anger but from the way he looked at me. Not like a protector, not like a lover… like someone who saw me fully, as dangerous as I could be. It made my stomach flutter. Hate burned hotter for it.

I leaned forward, voice tight. “And the contract marriage… this is the plan?”

Adrian nodded slowly, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. “Exactly. Public enough to spark curiosity. Exclusive enough to make him uncomfortable. He thinks he owns you, Elena. We’ll show him he never did.”

I chewed my lip. “And if he notices the truth behind it?”

“Then he’ll realize it too late,” Adrian said smoothly. “Every smile, every step, every glance calculated to make him question what he’s lost. But it has to be subtle. Daniel is sharp. Too obvious, and he’ll see through it.”

I swallowed, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursing through me. “And Mandy?”

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk. “She’s irrelevant. Daniel is the target. Her presence doesn’t matter unless she tries to interfere. Then she becomes part of the board.”

I looked down at my stomach, my twins shifting lightly. Fear gnawed at me. “And the kids… the twins? This won’t put them at risk?”

Adrian’s gaze softened for just a moment. “Never. That’s non-negotiable. They are your anchors. And your leverage—something Daniel could never predict.”

I swallowed hard. Every plan, every detail was precise. Dangerous. And yet… the more he spoke, the more alive I felt. Not just because of anger, but because of the chemistry between us. I hated that it existed.

“So, the contract marriage… we announce it publicly?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “But controlled. Daniel should see you first in places he frequents, hear whispers, notice your presence at events. And then…” He leaned back, eyes darkening. “We make him realize that you are untouchable now. That he cannot control you or the lives he thought he owned.”

“And me?” I whispered, almost to myself. “What do I become in this?”

“You become a force,” he said, voice dropping to a near whisper. “Someone who commands attention, who radiates control and danger, who makes him question his entire life. Confidence. Power. Subtle intimidation. That’s you now, Elena. That’s who he’ll see—and who he will fear losing.”

I drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of it settle over me. “And what about… us?”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Us?”

I hesitated. “You said no intimacy… no falling in love. But what if… chemistry complicates things?”

His lips curved into the faintest smirk. “Then you use it. Controlled. Never let it cloud your judgment. Desire is a weapon if mastered, a weakness if not.”

I laughed, bitter and sharp. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s never simple,” he admitted, his eyes locking on mine. “But you’re strong enough. Smarter than you give yourself credit for. And besides,” he added, leaning slightly closer, “I’ll be guiding you every step. The hand behind the board. But you… you’re the queen. Queens play the game—they don’t wait for it to happen to them.”

The tension between us was tangible. His presence filled the room in a way that made it impossible to ignore. I hated the pull in my chest. Hated that I wanted to feel seen. Hated that he was teaching me to wield my power so effectively.

“Okay,” I said finally, lifting my chin. “Show me everything. How this contract marriage works. Step by step.”

Adrian pulled the thick white envelope I had signed earlier from the drawer, flipping it open. “Step one: public announcement. Carefully staged, strategic. Step two: interactions. You attend gatherings, events, social circles Daniel frequents. Step three: subtle intimidation. Every word, every glance, calculated to disrupt his sense of control.”

I frowned. “So everything is an act?”

“Yes,” he said. “But an act designed to make him feel powerless. He thinks he broke you… we’ll show him he never did.”

“And the public sees this… marriage?” I asked.

He nodded. “They see power. Elegance. Confidence. Mystery. You’ve been crushed, Elena. Now, you’ll rise—and he’ll watch.”

I shivered, a mix of excitement and fear running through me. “And me? Can I really do this?”

Adrian’s eyes softened slightly. “You already have survived more than anyone could imagine. Now, it’s time to channel that pain into strength. To turn betrayal into fire.”

I drew a deep breath and nodded. “Then… let’s start.”

Adrian smiled, that slow, dangerous curve of his lips that made my pulse race. “Tomorrow, we begin your transformation. Hair, wardrobe, posture, presence. Every glance, every line, every step controlled. Daniel won’t know what hit him.”

I straightened, feeling a thrill of power. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” he murmured, leaning back, eyes glinting. “Let the game begin, Mrs. Jonas.”