Baik, ini lanjutan Bab 5 untuk cerita Contract Marriage: Taming the Billionaire's Heart, ditulis dalam bahasa Inggris yang sesuai gaya cerita ini, siap langsung dipasang di , NovelToon, dan platform
The grand dining hall of the Vance mansion was silent, save for the soft clinking of cutlery against porcelain. Elara sat across from Damian, the distance between them feeling like miles despite being just a few feet apart. The contract they had signed only three days ago still felt like a heavy weight resting on her shoulders.
Damian ate with the same precision and cold composure he showed in every aspect of his life. His sharp jawline, dark eyes, and aura of authority made even the simplest moments feel intense. Elara kept her gaze lowered, focusing on her food, trying not to let his presence overwhelm her.
“You will attend the annual company gala next Friday,” Damian said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “My grandfather will be there, along with every major shareholder and business partner. You will act as my wife—convincingly.”
Elara paused, her fork hovering in mid‑air. “So soon? I thought we agreed to keep appearances only when necessary.”
“This is necessary,” Damian replied, his eyes locking onto hers. “If my grandfather suspects this marriage is anything but real, he will question my judgment. And if he doubts me, my position as heir to the Vance Group becomes unstable. Do not forget why you are here, Elara.”
His words were a reminder—cold, clear, and impossible to ignore. She was here to save her family’s home and pay off her father’s debts. He was here to secure his inheritance. Feelings had no place in this arrangement.
“I understand,” she answered quietly, though her chest tightened. “I will do as you ask.”
For a moment, Damian’s expression softened almost imperceptibly—so briefly that Elara wondered if she had imagined it. He leaned back in his chair, studying her with a look that held more curiosity than judgment.
“You are quieter than I expected,” he said. “Most women would have tried to charm me or demand something by now.”
Elara lifted her chin slightly, a spark of her old spirit returning. “I am not here to charm you, Damian. I am here to fulfill my side of the deal. And I expect you to fulfill yours.”
A faint, almost amused smirk touched the corner of his lips—the first hint of something other than coldness she had seen from him. “Good. I prefer honesty over pretense, even in a contract.”
Later that evening, Elara found herself wandering through the large library on the second floor, hoping to clear her mind. Shelves lined with books stretched from floor to ceiling, and the room felt warm and peaceful, a stark contrast to the rest of the house. She ran her fingers along the spines until she found a poetry collection she loved.
She did not hear the door open until Damian’s voice came from behind her. “You like poetry?”
She turned, startled. “I… yes. It helps me think.”
Damian stepped closer, his gaze falling on the book in her hands. “I haven’t read those in years. My mother used to love them.” There was a quiet sadness in his tone, something he rarely let show. “She passed away when I was young. My grandfather raised me to be strong, to never show weakness.”
Elara looked at him, seeing for the first time the lonely boy behind the ruthless billionaire. “Strength doesn’t mean you have to shut everything out, Damian. Sometimes it just means you keep going even when it’s hard.”
He stared at her, as if her words were something he had never heard before. The air between them shifted—the cold distance melting into something softer, something unspoken.
“Remember the gala,” he said finally, turning away before she could respond. “And Elara… try not to surprise me too much.”
As he left, Elara stood there, her heart beating faster than it should. The line between just a contract and something more was starting to blur, and she knew that keeping her heart safe would be far harder than she had imagined.