Chapter 3- Terms and Conditions

Anna stood in the opulent conference room of Blackwell Enterprises, clutching the pen Jaden had handed her. In front of her lay the contract—a stark, emotionless document detailing the terms of their arrangement.

Jaden leaned back in his chair, the picture of calm control. His dark eyes studied her every move, as though searching for a crack in her resolve.

“We don't have time,” he said, his voice devoid of warmth. “ We've got other things to deal with.”

Anna bit her lip, her eyes scanning the first few lines of the contract. It was as clinical as she’d expected: six months of marriage, followed by an amicable annulment. No physical intimacy required, no sharing of personal lives. She would receive the full amount for Lily’s treatment upon signing, with additional financial support during the arrangement.

“Why me?” she asked suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

Jaden raised an eyebrow. “I thought I explained that already. You’re uninvolved in my world, which makes you ideal. No messy entanglements, no ulterior motives. You have something to gain, and I have something to gain. Simple.”

Her stomach churned at his cold logic. “You don’t think this will look suspicious? Me, out of nowhere, suddenly marrying you?”

He smirked. “Suspicion isn’t my concern. My parents want a marriage, and that’s what they’ll get. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, this is real. We’ll give them what they want to see.”

“And what happens if I mess up?”

“You won’t,” Jaden said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Follow the contract, play the part, and this will be over before you know it.”

Anna looked back at the contract, her hand trembling slightly. This wasn’t just about signing her name—it was about stepping into a life that wasn’t hers, pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and facing the judgment of people far beyond her small, quiet world.

But she had no choice. Lily needed her.

With a deep breath, she signed her name.

***

Jaden watched as Anna’s pen moved across the paper, his sharp eyes noting the slight quiver in her hand. She was nervous, but determined. That was good. He didn’t need someone who would falter under pressure.

When she set the pen down, he reached across the table and slid the contract toward him, glancing over her signature.

“It’s done,” she said, her voice soft but steady.

“Indeed it is,” Jaden replied, rising to his feet. “I’ll have my assistant handle the financial transfer immediately. You’ll find the first deposit in your account by the end of the day.”

Anna exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over her. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, his tone clipped. “We have work to do.”

“Work?”

He gestured for her to follow him as he left the conference room. “If we’re going to convince my parents—and the rest of the world—that this is a real marriage, you’ll need a crash course in what it means to be Mrs. Jaden Blackwell.”

Anna hurried after him, her heart pounding. They entered an elevator, and Jaden pressed a button for one of the upper floors.

“What exactly does that mean?” she asked, her voice laced with apprehension.

“It means you need to look, act, and speak like someone who belongs in my world,” Jaden said without looking at her. “You’ll need a new wardrobe, etiquette lessons, and a firm understanding of how to handle yourself in public. My parents will scrutinize everything, and so will the media.”

Anna felt a wave of panic rising in her chest. “The media? I thought this was supposed to be private.”

“It won’t be,” Jaden said bluntly. “The Blackwell name comes with a spotlight. Every move we make will be watched, analyzed, and reported. You’ll need to be ready for that.”

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into a lavish suite that looked more like a designer showroom than an office. Racks of clothing lined the walls, and a team of stylists waited with eager expressions.

“What is this?” Anna asked, staring in disbelief.

“Your transformation,” Jaden said, gesturing for her to step forward. “You can’t walk into my parents’ mansion looking like you just came off the subway.”

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She glanced down at her simple outfit, suddenly feeling painfully out of place.

“I’m not sure I’m cut out for this,” she admitted.

Jaden stepped closer, his gaze piercing. “You don’t have a choice, Miss Hayes. You signed the contract. From this moment on, you’re Mrs. Jaden Blackwell. Act like it.”

The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. Anna found herself in the hands of a team of stylists who worked with military precision, selecting outfits, shoes, and accessories that screamed wealth and sophistication.

“Hold still, darling,” one of the stylists said as she pinned Anna’s hair into an elegant updo. “You have such a natural beauty—it just needs a little polish.”

Anna forced a smile, her nerves fraying with each passing minute. She felt like a doll being dressed up for display, her identity slipping further away with every change.

When the transformation was finally complete, she barely recognized herself. The woman staring back at her in the mirror wore a tailored red dress, designer heels, and understated jewelry that somehow made her look both elegant and powerful.

Jaden entered the room, his sharp eyes sweeping over her. For the first time, there was a flicker of approval in his expression.

“Better,” he said. “You’ll do.”

Anna bristled at his tone but bit back a retort. She was here for Lily, not to argue with him.

“What happens now?” she asked.

“Now,” Jaden said, adjusting his cufflinks, “I introduce you to my parents.”

Her stomach dropped. “Today?”

“Tonight,” he corrected. “They’re hosting a charity gala, and you’ll attend as my wife-to-be. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your debut.”

Anna’s heart raced. A gala. In front of hundreds of people, all of them watching her, judging her.

“Don’t overthink it,” Jaden said, as if sensing her panic. “Stay by my side, smile when necessary, and don’t say anything stupid. I’ll handle the rest.”

His words did little to calm her. But as she thought of Lily, lying in that hospital bed, she forced herself to nod.

“I’ll do my best,” she said.

“You’ll need to do better than that,” Jaden replied, his tone as cold as ever.

As they left the suite, Anna felt a mix of fear and determination swirling inside her. This wasn’t just about pretending to be someone she wasn’t—it was about surviving in a world she didn’t understand.

And as the elevator doors closed behind them, she realized there was no turning back.