Chapter 1 Marriage Announcement, Internet Explosion
The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Helios Media Group's executive floor, casting long shadows across the pristine marble floors. Damian Helios stood with his back to the panoramic view of Osiria's skyline, his tall frame silhouetted against the light. His expression remained impassive as his PR team delivered their latest proposal.
"Mr. Helios, we've prepared a shortlist of suitable candidates," said Miranda, sliding a tablet across the polished conference table. "All from respectable families, with appropriate backgrounds. Any of them would make a convincing wife for the year required by your grandfather's will."
Damian barely glanced at the profiles. "I've already made my selection."
The room fell silent. His legal counsel, Thomas, cleared his throat. "Sir, we weren't aware you had someone in mind. May I ask who—"
"Nora Belmont."
The name hung in the air like a dropped glass before shattering. Miranda's professional composure cracked. "The... former Belmont heiress? The one who was exposed as—"
"Yes," Damian cut her off, his voice like ice. "The very same."
Thomas adjusted his glasses nervously. "Mr. Helios, with all due respect, choosing someone with such... controversial public standing might not be the wisest move for maintaining shareholder confidence."
Damian's steel-gray eyes narrowed. "My grandfather's will stipulates marriage for one year to secure my inheritance. It doesn't specify to whom." He turned to the window, effectively ending the discussion. "Prepare the announcement for tomorrow. And arrange a meeting with Ms. Belmont this afternoon."
---
Nora Belmont stared at the eviction notice on her apartment door, the red "FINAL WARNING" stamp like a slap across her face. Six months since the DNA test had revealed her as the housekeeper's daughter, switched at birth with the real Belmont heir. Six months since the family that had raised her for twenty-six years had discarded her like yesterday's newspaper.
Her phone buzzed with another call from an unknown number—likely another reporter seeking the "fake heiress" story. She silenced it and pushed open her door, only to find her roommate glued to the television.
"Nora! You need to see this!"
On screen, Damian Helios—the notoriously private media mogul—was addressing a press conference. Nora froze when she heard her name.
"...pleased to announce my engagement to Nora Belmont. The wedding will take place next week."
Her phone exploded with notifications as the roommate turned to her with wide eyes. "Did you know about this?"
Before she could answer, there was a sharp knock at the door. Two men in black suits stood outside.
"Ms. Belmont? Mr. Helios requests your presence."
---
The Helios Tower loomed over downtown Osiria like a monument to power. Nora was escorted directly to the penthouse office where Damian Helios waited, his back to her as he surveyed his empire through the glass.
"What is this?" she demanded, throwing a newspaper onto his desk. Her face was splashed across the front page beside his, with the headline "MEDIA HEIR CHOOSES FALLEN SOCIALITE."
He turned slowly, assessing her with cold calculation. "A business proposition."
"You announced our engagement without even speaking to me!"
"Would you have agreed otherwise?" His voice was calm, almost bored.
"Of course not! I don't even know you!"
"Yet here you are." He gestured to a chair. "Sit."
Against her better judgment, she did. Damian slid a document across the desk.
"My grandfather's will requires me to be married for one year to inherit control of Helios Media. You need money and a fresh start after your... situation. One million dollars now, five million after we complete the year. All you have to do is play the devoted wife in public."
Nora stared at the contract, her mind racing. "Why me? You could have anyone."
Something flickered in his eyes. "You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. That makes you reliable."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then enjoy your eviction tomorrow." He smiled thinly. "But you won't refuse."
---
Three days later, Nora found herself at the Osirian Opera House's annual gala, draped in a gown worth more than her former apartment. Cameras flashed as she entered on Damian's arm, the world eager to devour this unexpected pairing.
"Smile," he murmured, his hand possessively at the small of her back. "They're watching."
"I'm trying," she whispered through gritted teeth. "But it's hard when half the room is whispering about how I'm not good enough for you."
"Then make them believe you are."
As they navigated the crowd, Nora spotted Lily Belmont—her former "sister," now the legitimate heiress—approaching with a champagne flute and a venomous smile.
"Nora! What a surprise to see you here. And with Damian Helios, no less." Lily's gaze slid to Damian. "I didn't realize you had such... charitable inclinations, Mr. Helios."
Before Nora could respond, Damian's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against his side. The sudden proximity sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine.
"Charitable?" His voice carried just enough to be heard by those nearby. "On the contrary, Ms. Belmont. She—" he looked down at Nora with an intensity that seemed to stop the room "—is my choice. The only one I would consider worthy."
Then, with the entire gala watching, he tilted her chin up and brushed his lips against hers in a gesture of such possessive tenderness that cameras flashed in a frenzy.
Later, in the privacy of his limousine, the mask dropped. His hand gripped her wrist as she tried to move away from him.
"You did well," he said, his voice cold again. "But remember our arrangement. This is business. Don't mistake performance for reality." His eyes held hers in the dim light. "And don't ever cross the line I've drawn, Nora. You're playing in my world now."
She pulled her wrist free, heart pounding. "Don't worry, Mr. Helios. I know exactly what this is. A contract. Nothing more."
But as the car glided through the night, Nora couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just made a deal with the devil himself.
