Page 14 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

Aria crossed out the sentence. “My bedroom locks from the inside. I get the only key.”

“No room in my home is inaccessible to my security team.”

“Then your security team can keep a master key sealed for genuine emergencies. You do not get one.”

“You think a locked door will keep me out if I decide to enter?”

“No.” She met his cool gray eyes. “I think your word will.”

Silence stretched across the room. Damien’s expression remained unreadable, though the muscle in his jaw twitched once.

“Granted,” he said.

Aria scribbled the amendment in the margin.

She moved to her mother’s care terms. The language guaranteed full medical coverage, including surgery, post-op rehabilitation, private nursing, and any future treatment deemed necessary by independent doctors. Aria added a handwritten clause stating that Damien could not revoke or alter that care even if she breached the agreement or initiated divorce.

“Her medical care cannot be used as leverage after tonight,” she said.

“Everything is leverage.”

“Not my mother.”

“You are sitting in this room because of her.”

“And I will walk out that door right now if you refuse.”

The green monitor light pulsed at the edge of her peripheral vision. Damien could call her bluff, and they both knew it. Her mother’s life hung in the balance under fluorescent lights while Aria pretended she had the strength to walk away from the only man capable of funding it.

Damien leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You’re trembling.”

Aria clasped her hands underneath the glass table. “I’m cold.”

“You’re afraid.”

“Of my mother dying. Not of you.” She glared at him and kept her hands clasped so she wouldn’t touch her wrist and give herself away.

“That will change.” The quiet, absolute certainty in his voice should have made her run. Instead, an unwanted spark of awareness coiled low in her stomach. She hated it. She hated him for causing it.

“Her care remains protected,” Aria repeated firmly.

Damien studied her face for a long moment. “Granted.”

The word gave her room to breathe as she continued.

She turned to the financial terms. All personal debts erased. A monthly personal allowance deposited into an account under her sole control. One million dollars upon completion of the term.

“Half the money goes into an escrow account the moment I sign,” Aria said.

Damien lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve done your research.”

“I know what escrow means.” Her voice was annoyed, and she took a breath to calm herself. He hadn’t earned seeing her break.

“Five hundred thousand dollars is excessive security for a woman bringing no financial assets into the agreement.”

A flush of humiliation burned her cheeks, but she refused to drop her gaze. “Then marry someone richer.”

Damien’s mouth curved into a faint, dark smile. “I don’t want someone richer.”