The room remained silent. Only the ticking of an old clock in the corner could be heard, filling the stillness.
Mrs. Hansel stepped closer to Giselle, staring at her intently, as if she could see straight into the girl's thoughts.
"I'll ask you one more time... are you willing or not?"
Giselle swallowed hard. Her heart was racing uncontrollably.
"Alright, I'm willing," Giselle replied softly, but clearly enough for Mrs. Hansel to hear.
A faint smile formed on Mrs. Hansel's lips. She turned to the man in the black suit standing by the door.
"Bring the contract."
The man nodded quickly and left the room. Moments later, he returned with a black folder and placed it on the small table in front of Giselle.
"Please read it. This is the marriage contract with my son, Leon Morano De Santos," Mrs. Hansel said calmly.
Giselle opened the folder. Her hands trembled slightly as she read the contents of the contract:
Temporary Marriage Contract
Duration: 1 year
Purpose: To reignite trust in love for Leon Morano De Santos
Terms:
Do not bring up Leon’s past without his permission.
Must live together, share the same room, and engage in sexual relations. Pregnancy is expected.
Falling in love unilaterally is prohibited (but not vice versa).
If Leon falls in love within one year, the contract is deemed successful, and compensation will be granted. An additional bonus will be awarded if pregnancy occurs.
Giselle’s eyes widened as she read the final section of the contract:
Compensation if successful: 1 trillion in cash, one luxury property, and shares in three major companies owned by the De Santos family.
She was speechless. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Is this a mistake? A luxury property, a trillion in cash? Even company shares?" she thought in disbelief.
Mrs. Hansel observed Giselle with a blank expression.
"That's a small price compared to what’s at stake if you fail. If you fail, my son will hate women even more. And believe me… you’ll get nothing."
Giselle slowly closed the folder. A plan began to take shape in her mind.
"If I succeed… I can build my dream hospital. I can live in peace. And maybe… I can reclaim my parents’ inheritance."
Giselle nodded. "Alright. I accept the terms."
Mrs. Hansel looked at her sharply. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"And you understand the risks?"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, Giselle picked up the pen on the table and signed the contract.
"Good." Mrs. Hansel took the folder back. "You’ll start living in our house tomorrow. And you’ll become my son’s wife—but your status will remain a secret."
Giselle nodded. "I understand."
"Good," Mrs. Hansel repeated. "Now go home and pack your things. The car will pick you up at eight in the morning."
"Alright."
Before leaving, Giselle glanced around the grand room. In her heart, she made a vow:
"If I can make that devilish man fall in love with me, I can change my fate. I can even take revenge on Dirly and that sleazy professor."
A smile began to form on her lips as she stepped out.
"Mr. Leon Morano De Santos," she whispered. "Get ready..."
***
The next day, at exactly eight o'clock, a black car pulled up in front of Giselle’s apartment. A uniformed driver politely opened the back door.
"Good morning, Miss Giselle. We've been assigned to pick you up."
Giselle simply nodded and stepped into the car. Her heart was racing—not from fear, but from the mental preparation needed to meet the man who would become her husband.
Leon Morano De Santos—the coldest, most feared man—and the one who had nearly died in her arms that night.
Minutes later, they arrived at the luxurious mansion she had visited the day before. But this time, the atmosphere felt more oppressive.
A female servant led her into the main living room. Moments later, the grand door opened.
The sound of leather shoes echoed through the room.
Giselle looked up.
And there he was—Leon—dressed in a black suit that fit his tall frame perfectly, his face sharp and unreadable.
"So... this is the girl you chose, Mom?" Leon's voice was deep and indifferent.
Giselle tried to smile. "Hello. I—"
But before she could finish her sentence, Leon stepped forward and gripped her neck.
Giselle gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
"You think you can succeed? You came here for the contract and the money, didn’t you?" Leon hissed coldly. "Greedy little girl. Don’t even dream of getting a single cent."
"M-Mr. Leon..." Giselle struggled to breathe.
"I hate women like you," Leon growled, still glaring. "You think you can make me fall in love? What a joke."
Giselle's fear suddenly gave way to fury. With the strength she had left, she shoved Leon back and stepped away.
"Don’t touch me, Mr. Leon!" Giselle shouted, panting.
Leon narrowed his eyes, surprised by her resistance. It was the first time a woman had dared to defy him.
Giselle stared directly into his eyes. "You are a devil, Mr. Leon. But even devils have hearts. And I swear, within three months, you will fall in love with me!"
Leon scoffed, letting out a dry laugh. "Three months? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard."
"We’ll see."
Giselle stood her ground. Her throat still ached, but her eyes remained steady.
Leon stared at her for a long moment, assessing her. Then he stepped closer, his face inches from hers.
"Alright," he said coldly. "Three months. If you fail to make me even slightly interested, I’ll personally throw you out."
"Good," Giselle replied calmly. "But when you start missing me… don’t cry when I’m no longer by your side, Mr. Leon."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her boldness.
"Starting today, you’ll stay in the guest room in the west wing. Never enter my office. Don’t meddle in my personal affairs. And don’t think you’re important just because you signed that ridiculous contract."
"Relax. I’m not a stalker," Giselle said, folding her arms. "But remember—I’m not a little girl you can push around."
Leon sneered. "We’ll see about that. I’ll make sure you don’t last here."
Giselle gave a thin smile, her fear hidden behind her pride.
"Alright! I’m not afraid of you, Mr. Leon!"
Then, in one unexpected move, Giselle boldly stepped forward and lightly brushed her lips against Leon’s.
"You..."