Chapter 6

ONCE YOU SIGN, THERE'S NO GOING BACK

Sunlight streamed through strange curtains, pulling Mia from her restless sleep. She stirred, her fingers brushing against the smooth, unfamiliar sheets. It didn't look anything like the one in her room. Everything around her felt foreign, the quiet, the gold furniture, the cool air. She sat up slowly, her mind foggy, trying to piece it all together.

It took a few seconds, but then it hit her like a wave. The party last night. Her father's voice. His announcement, clear and cold, as if he hadn't just upended her world in front of everyone.

Ethan. The hidden son she'd never met, the new heir to Meyers Industries. The anger in her chest began to rise again, clawing at her throat.

Her breathing quickened as more pieces fell into place. His suggestion in the office after the party, the way he had cornered her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His plan for her, neatly wrapped up in his condescending tone: "Marry Julian Thorn. Solidify your place, Mia. It's for the best."

She shoved her hair out of her face and swung her legs off the bed. Her father's words hung over her like a storm cloud, the ache in her chest refusing to fade. The anger hadn't disappeared overnight; it had only settled, colder now, sharper. And Stefan Sterling, last night's impulsive plan, was the only thread she had left to hold onto.

Her feet touched the cool tile as her gaze flicked around the room. That's when she saw it. An emerald-green dress, neatly draped over the couch, its fabric glinting softly in the sunlight. She stepped closer, letting her fingers skim over the smooth material. It wasn't hers. She didn't need to ask who had left it there, it had Stefan's calculating touch written all over it.

The bathroom brought more surprises. The scent of lavender greeted her, mixing with the steam curling around the shower. Bottles of shampoo and body wash lined the edge, each one carefully arranged. Exactly the brand she uses, they hadn't been there last night.

Her stomach twisted, her hands pausing on the sink by the realization that someone had entered while she slept, moved through her space without waking her. Normally, the smallest sound would have pulled her from sleep. But last night had been different, seems like the weight of anger and exhaustion had drowned her completely.

Under the hot spray of water, her thoughts churned. Her father had stripped everything from her in a single moment, leaving her with nothing but an ultimatum. Ethan had stolen her birthright, and Julian was her father's solution to keep her obedient, tied to the family with no real power. She wouldn't allow it.

But Stefan? That was different. She didn't trust him, not for a second. His world was sharp-edged and unpredictable, and stepping into it would be dangerous. But this wasn't about trust or safety, it was about survival. It was about control, about reclaiming the power her father thought he could take from her.

When she stepped out of the shower and slipped into the dress, her reflection caught her eye. She stared back at herself, her face pale but determined, her shoulders squared. The pain hadn't disappeared, but the anger, the fire in her chest, was enough to keep her standing. Today, she would marry Stefan Sterling. And she would make sure her father regretted every word he'd said. She was going to prove to him that she could handle an empire despite her gender.

Mia stepped into the living room, the soft click of her heels against the polished floor breaking the silence. She was dressed in the emerald-green gown Stefan had left for her, paired with sleek black shoes. Her posture was steady, her chin slightly lifted. If they were going to be tied together after today, this space would become hers too. There was no room to act like a guest.

Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Stefan, he stood near the window, his tall frame commanding even in the simplicity of his attire. A black tuxedo jacket, tailored to perfection, paired with sleek black pants. A cup in his hand, the steam curling softly into the air, and his eyes, fixed on the screen of his phone, sharp and unreadable.

She froze for a moment. He was handsome in a way that felt unfair, effortless. The light from the window played against his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. Her gaze lingered longer than she intended. Stefan shifted slightly, his focus lifting from his phone, and their eyes met.

The smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth was infuriating. He had caught her staring. Her cheeks flushed almost immediately, a warmth spreading that she tried to ignore. Mia cleared her throat, breaking the silence, and moved toward the couch, hoping he didn't notice how flustered she was.

As she lowered herself onto the couch, her eyes fell to the table in front of her. Two sets of papers lay there, neatly arranged. The bold lettering on the first one caught her attention. "Contract between Mia Meyers and Stefan Sterling." Her fingers hesitated before picking it up, the weight of it solid in her hands. But it wasn't the business agreement that surprised her. It was the second set of documents sitting beside it.

"Marriage registration" was boldly written on it. Her heart skipped.

She thought they'd go to the registry office, but the document was already sitting here waiting for her signature. When had he arranged all this? How had he pulled it off so quickly? The questions swirled in her mind, but before she could voice them, a voice broke through the quiet.

"Apologies for the delay, sir. Your meal has arrived."

Mia looked up sharply, her gaze landing on the man who had entered. She recognized him immediately. Mose. Always present, always watching, always close enough to Stefan that people whispered about his true role. Some said he was the assistant who knew too much, others insisted he was the bodyguard no one dared challenge. The truth? Mia didn't know, and judging by the unwavering calm in his demeanor, she doubted anyone ever would.

Mose placed a tray down carefully, nodding once toward Stefan, before his sharp eyes flicked to Mia. She felt the weight of his gaze, brief but assessing, before he stepped back. Stefan glanced over the table, seeming more interested in his coffee than the food, but his attention didn't linger there long.

Mia turned her focus back to the papers, the edges cutting into her palms as she gripped them a little tighter. The marriage contract felt heavier now, its presence looming like a reminder of the path she had chosen.

Stefan's voice broke through the tension, smooth and detached. "You'll want to read the terms carefully, Mia. Once you sign, there's no going back."