Dominic's POV I watched how her facial expression changed, the way her face twisted with fear when I mentioned a condition. She was the first person that confronted me, who dared to look me in the eyes and spoke without flinching. Instead she had looked at me fearlessly,not even scared of what I might do and ever since then I was so curious about her, because she didn't do what other ladies would have done, if I had thrown them out.

That hair of hers, kept flashing in my head, her ginger curly hair seemed to draw me more than I expected, like there was something that keeps bothering me, about seeing it again. The hair portrayed a good example of how she was, an untamed and wild lady, her sass got the best of her that day.

But trusting someone was a very impossible decision to make at this point in my life. The betrayal still replayed in my mind, how the media asked for things that shouldn't be heard, how he collided with my rival to bring me down. He was my childhood best friend, we shared views on how to grow our business, but he stabbed me in the back. He didn't just take the deal away from me, he took my company's stability, my reputation, years I've clawed to get to that position, what I've done to be at that post. I dragged a hand in my hair, as I've sworn not to allow any distractions in my life, not after I trusted the wrong person.

My uncle had fully taken over the business, he was part of the board members, but pretended to want the growth of the company, after I left he took over the position of the head of board, and has been making silly decisions since then, while my best friend, Alex, the CEO of Hale enterprises. I went into hiding after the scandal…no one except Camilla knew where I was staying, the media wasn't helping out, I became a laughing stock between other companies, but it wouldn't last because I'm back and I'll make sure each and everyone regret ever taking over my company.

And yet, something tells me Camilla would be the perfect partner for my plans. I had to get my company back, to get to the top again, to clear the scandal but I needed someone, who would join me in this journey of revenge. Someone I knew who could handle my enemies without flinching, someone who the media won't notice.

I don't need someone who would cling to me like a lifeline. I needed someone who would stand beside me and make the performance look believable, someone the world would look at, and won't have a doubt about. Camilla had the elegance for it. She had the intelligence, and most especially she had the motive to agree without asking too many questions. Presently, she needed to pay for her sister's immediate surgery,she won't be able to disagree. She would be my chef and also be my devoted wife, who would share views, and our plans. The contract is just a year, when we're done we would both path ways.

“The condition…isn't hard Camilla”, I said touching her cheeks, as she froze at my touch. “You'll be my chef and also my devoted wife”. She stared at me, dumbfounded. “Sir.. you want me to be your wife?”, she asked. “Yes, you will. But not the romantic way, just a contract which would last a year, you don't have much time, your sister's life is going, and I don't condone time wasters”. I slipped the document out of the headboard, I gave it to her to read. She read silently, her eyes glancing at every word written on the piece of paper. “You want me to be your wife, in order to clear your scandal and get revenge on your best friend and Uncle?”, she asked again. “Yes, immediately you sign the documents, your sister's surgery would be paid and you'll be given the job, with each salary per month, and after the contract, you'll be given a sum of 10 million dollars, to start your life, and stop asking unnecessary questions. My time is limited, if you want my help, we can both render ourselves assistance”.

A few minutes later, she signed the document and handed it over to me. “What's next?”, she asked. “ Send in the account details”. After she had sent it, she heard a notification, she just stared at me, astonished that I could do such a thing. The car drove to a spot, after the rain had subsided, “I am expecting you tomorrow, I don't condone lateness”, she nodded and I drove off.

Camilla's pov

What the hell did I just do? I just signed my freedom away, a contract? When he said he wants a devoted wife, I made a jump up laugh in my head. Who the heck would wed such a rude asshole. I took a cab back to the hospital, where I saw Dr Heyes. “Sir, it's ready”, and I watched how my sister was taken from the ward to the operating room. I held her hands, whispering silent prayers. My eyes were already puffy and filled with bags, I had not slept since I heard what Dr Heyes sent to me. And now, I had agreed to a marriage, I never planned to.

Moreover, he wants to marry someone who has already been abandoned and broken. I didn't understand why he chose me, among all the girls that flocks around him. There were richer, prettier, more daring, stronger women outside that could be his wife. I wasn't ready to face what marriage was, when it had been broken by my own fiance long ago. I'll have to be Mrs Heyes in the papers. I had no idea what to tell Aurora when she heard about the sudden news of being the wife of Dominic Hale.

The door of the operation room opened, revealing Dr Heyes. I rushed to him, immediately he stepped out. “How's she?”, that was my first question, “did she make it”, I wanted just one reply. “ Yes, Miss Reed..she made it, but she's weak”. A tear slipped down my cheek, she made it. My munchkin was back, I was so happy, about what Doctor Heyes just said. I sat at the waiting section, just then a nurse walked over to my side. “Miss someone is asking for you outside”. I frowned, because I wasn't expecting anyone. “Who?”, I asked the nurse. “They didn't say, just said it was important”. My curiosity picked,Who could possibly be looking for me, here in the hospital? I stood up and followed the nurse toward the hospital entrance.

When my eyes fell on the person, I stopped mid step, I was beyond stunned, as I whispered the person's name, barely believing who was at my front.