Fiona’s eyes widened as she took in the grandiose villa before her. The villa stood proudly against the evening sky, glowing with warm lights that gave hints of the beauty inside. Her heart raced as she tried to process the magnitude of the place. It felt like a fairy tale. Something she had read in a book. But this was real. It was all too real, and she was a shocked guest.

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” she almost asked aloud, but the words caught in her throat. She swallowed them and stayed silent, watching as Dwayne smoothly maneuvered his car into the driveway.

Dwayne, ever so calm and confident, parked the car and turned off the engine. He glanced over at Fiona, who was still seated in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the villa in front of them, and he smiled. With a practiced ease, he exited the vehicle, walked around to her side, and opened the door. Without a word, he undid her seatbelt and, with a gentle yet firm grip, scooped her up into his arms.

Fiona’s breath caught in her throat. She wasn’t used to such tenderness or care. Men in black t-shirts and jeans swarmed around them, eager to assist, but Dwayne waved them off with a casual gesture.

“Just take her crutches to the guest room closest to mine,” Dwayne instructed, and Fiona suddenly felt warm inside.

 “Also get the maid to clean up the room. ”He added, and Fiona watched as the men nodded and hurried off with her crutches

She looked up in wonder at Dwayne, who was holding her effortlessly, and he looked down at her. His brown eyes catching her big, green ones. 

“Shocked?” he asked, his voice low and warm, and Fiona nodded, her eyes still wide with amazement. 

“I thought you were a simple man, ” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, and Dwayne chuckled. A rich, deep sound that seemed to resonate with the elegance of the surroundings.

 “I am a simple man,” He replied with a playful grin. 

“A very simple multi-billionaire.” He added, and Fiona stared at him in disbelief. 

The contrast between her previous life and this luxurious setting was almost too much to bear. Her parents were rich before they died. Not rich enough to afford a place like this, but they were rich. However, ever since Lorenzo took over, everything went in a freaking downward spiral. 

As Dwayne carried her through the grand entrance of the villa, Fiona marveled at the grandeur that surrounded her. The shiny tiled floors, the crystal chandeliers, the elaborate painting and curtains adorning the walls, all the lights… The villa screamed wealth and suddenly, Fiona began to feel out of place.

They arrived at a large, beautifully decorated room, and Dwayne carefully set Fiona down on the bed, he hovered over her for a moment. Just staring into her eyes before finally stepping back.

“I’ll leave you in the hands of my staff. They’ll get you settled,” He said, his tone soft and caring, and Fiona just stared at him. She wanted to tell him to stay and sit a while with her, but she knew better than to utter such nonsense.

She watched as he left, the door clicking shut behind him, and she sighed. The room was a sanctuary of comfort, filled with soft, pleasing scents, and elegant furnishings. Soon, the butler and maids came in and she was surrounded by a cloud of activities as the butler and maids tended to her every need. The maids bathed her, dressed her in soft, luxurious pajamas, and even fed her a light meal. After they were sure she was comfortable, they all left. Leaving Fiona unsure of how to feel.

The transition from being a slave and living in fear, to being treated with such respect and care was overwhelming. She was lost in thought when she heard a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called, her voice trembling slightly.

The door opened, and Dwayne stepped inside. His presence was calming, and his demeanor reassuring. He walked over to the edge of her bed and sat down, his gaze warm and fixed on Fiona. 

“Are you comfortable?” He asked, and she nodded before looking down at her nails and wiping imaginary dirt off them.

 “Yes, thank you. ”She replied and Dwayne smiled for a few seconds before his expression turned serious. 

“There’s something I need to discuss with you,” He said, and Fiona immediately looked up at him as hse heard the change in his tone of voice.

“W… What about? “She questioned and Dwayne took a deep breath.

“It’s only a matter of time before your brother finds you. When he does, I won’t be in a position to stop him from taking you back. ”He said and Fiona’s heart raced at the mention of her brother. The fear of returning to him was a dark shadow looming over her newfound sense of security, and immediately, she found her mouth moving on its own.

 “I don’t want to go back to him,” She said, her voice trembling, and Dwayne sighed, a mixture of sympathy and helplessness in his eyes. 

“I understand. But I have a reputation to uphold. I can’t interfere in matters that don’t concern me directly. What happened at the club was different… It was an isolated incident. A small matter. But this? Hiding you away from your brother in my house will spark a lot of unwanted rumors. ”He explained and Fiona’s mind spun with the implications of his words. The idea of going back to her brother was terrifying, and she felt a sense of desperation. 

“So what am I supposed to do? I can’t go back. He’ll sell me off. 

That’s even if he doesn’t kill me for what I did tonight. 

You’re my only hope, Dwayne. I’ve never had somewhere or one to run to. This is the safest I have felt in a long time. Please don’t let me go back.” She began to panic, and Dwayne’s expression softened. 

“I have a proposal for you, ”He said, and Fiona’s interest was picked. 

“I have a child, an eight-year-old, who is staying with my uncle and aunt outside the country. My family has been pressuring me to find a wife for the sake of my child. ”He said and Fiona’s heart skipped a beat.

She never imagined that he had a child.

“A… A child… A wife? I don’t understand. What does that have to do with this? ”She questioned and Dwayned inhaled deeply.

 “I’m asking you to marry me, Fiona. If you agree, you’ll be taken care of, all your needs will be provided for. As my wife, Lorenzo won’t be able to touch you, because you’ll have my name and my protection. I will have every right to protect you and keep you away from him. My child would have a mother figure and my family would get off my back. ”He explained, and Fiona stared at him in shock. 

“But why me? Why not someone else?”

“Because I need someone I can trust,” Dwayne replied. 

“And because I believe you need protection from your brother. The marriage would be a contract. A formal arrangement that would last for a year. After that, once you’ve secured your grandfather’s fortune, you can choose to stay or leave. It’s your choice. 

It’s just a compromise that will benefit us both for a year. I can’t trust any other person but you, right now. ”He spoke, and Fiona just gawked at him.

The enormity of his proposal settled over Fiona like a heavy cloak. The idea of marrying a man she barely knew, even under these circumstances, was daunting. And yet, the idea of escaping her brother’s grasp permanently was a powerful motivator.

Dwayne studied her face, his eyes searching for any sign of hesitation. 

“I’ll give you time to think about it,” he said gently, and Fiona stared at him as he stood up. 

He had almost reached the door when her voice stopped him.

 “I’ll do it.”

Dwayne’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as he turned to look at her and Fiona swallowed.

“Are you sure? ”He questioned, and Fiona nodded although her heart was racing.

“It’s just 365 days. What’s the worst that could happen? You’re definitely nothing like my brother, so… I should be fine. ” she said finally, her voice firm, but Dwayne remained skeptical.

He shook his head slightly, a small, knowing smile on his lips. 

“I appreciate your decision, but I need you to be absolutely certain. This is a big commitment. Once you sign the contract and meet my child, there will be no turning back until the year is up. ”He spoke, and Fiona smiled at him.

“You will keep Lorenzo away from me. Right? “She questioned and he nodded.

“Yes. ” 

“Then I agree to marry you. It’s the least I can do to thank you for all you’ve done for me. ”She replied and Dwayne just stared at her.

“Fiona… “He began, but she cut him off.

“It’s a contract marriage. I’m sure. “She said, and Dwayne’s smile widened, and he walked back to the bed. 

“Very well, then. I’ll make the arrangements and have the contract drawn up as soon as possible. Get some rest tonight, and we’ll discuss everything in detail tomorrow. ”He said and with a final nod, he turned to leave the room. 

Fiona watched him go, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and hope. As the door closed behind him, she was left alone with her thoughts, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders. 

Lying back in bed, Fiona tried to calm her racing thoughts. The idea of being a wife, of living in this luxurious villa, and of finding some semblance of safety was both exhilarating and terrifying. She knew she had taken a massive step… If not even leap. One that would forever alter the course of her life. 

But as fear gnawed at her and common sense called her names, she held onto hope that from here on out, everything went beautifully and that she would only know peace.