Chapter 7 A Sealed Deal

• Cece’s POV
• The penthouse was immaculate, every surface gleaming as I walked through the doors, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions I’d gone through in the past hour. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the heretic, the man I’d never met face-to-face but had come to admire through his gestures of kindness.
• The man who had changed my mother’s life with a simple, generous donation, had come to mean more to me than anyone else. I wasn’t prepared for the truth that was about to shatter everything.
• The city lights twinkled outside the huge windows, casting a soft glow across the pristine furniture. My heart was still racing from the earlier email I’d received. But why? Why hadn’t I been suspicious when the meeting was set up? Why had I ignored the questions gnawing at the back of my mind?
• I stood there, nervously fidgeting, unsure of what was going to happen next. I knew I needed answers. I had to thank him—thank the stranger who had helped my mother. But I also had a million questions.
• And then, he walked in.
• Sebastian Carnall. The man who had been my hero. The man I’d built a picture of in my mind that was far too perfect to be true. But standing before me now, he wasn’t the stranger I had imagined. The smooth, calculated look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t the warm-hearted man I thought I knew. No. This man was all business.
• "Cece," he said, his voice cool but with a hint of something more underneath, something I couldn't quite place. "I’m glad you came."
• I blinked, too stunned to speak at first. My mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle.
• I should’ve been angry. I should’ve demanded answers. But the man standing before me made it so hard to think straight. There was an aura around him, one that commanded attention, one that made it impossible to look away.
• I finally found my voice. "So it’s you," I whispered, almost breathless. "You’re the one who helped my mother." My hands clenched into fists at my sides. "You’re the one who changed our lives."
• He didn’t flinch. His gaze never left mine, steady and calculating. "Yes," he said simply. "I did that."
• I took a step back, my chest tightening with confusion and suspicion. "Then why?" I demanded, my voice breaking. "Why didn’t you just tell me? Why the mystery? Why hide behind this... charade?"
• Sebastian’s lips twitched into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Because it was never just about helping your mother, Cece. It was about getting you here. Getting you to this moment."
• I felt my heart sink. "What do you mean?" I could barely manage to speak the words as my mind struggled to catch up.
• He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "I need you to marry me."
• The words hit me like a slap to the face. I blinked rapidly, unable to process them. "What?" I whispered, voice barely audible. "What did you just say?"
• "You heard me," he said, his tone cold, controlled, as if he were making a business deal, not offering his heart. "I need you to marry me. You’re the key to securing a deal that will benefit us both."
• I shook my head in disbelief. "You... You want me to marry you?" The question left my lips, but it felt like I was speaking in another language. This couldn’t be happening.
• Sebastian’s gaze darkened, a fire burning behind his eyes. "It’s not just about me, Cece. It’s about the future. My future. The future of my family."
• "You can’t be serious," I muttered, stepping back. My head was spinning. The man I had trusted, the man who had been a hero in my mind, had turned into a manipulative stranger with a plan that didn’t involve love—it was about control, business, and power. I couldn’t breathe.
• He didn’t back down. He stepped closer again, his voice low and steady, almost soothing in its calm. "I am serious. And I know you need this. I know you need the money, the security. The marriage will give you that, and it will give me what I need."
• I felt something shift inside me, something cold and furious. "You think I’d just marry you for money?" I shot back, my voice shaking with anger. "You think I’m that desperate?"
• He let out a slow breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "It’s not just money, Cece. It’s security. It’s a contract. A deal. I’ll make sure your mother’s medical expenses are taken care of for the rest of her life. In exchange, you’ll marry me. You’ll help secure my position as CEO."
• I stared at him, the realization sinking in, cold and bitter. "So that’s what this is about," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "A contract. A business deal. You never cared about me. You never cared about helping me."
• Sebastian’s eyes flashed with something unreadable. "I cared. I wouldn’t have helped if I didn’t care." His voice softened ever so slightly, but his dominance was undeniable. "But this is bigger than both of us, Cece. This is about survival. About making sure we both get what we need."
• I took a step back, my legs feeling weak. "You think I’m just going to agree to this? That I’ll marry you just like that?"
• He crossed the room in two strides, his presence overwhelming. "Yes. Because you don’t have a choice. The money, the security... it’s yours. All you have to do is agree."
• My pulse raced, my mind reeling. "What if I say no?" I asked, almost daring him to answer.
• Sebastian paused, his gaze never wavering. "Then you lose everything. Your mother’s care, your future... it all falls apart."
• I felt the weight of his words, the pressure of his presence. He was right. I had no leverage here. I was trapped, and deep down, I knew that no matter how much I hated this—no matter how much I wanted to refuse—I couldn’t walk away.
• "You’re not offering me a choice, are you?" I whispered, the defeat settling in.
• "No," he said, his voice hard. "But you will find that this is the best option for both of us."
• I swallowed the lump in my throat. "And what are the terms, Sebastian? How much are you offering me for my soul?" The bitterness tasted like acid in my mouth.
• He stepped forward, his hand reaching for mine, his touch firm. "It’s not about money, Cece. It’s about survival. You’ll get what you need, and in return, I’ll get what I need. A marriage, a partnership. A deal. That’s all this is."
• “I am offering you thirty million dollars to quit your old job, be my wife and save your mother’s life.” He pressed further.
• I looked at him, my chest tightening with a mixture of anger, disbelief, and something I couldn’t place. But one thing was clear—there was no turning back now. This was happening.
• The money was a lot, I got into porn for money but Sebastian was offering a whole lot more. How could I say no?!
• "Fine," I said, my voice steady. "I’ll marry you. But don’t expect me to love you. This is just business."
• Sebastian’s lips curled into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I didn’t expect love, Cece. I only expect a partnership."
• And with those words, the deal was sealed.
• I was going to spend the remaining 365 days with a fake Billionaire husband.