Evelyn's POV

My heart pounding, I fixed my gaze on the empty wall of my little office. The typical buzz of the air conditioner did not help to soothe the discomfort boiling under my skin. As the secretary of Dominic Kane, the 35-year-old CEO of Kane Enterprises, I go by Evelyn Harper. Though I had spent years working for Dominic, today was different. Today is different.

I turned to check the time. The office was nearly silent at around midnight. The only sounds were the distant murmur of city traffic and the odd clatter of a mouse or keyboard from other late-night workers. For weeks, I had been staying late making sure Dominic's next major deal was set up. I had no idea, tonight would bring a far more personal tempest.

The hefty wooden door leading Dominic's office creaked open just then. Dominic himself came out, his tall form striking even in the low light. His typically cool and calculated blue eyes, which were always so clear, now bore something incomprehensible. He appeared tired, his usually perfect suit rumpled. His regular confidence in his step looked to be wavering.

"Evelyn," he replied with a low rumbling in his voice. "We have to chat."

I choked hard, my mind racing with what could be so crucial that he was phoning right now. Certainly, Mr. Kane?

He pointed for me to follow into his office. Dark wood paneling and leather furniture defined the large and opulent area. Domino closed the door behind us and turned to face me.

"Sit down," he commanded, his voice devoid of any margin for debate.

I sat down attempting to calm my shaking hands. My nerves were on tight alert. Dominic sat down running a hand through his dark hair after strolling around his large desk. There was tightness on his face.

"I got some disturbing news today," he said, slumping forward. "Your brother Jake was abducted."

My heart still missed a beat. Jamie. My younger brother. "What precisely do you mean? Said?"

Dominic's face grew stiffer. "He has been taken captive. Their demand for a large ransom far more than you could pay."

I got shivers running down my back. "Why would they have him? What do they want?"

"Money, obviously," Dominic answered, though his eyes revealed a deeper worry. "But they're getting to me using him."

I started to feel quite sick. " How do you know this?"

He stopped. "The kidnapped people left a note. Knowing about our company's operations, they are using this to acquire what they desire."

I got up and paced the space. "I simply do not have that type of money. I have no idea where to start either.

Though his expression stayed austere, Dominic's eyes softened. "There is a way you might get the money."

I turned to him, hope flickering about. "What Is it?"

He drew in a long breath. "Marry me."

Confounded, I fixed my gaze on him. "Mary you? What are you referring to?

Dominic had a gloomy line on his face. "I want you to be my contracted married partner. It will save Jake as well as you.

I gave a disbelieving head shake. "A contract marriage? That's... really ridiculous. How could that even be helpful?

"It's not just a marriage," Dominic said, his voice firm. "It's a calculated action. The contract will provide me legal clout to guard my assets and guarantee our ability to satisfy their needs. It will also guard Jake and you.

My brain spun. Although it sounded ridiculous to consider marrying Dominic, desperate times demanded desperate responses. I let a long breath in. "What's the catch?"

"Your brother's safety and my business stability," Dominic answered decisively. "If you agree, I'll see to it that Jake is returned to you and the ransom paid."

The room appeared to shut in all around. As I considered the weight of his proposition, my heart thumping Through the idea of Jake in peril was intolerable, a part of me wanted to turn away completely.

"Think it over," Dominic murmured, rising. "I'll give you tonight to weigh in. Remember, though, the more dangerous this scenario gets the more we postpone."

I nodded, too shocked to talk. Dominic left me by myself in the room, his words weighing down the silence. Slumping onto a chair, I fixated on the floor. The idea of marrying Dominic, with his cold attitude and enigmatic past, was intolerable. But losing Jake was unimaginable in the other direction.

The city lights appeared to be weaker as I left the workplace, and traffic sounds far away. In a state of stupor, I strolled home while my head whirled with confusion and terror.

Plot twist:

I discovered an envelope dropped under my door when I finally arrived home. As I tore it open, my hands shook to expose a single sheet of paper bearing a handwritten note: "We know about your plans. Not relocate without our consent.

My blood stopped cold. The kidnappers were obviously intently observing me. Knowing of Dominic's offer, they were advising me to keep cooperative. The insight struck me hard: there was no safe decision. Every stride I made was watched under their direction.

Returning to my apartment, I tried to organize my ideas but kept haunted by the picture of Jake's terrified face. The doorbell startled me from my day-dream. Peering through the peephole, I saw nothing. Hesitating, I opened the door to discover another envelope on the floor.

My hands quit when I opened it. Inside was a picture of terrified-looking Jake with a note scrawled on it: "Time is running out. Evelyn, decide which one you want. Alternatively, he suffers."

My heart pounded as panic seized. I had to decide on something. Marry Dominic and hope for a fix; else, risk Jake's life by not acting. Every time on the clock drew me closer to a choice I was not ready to make.

Clutching the picture, I stood there with the weight of the approaching choice squarely on my shoulders. What I would decide in the next few hours would determine Dominic's trust, my own destiny, and Jake's life.