On The Day I Was Abandoned, I Married A Mysterious Billionaire

Kathrine POV:

"Three conditions," I said, keeping my voice firm. "First: this remains a business arrangement. We are equal partners. We maintain separate finances, and you do not interfere with my career at Vanguard Arts."

"Agreed," he said without hesitation.

"Second: we do not share a bedroom. We maintain our private lives without intrusion."

Damian looked at me, his pale blue eyes assessing my expression. "I have a multi-level penthouse in Tribeca. You will have your own wing and as much privacy as you require."

"Third: this arrangement ends upon mutual agreement whenever your family matters are settled, and neither of us makes any claim against the other's assets."

Damian gave a small nod toward the hall. "Ian."

The assistant stepped forward immediately, holding a thin black tablet.

"Standard mutual separation agreement and property protection," Ian said, handing me a stylus. "Clauses four through seven explicitly protect Miss Fields's intellectual property and maternal trust funds."

I scanned the terms. It was clean and fair. "You had this ready?"

"I keep standard agreements on file for commercial partnerships," Damian said calmly. "Sign, Miss Fields."

I pressed the stylus to the glass: Kathrine Fields.

Damian took the tablet, his fingers brushing against mine—warm and solid against my cold hands. He signed with a single, practiced stroke: Damian Sharpe.

Ian took the tablet back to handle the electronic filing. Damian turned to me and extended his hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Fields."

I placed my hand in his broad palm. His grip was firm.

"It's Mrs. Sharpe now," I said, keeping my voice level.

A quiet glint appeared in his eyes. "Indeed, Mrs. Sharpe."

We walked back to window three together. The clerk stamped the registry book, printed the official certificate, and handed it across the counter.

When the paper was in my hands, it felt cool and real.

We walked out through the brass doors into the autumn afternoon. At the curb sat a long, midnight-black Bentley with tinted windows.

Ian opened the rear door. Damian held his hand flat over the roof frame so I wouldn't hit my head as I climbed into the leather interior.

The door closed with a heavy thud, shutting out the city noise.

"There is one detail," Damian said, loosening his dark silk tie. "For the next few weeks, this marriage will remain private from the press and my extended family."

I turned to him. "I thought the point was to stop your family's blind dates?"

"Letting my grandmother know I am married is one matter," he explained, looking out the tinted window. "Pulling you into the scrutiny of the family board before our legal footing is firm is another. It is better to keep things quiet for now."

It sounded sensible. I nodded. "Keeping it quiet suits me perfectly."

"Good," he said.

The car glided into the traffic. Outside, the grey buildings blurred past, and the knot of panic in my stomach slowly began to loosen.