Chapter 3 The Coldest Deal

The first few weeks passed quickly, but they felt empty.

Sasha didn't leave the penthouse during that time. She stayed mostly inside, moving from room to room in silence. The view from the tall glass windows showed the entire city, but even that beauty couldn't hide how trapped she felt.

This wasn't what she expected at all.

Her body was being prepared for the surrogacy-strict schedules, medical tests, vitamins-but her mind? No one seemed to care about that.

Damon Reyes was cold, distant, and completely focused on the business side of things. He never offered comfort, never asked how she felt. He treated her like part of a contract-nothing more.

The first night he came to her room, it wasn't intimate or gentle. It was all business, like shaking hands to seal a deal. He didn't talk much. No small talk, no polite smile. Just cold instructions.

Sasha had never met a man like him before. He didn't insult her or act cruel. But he made her feel like she didn't exist.

Each day blended into the next. She followed the schedule he gave her-doctor visits, light workouts, a strict diet-but the rest of the time, she was left alone. Damon only spoke to her when absolutely necessary. Everything else was handled by others. Assistants came and went, chefs made her meals, a driver waited on standby, but none of it mattered.

It was a golden cage. Expensive. Beautiful. But still a cage.

When Damon did show up, it was only for quick updates or to check on progress. He always looked sharp in his tailored suits, his expression hard and unreadable. His eyes were cold. Ice cold.

And yet, his presence still did something to her.

There was something powerful about him. When he entered a room, the air changed. He didn't need to speak for people to notice. Sasha noticed. Hard as she tried, she couldn't get her heart to stop beating fast whenever he was near.

She willed herself time after time to focus only on the reason she was here. The money. Twenty million dollars. Enough to pay for her father's surgery and save his life. That was the goal. Nothing else mattered.

---

From where he was standing in his office, behind the glass wall. Damon watched Sasha without saying a word. Even though he tried very hard to distract himself by burying his head deep into work, he occasionally found his thoughts drifting to her.

She was stretched out on a lounge chair in the terrace. She had a book on her lap. Even though she appears to be calm, he could tell there was a lot on her mind.

She had strength. He had to admit that. Other women in her position might have complained, demanded more, shown signs of weakness. But not Sasha. She had handled everything quietly, without breaking down.

Something about her caught his attention. This was weird because he couldn't say what it was and he definitely wasn't going to admit that he was having a pull towards her.

There was only one reason they found themselves together and that was for an heir to be produced and that's it.

Still, he found himself wondering what was going through her mind.

---

Sasha closed the book with a soft sigh. She hadn't read a single page. The words on the paper meant nothing to her. Her thoughts kept wandering.

No matter how beautiful, how cozy or how fancy the place looked, it wasn't home. it would never be. Plus she knew she didn't belong here and she hates it so kuch.

But she had to stay. She needed the money. That was the only reason she agreed to this.

And yet, something about Damon made her uneasy.

For most of the times, He was very strict, emotionless was the right word and then he'd change and become softer, caring.

Yes,but wasn't enough to mean anything but it was enough to confuse her.

Was he really as heartless as he seemed?

She couldn't allow herself to care. She was part of a deal, nothing more.

She stepped onto the balcony, her eyes scanning the city. Her thoughts returned to her father, lying in a hospital bed, waiting for a second chance.

She needed to stay strong. That was all that mattered.

---

Damon came back earlier than he used to that evening. He looked powerful, Sharp. Every bit of the boss he is but looking into his eyes, you could see the storm brewing.

"It's time for dinner." Peter announced.

Damon didn't say a word in response. He just nodded and walked straight to the dining room. Sasha was already seated when he came in. He looked up the moment she heard him come in.

For a brief moment, no one said anything but the silence was loud.

"I'm sure you're enjoying your stay here." It was more of a statement than a question.

She rolled her eyes at him. "If I remember correctly, this wasn't meant to be a vacation so I see no reason why I should be enjoying it." He voice was calm but firm.

His eyes never left hers. "I don't remember saying it was."

Her shoulders shifted slightly. She was ready for whatever he might say next.

He noticed something different about her. She seemed to have possessed strength now. She easily challenged him and strangely, he found that... appealing.

"Everything's going as planned," he said, lifting his wine glass. "The doctors are happy with the results."

She gave a small nod, eyes fixed on her water glass. "That's good."

They didn't say much more. But the tension sat between them like a third guest at the table. It had been there from the start. Neither wanted to acknowledge it. But it was there.

---

Sasha stood in front of the mirror in her room, studying her reflection. She still looked the same but she felt something shifting inside her. Was it the stress from the procedure? Was it staying here with Damon? She couldn't quite place her hand on it.

She turned at the sound of the door opening behind her.

It was him.

"Everything okay?" His voice was low, softer than usual, but still carried weight.

She tensed but didn't turn around. "Yes."

He didn't move. She expected him to speak again, but he didn't. She felt him behind her, close but silent.

Her body froze. The air felt too heavy to breathe.

She waited.

Finally, she heard the door close. He had left.

Only then did she breathe again.