Bound by Contract

Arnav slowly pushed the black folder toward her across the desk.

"Open it."

Naina hesitated before flipping it open.

The moment her eyes landed on the title, her breath caught.

MUTUAL NON-DISCLOSURE & MATRIMONIAL AGREEMENT

Her head snapped upward instantly.

"Sir... yeh kya hai?"

"A solution."

"What kind of solution looks like a legal kidnapping?"

Arnav's jaw twitched slightly, like he was stopping himself from smiling.

"It's simple," he said calmly. "A one-year contract marriage."

"...WHAT?"

Her voice echoed across the cabin.

Outside, two employees passing by immediately slowed down near the glass walls.

Arnav pressed a button on his desk.

"Cancel all meetings for the next hour," he said into the intercom without breaking eye contact with her.

"Yes, sir."

Click.

Then his attention returned entirely to Naina.

"You'll act as my wife in front of my family and the media," he explained. "We attend events together, live under the same roof when necessary, maintain appearances, and after one year... we file for divorce peacefully."

Naina stared at him like he had personally lost his mind.