Chapter 7 Deal Terms
Camellia: POV
"But I have my conditions," I said into the phone, keeping my voice steady and professional despite the late hour.
Richard's voice had a strained quality as he replied, "I'm all ears, Ms. Frost."
"First, we need a detailed prenuptial agreement covering not just assets, but every aspect of our relationship."
"Second, I want to meet within three days to discuss specifics. This isn't a game, Richard."
"Three days?" He sounded surprised. "That urgent?"
"This decision affects two families, an unborn child, and the future of my company," I replied coldly. "We need to talk face-to-face immediately."
After he agreed, I ended the call and stared at my phone.
What had I just done? My hand moved to my still-flat stomach. Three months until NexaCore became insolvent. Twenty-eight employees depending on me.
Years of work potentially going to Quinn Cybersecurity, whose CEO had drugged me that night.
A marriage of convenience with Richard Bloom would solve my funding crisis.
Though this marriage has nothing to do with love, hearts are fickle things.
Even in marriages built on love, those who once vowed eternal devotion can still betray that very trust, just as my father did. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Three days later, I sat across from Richard in a Manhattan law firm's conference room, wearing my power suit—navy blue, perfectly tailored.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, New York's skyline glittered.
Richard kept sipping water, his face pale.
I pushed a package of ginger candies across the table. "Try these. They help with morning sickness."
His surprised look was almost worth admitting I'd been researching pregnancy symptoms.
"First, a standard separation of assets agreement," I said, sliding the document toward him. "My company, patents, and personal assets remain independent. Yours do the same."
Richard barely glanced at it before nodding.
I frowned. "You don't even want to read it carefully?"
"I have no interest in your money, Camellia. Especially not your company's."
His directness caught me off guard. Before I could respond, he turned pale and rushed to the bathroom.
When he returned, I continued outlining my terms.
"I have clear expectations for this marriage, Richard. We'll maintain separate work and social circles but present a united front publicly. Our child will have the hyphenated surname Frost-Bloom."
"You're treating marriage like a corporate merger," he observed.
"Marriage is a contractual relationship," I replied without hesitation. "I don't expect love, but I demand respect and honesty."
Richard presented his conditions: "This marriage needs to be real, at least in appearance." He proposed that I spend two evenings weekly at social events with him and that we live together in New York.
"Why are you so fixated on appearances?" I asked directly.
He avoided my gaze. "Because my grandfather values family image."
"We both know this is a transaction, Richard. Don't delude yourself."
He suddenly became earnest. "Maybe initially I just needed an escape... but now we're really going to raise a child together. I want them to grow up in a family that at least appears normal."
I felt my expression soften for a moment. "That's our only common ground right now."
The Bloom estate was intimidatingly elegant.
As Richard led me into the dining room, William Bloom rose from his seat, smiling warmly.
"Camellia, welcome to the Bloom family."
Elizabeth took my hand with unexpected warmth. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, dear."
Victoria embraced me like we were already sisters. "I bet you've already made my brother sign that agreement?"
I maintained my professional smile, though their warmth caught me completely off guard.
The way they spoke to each other, finished each other's sentences, shared knowing looks—when had I last seen a family actually enjoy being together?
The Blooms moved around each other like pieces of a well-oiled machine, but not in a cold, efficient way. More like... like they actually liked each other.
During dinner, Elizabeth asked about my company. Despite myself, I found myself getting animated as I described building NexaCore from nothing.
William interjected, "I read your paper on predictive algorithms in security applications. Quite impressive."
I turned to him, surprised. "Few people pay attention to such academic work."
"I maintain interest in any technology related to national security," he replied with a knowing smile.
Victoria showed me their family photos. "This is Richard at twelve. His greatest ambition then was becoming a math professor."
I studied young Richard hunched over equations, seeing something completely different from his playboy image.
Around me, conversation flowed easily—Victoria teasing Richard while Elizabeth smiled fondly at the photo. They were so comfortable with each other, so naturally protective.
My chest tightened. I thought of my mother, sitting alone at our dinner table night after night, waiting for a husband who never came home. The silence in our house had been deafening.
The Blooms had this house full of laughter and love, while my mother just... faded away after Dad moved his girlfriend in with us. Living with his betrayal every single day just destroyed her completely.
"He's much more complex than he appears," Victoria said quietly, watching my face.
I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. "Yes," I managed.
As we prepared to leave, William spoke to me privately. "I know this marriage doesn't have an ideal beginning, but Richard needs a partner who can help him grow."
"I'm not here to change him," I replied honestly. Though part of me wondered what it would be like to have what Richard had—this solid foundation of people who actually gave a damn about you.
"Sometimes, the best changes happen when we least expect them."
Elizabeth joined us, adding, "I can see there's something... special between you."
I glanced at Richard, who was rushing toward the bathroom again. Special? I wouldn't recognize special if it hit me in the face. My only reference point for marriage was watching my father destroy my mother, piece by piece.
William chuckled. "No man experiences Couvade syndrome for a woman who doesn't matter to him."
In the luxury sedan returning to Manhattan, I leaned against the leather seat, replaying the evening.
"Your family wasn't what I expected," I admitted.
Richard laughed. "You mean they weren't arrogant and dismissive?"
"They were... welcoming." The word felt strange in my mouth. More than welcoming—they were everything I'd never had. A family that actually worked, that supported each other without strings attached.
"Why does that surprise you?"
"It's not just about the baby, Richard. Your grandfather had actually read my research papers, your mother genuinely cared about my company..." I stopped myself before I could say more.
After a moment of silence, Richard asked, "Should I formally ask your father for your hand?"
My expression went cold instantly. I turned to stare out the window. "That won't be necessary."
"But it's tradition, Camellia. If we're going to put on a show, we should do it properly."
"They don't deserve it," I said flatly. "You don't need to accommodate them. Ever."