The Billionaire's Cold Vow

Adrianna's POV February 5, 2024 Australia – Present Day. The rain lashed against the windows like it was trying to claw its way inside, echoing a storm that mirrored the chaos in my mind. Thunder cracked and lightning flickered through the curtains in violent flashes. I was drenched in sweat despite the cold and was caught in the depths of a dream I couldn’t escape. I was running really fast. I couldn't turn back to take a look at the person pursuing or else I would fall. My stilettos skidded across wet pavement, breath heaving, the night air thick with panic. Then I stopped, hid in a corner and grabbed a plank. “Aaaaahhhhhhh,” I screamed. Then— Crack! I struck someone in the head. A man. He fell down dead. I shivered from the coldness of the rain hitting against my skin as I shook him with my heels. He was unresponsive. Then darkness clouded me. Inside a plane, I was screaming and shaking, falling from the sky. I screamed as the metal cracked apart around me. There was another flash. A kiss. Warm lips. Familiar, painfully familiar. His name clawed its way out of my throat. “Damien...” I mumbled, twisted in sweat-soaked sheets. “Damien... Damien!” My eyes flew open, wide and filled with tears. I jolted upright, gasping. I turned slowly and beside me, a little boy—no more than one, stirred softly under the blankets, his small hand still curled around my wrist. I blinked down at him, chest aching with a thousand unspoken things. A sob caught in my throat, and I quickly pressed my palm against my lips to quiet it. I didn't want to wake him. I didn’t want to explain the tears. Because how could I tell him the truth? That his mother’s heart had been broken before he was even born? --- Two Years Earlier London – February 2022 I signed the last document on my desk with a flourish of my Montblanc pen. The gold-tipped nib slid across the paper as effortlessly as silk. The marble office around me was quiet—high-rise windows drenched in sunlight, shelves lined with books, and a tall orchid blooming gracefully in the corner. Another deal sealed. Another empire expanded. This was my world. LushLux Enterprises didn’t just have my name on the legal documents—it had my blood in its foundation. I didn’t build this company only with my mind, but with my heart. Every late night, every challenge, every ruthless competitor—I faced them with the poise expected of a Smith. And won. “Knock-knock,” came a soft, motherly voice from the door. I didn’t need to look up. “Matilda,” I said, smiling. “I was wondering when you'd interrupt my paper trail.” She stepped in, a warm presence wrapped in a beige wool cardigan, her greying hair pulled into a soft bun. Her eyes, always kind, always knowing, sparkled as she approached. “Good morning, Adrianna,” she greeted. I pursed my lips, looking up at her smiling face. “Good morning, Mama Matilda.“ I placed my palm under my chin, smiling at her with my long wavy blonde hair pulled in a rough pony tail. I wrapped a strand round my index finger, rubbing my other index on my green left eye. “I came to drag you away from this prison you call an office,” she teased gently, placing a hand on her hip. “Breakfast, young lady. Breakfast. You won't miss today's own.” “But I’m not a child anymore,” I said, but the warmth in my voice betrayed me. “You'll always be a child to me. After watching you grow and do all sorts? You're forever my baby.” I chuckled lightly as I stood and walked around the desk, smoothing my emerald silk blouse and brushing nonexistent dust off my pencil skirt. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go ruin my diet with pancakes and fresh strawberries.” --- At the Dining Room. The moment I stepped into the golden-lit dining hall, laughter greeted me. My parents sat at the far end of the polished mahogany table, leaning into each other like teenagers. My mother giggled as my father whispered something in her ear, and I paused at the threshold, heart warming at the sight. “You two need to stop,” I called out, grinning. “You’re giving romance a bad name. At your age?” My father chuckled. “Don’t be jealous, sweetheart. Hopefully, you’ll be just as in love someday.” “Duh,” I rolled my eyes as I took my seat, Matilda pouring me a glass of orange juice. “Thank you,” I whispered. Turning to face my parents, I placed my hand on the table while the other held the glass cup filled with orange juice as I twirled it. “If that ever happens, pigs will fly,” I muttered, taking a sip. “Never say never,” my mother said with a wink. Cutleries clincked against plates as we sat quietly eating. Moments later, a loud crash outside shattered the peaceful bubble. We all froze. Our heads turning to the direction of the sound of the crash. “What in the world was that?” my father said, rising. Matilda rushed out, her slippers padding quickly across the marble floor. I followed behind with my parents as the rest of the household staff peeked through the grand windows. Outside, right in the middle of my mother's rose garden, a black Porsche sat sideways—hood crushed into the stone fountain. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” my mother muttered, a hand on her hip while the other rubbed her temple. “He did it again.” “Lucas!” my father barked. The car door opened, and out stumbled my younger brother, tousled and grinning like a man who just conquered Mount Everest. “Missed me?” he beamed, spreading his arms. I couldn't help it—I laughed. “You maniac.” Lucas jogged toward us and wrapped my father in a hug before kissing my mother on the cheek. “Love you, mum. You too, grumpy old man.” Then he turned to me and enveloped me in a tight hug. “Annnaaa,” he drawled, using my old nickname. “I should slap you,” I said, laughing against his shoulder. He turned to Matilda, holding out his hand. “Matilda, darling. I came home to finally marry you.” My parents rolled their eyes. My father sighed heavily as he whispered to my mother. “Your son is a menace.“ She chuckled lightly, holding his hand. Matilda rolled her eyes. “In your dreams, Romeo.” He laughed it off, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as we all filed back inside, laughter replacing the shock of the crash. --- At the table, Lucas shoveled pancakes into his mouth like a starving man. “Take it easy man,” I said, staring at him. “I can't. Gotta tell you guys something.“ I dropped my glass of juice as I leaned in. “I met someone,” he said, mouth half full. “Ooohhh,” my mother cooed. “At uni. She’s beautiful. I mean, next level. Her eyes are like... thunder.” “Thunder?” I asked, raising a brow. “Yes! Her voice? Hmm. Like clouds—soft and mysterious. Her skin—moonlight. Her hair—raven ink! Perfect darling.” We all laughed as he went on and on until my father finally raised a hand. “Alright, Shakespeare. Enough. We'll see what the result is very soon.” As the laughter calmed, my father turned to me. “There’s something I want to discuss with you, Adrianna.” My smile faded slightly. I reached for my napkin, folding it slowly. “It’s about your future. And the company’s.” I knew that tone. It was the “I’ve made a decision for you” tone. “You’ve met Victor King before. An old family friend. His son, Damien, runs King Apex Company now. They’re proposing a merger through marriage.” The room went quiet. Lucas’s fork froze halfway to his mouth as he peeked at me. I stared at my father, my throat dry. “I see,” I said finally, calm masking the hurricane inside me. “I know it sounds sudden,” he continued, “but it would solidify both companies. Secure your future and his too.” My mother gave me a tight-lipped smile, like it pained her but she agreed. “Didn't you mention something about finding or falling in love? Now I have to be handed over to some man and my life…” I stopped myself from saying the wrong words that could hurt my parents. I breathed deeply, moving my chair out and rised. “I'll take my leave now.“ “Anna…” my mother called but I didn't respond. I walked out of the house without looking back. My father, he sat there looking down at his food as my mother whispered to him. Outside of the house, I only nodded slowly,taking a deep breath as my mind was already building walls around my heart.