His Homeless contract bride

An offer worth million

Amelia's POV

I had been offered many things before. Pity. Old clothes. Leftover food. Sometimes people smiled at me because they felt sorry for me. Sometimes they looked at me like I didn't exist.

But never…

A marriage contract worth millions.

I didn't know my life was about to change.

The shelter was unusually quiet that morning. Grace stood beside me, folding blankets while I swept the hallway.

"You've been smiling since yesterday," she said.

I looked up.

"Have I?"

She laughed.

"You have."

"I guess I'm just grateful."

"For what?"

I shrugged.

"We had dinner. The roof didn't leak. No one got sick."

Grace shook her head with a smile.

"You really know how to celebrate the smallest things."

"The small things are all I have."

Before Grace could answer, the shelter manager hurried inside.

"Amelia."

I turned.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Someone is here to see you."

I frowned.

"Me?"

She nodded.

"They insisted."

Grace exchanged a quick glance with me.

"Do you know who it is?"

The manager shook her head.

"They're waiting in my office."

My stomach tightened.

"I'll be back."

Grace touched my arm.

"I'll come with you."

We walked down the hallway together.

As soon as the office door opened, I froze.

The old man from the rain.

He slowly stood when he saw me.

"I was hoping you'd remember me."

I blinked.

"You... you're feeling better."

He smiled.

"Thanks to you."

I looked around the room. Two men in black suits stood outside the door. Another waited beside the window.

"What are you doing here?"

Arthur gestured toward the empty chair.

"May we talk?"

I hesitated.

Grace gave me a small nod.

"It's okay."

Slowly, I sat down.

Arthur studied me for a moment before speaking.

"I owe you my life."

"You don't owe me anything."

"I've already told you that."

"You helped someone who needed help."

I smiled politely.

"Anyone would have done the same."

Arthur chuckled.

"No."

"They wouldn't."

Silence settled between us.

Finally, he reached into a leather folder and placed a document on the desk.

"I have a proposal."

I looked at the papers but didn't touch them.

"What kind of proposal?"

"A marriage contract."

I stared at him.

"I'm sorry... what?"

Grace's eyes widened.

Arthur remained calm.

"I want you to marry my grandson."

I almost laughed.

Then I realized he wasn't joking.

"You've mistaken me for someone else."

"I haven't."

"I'm homeless."

"I know."

"I don't even know your grandson."

"I know."

I pushed the papers back toward him.

"Then my answer is no."

Arthur didn't argue.

"May I ask why?"

I folded my arms.

"Because I don't want charity."

"This isn't charity."

"It feels like it."

"I don't belong in your world."

Arthur looked at me quietly.

"My grandson needs a wife."

"You need protection."

"It benefits both of you."

I shook my head.

"There are thousands of women who'd gladly marry a billionaire."

"There are."

"So why me?"

Arthur didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked at Grace.

Grace lowered her eyes.

Something about that exchange made my chest tighten.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Neither of them spoke.

I stood.

"I think it's time for me to go."

Arthur's voice stopped me.

"Richard Hart has started looking for you."

My steps froze.

I turned slowly.

"I... don't know anyone called Richard Hart."

Arthur looked at Grace.

Grace swallowed hard.

"It's true."

I frowned.

"What do you mean, it's true?"

She looked guilty.

"I didn't want to tell you like this."

"Tell me what?"

Grace walked closer.

"For months..."

"I've noticed strangers around the shelter."

"They ask about a young woman."

"They always carry the same photograph."

My heartbeat quickened.

"What photograph?"

Grace looked at Arthur before answering.

"Yours."

The room suddenly felt smaller.

"Why would anyone be looking for me?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

Tears filled Grace's eyes.

"I'm trying to protect you."

I stared at her.

"You've known something all this time?"

She nodded slowly.

"I was waiting until I had proof."

Arthur reached into his briefcase again.

This time…

He removed a folded newspaper.

Without saying a word, he slid it across the desk.

"Read it."

My hands trembled as I picked

it up.

The headline filled almost half the page.

BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HART ANNOUNCES REWARD FOR MISSING NIECE

My breath caught.

"Niece...?"

I looked at Arthur.

Then at Grace.

Then back at the newspaper.

"I..."

My voice barely came out.

"I don't even remember having an uncle.”