THE BILLIONAIRE PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 2: HEARTBREAK AND DECEPTION

It has been three months since the tragic incident that traumatized Charlotte. She was still devastated by the shock of her accident. The memories she thought she had long buried came flooding

like a tidal wave crashing on the shore.

Charlotte longed for her late mother's presence. She wished she had confided in her and told her everything she was going through in her stepfather's hand before her death.

Her beliefs about love had been broken, leaving her in misery and an empty, world.

Malcom entered the room with a cup of water, and Charlotte managed a fake smile. Malcom had been taking care of her since the incident. Charlotte, on the other hand, knew he had other sinister plans and intentions but couldn't just think straight about his sudden change.

Her stepfather's leering face, the feeling of his hand on her skin, and the shame and pain that followed her like a shadow. It all came rushing back.

She had thought she would escape it all once she got married to Alex, but the pain and fear still lingered, like an open wound. But now she realizes that Alex was just like her stepfather, using her for his own gain.

The betrayal stung like a fresh wound. She felt like she was living in a nightmare,

with no escape from the regrets and guilt that haunted her. The tears rolling down her eyes as she gulped the cup of water...It had

been a long ,since her stepfather molested her, and she felt a kind of relief.

"You know everything happens for a reason—that Alex is just a good-for-nothing guy.

You have to put yourself together and stay strong. You have to look for someone better and open up to heal your broken heart, Malcom shared.

Charlotte lost herself in her thoughts, not listening to everything he was saying and nodding in agreement.

Malcom introduced her to a guy named Frank. He was kind, friendly, and caring.. He spent time conversing with her and taking her to different locations, gradually gaining her affection and helping Charlotte forget about her problems and find the sense of security she had been seeking. Little did she know that it was just a period of time.

After a few months, Frank proposed to her. Charlotte felt uncertain for a while, but in order to let go of her past, she concluded by opening her heart fully to him.

Malcom helped with the wedding preparations. In the dressing room, Charlotte looked at herself in the mirror. She looked exquisite and gorgeous in her wedding dress. The make-up artist has done a great job, making her look stunning. Tension churns in her stomach, as she doesn't know what awaits her.

As she looked through the room, she wondered why her stepfather was taking so long. As she made her way to his room to check him up, she overheard Malcom's voice.

Make sure Charlotte did not learn about her mother's inheritance through the lawyer, Malcom said. Her face scrunched up in bewilderment.

She took a peek through the keyhole and saw Malcom talking to Frank, her husband-to-be. You are doing a great job of winning her heart at last. I can't wait for her to sign all the properties in your name, and I will finally be in control of them.. Malcom chortled with sinister intent. "And what about Charlotte?" Charlotte?" Frank asked. "She will have to obey and listen to my instructions." Malcom retorted brusquely.

Charlotte drew back in astonishment and snapped out of it. How could she have been so dumb? To believe in Malcom's changes in behavior and kindness towards her, how come she didn't know anything about her mother's properties? I must be so foolish and daft."Charlotte exhaled heavily as she thought of what to do; she had to leave immediately. She dashed to her room, took her pulse and phone, and started running outside with her wedding dress.

Malcom went to Charlotte's room to check on her, only to see the room empty. Then he asked the make-up artist about her whereabouts, and she told him that Charlotte was going to look for you. Did she eavesdrop on everything we discussed? Malcom's eyes dilated, and he turned to face Frank.

"Find her; any mistake, we are both done for, he said through his clenched teeth. Frank nodded and brought out his phone to call his men. Malcom froze in place, and his fists tightened.

***********

As Charlotte ran as fast as her legs could carry her, she couldn't think of a place to go and had to escape from her stepfather's clutches.

That's when she remembered the business card she was given at the hospital. She had dismissed his offer of help earlier, but now it seemed like her only hope.

With a new-found sense of determination, she reached out for her phone and pulled out the card from the back of her pouch. Her hands trembled as she dialed the number, hoping that he would pick up his calls. The phone rang twice before he picked it up. It was a cold voice that picked up the call. Charlotte narrated the incident and her compensation. If they could meet now and discuss it, Logan told her he was busy with some issues and would hang up the call. Charlotte dialed the number again, and he picked it up angrily.

Charlotte pleaded for his help to come to her rescue; he told her to send her location to him and that his secretary would come and pick her up.

*******

Logan is pissed off with the decision his father made without asking him if he was fine with it. He told him to get married to his business partner and one of the largest share holder in his company Evelyn, to be on the safer sides with the share holders. Logan, on the other hand, is not ready for a family of his own talkless marriage.

He was thinking of the best way to turn down the marriage, so he called his secretary, Caroline, and sent a location to her. He told her to go and get Charlotte from the location he sent.