The Billionaire's Contract Bride

Elena felt like she was collapsing, the medical bills on her hand shot. Where would she get 250,000 from? A number that didn’t sum up to her total salary in a year . She had exhausted every option, and she couldn't secure a loan at a lower cause they would demand collateral. "We are running out of time," the doctor's words rang in her head. The only way she could save her mother was this! She thought bitterly as the marriage contract she had received from Lawrence Kingston, her boss and CEO of Kingston Enterprises, was sent over. She swallowed hard, reading through the chilling terms: No love No emotional attachment No pregnancy "And I could have s*x with you anytime." This was ridiculous. How would she not get pregnant wasn’t she human This Lawrence Kingston was strong and resilience. She had worked with him for three years, enduring his cold commands, jaded response, and stoned face. And now, he wanted to marry her? She read lower, "If you refuse, consider your employment terminated." A sharp laughter escaped her lips. This wasn't funny, but it sounded funny. If she lost this job, she would never be able to raise her mom's medical bills. Tears stung her eyes. Damn him! The thought of being tied to him nauseated her. Why would one be so disgusting? Her hands trembled as she grabbed her coat. She arrived at Kingston Empire and entered the elevator. When she arrived at the last floor, .Here it is It was her time to step out. The security guards barely spared her a glance as she strode to the private elevator. Everyone knew her as Lawrence Kingston’s secretary—the one who spent ridiculous hours working without complaints. As she slid the door open, her stomach twisted. The office was massive and was elegantly designed to taste. The building coexisted in the San Francisco skyline. "You are late," she heard his cold voice pierce. "You can be serious" she saw him say, placing the contract on the table. "What part don’t you understand?" She swallowed hard. "Why me?" "You are efficient, intelligent, and smart "Read the contract." She could imagine his pursed lips. "You don’t own me!" she blurted out. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "U dont own me " "Not yet," he smirked. "I don’t understand—why me, of all women? Why do you choose me?" "I need a wife to secure my inheritance, and you need money. It’s a win-win case." "I won’t sleep with you!" she blurted out. "You will, when I want you to," he said with full confidence. "And if I refuse? What will you do?" "Then I’ll fire you—easy." Lawrence smirked. "If you accept, I’ll take care of all your mom’s medical bills." She breathed heavily. She had no choice. Slowly, she snapped forward and signed the paper. "This is it—a deal with the devil." She hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts. "Tic-tock, Elena. You don’t have all day." She lifted the pen again and signed the papers. This was it. Lawrence reached for it, a curl of lips. She shut her eyes at the finality. "Good girl." Elena felt so incomplete with his condescending praise. She just signed away her freedom. And Lawrence just smiled like a cat that got the cream. --- The ink had barely dried when Lawrence stood up, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating. "You should pack your things. You’re moving in with me tonight." Her head snapped up. "Tonight?" "Did I stutter?" He arched a brow, his voice indifferent as if discussing the weather. Elena gritted her teeth. She wanted to argue, to tell him that this wasn’t part of the deal, but she knew better. It was his world—she was just a pawn in it now. "I have to get some things from my apartment," she muttered. "Send someone. You’re coming with me now." She clenched her fists, feeling the walls closing in around her. He strode toward the glass window, looking down at the city below as if he owned every inch of it. And maybe he did. "You’re dismissed for now. I’ll have my driver take you to the penthouse. Be ready." Elena didn’t respond. What was there to say? As she walked out of the office, her heart pounded in her chest. This was her new life. Her new cage. --- She barely remembered how she got home, but the reality hit as she stared at the suitcase on her bed. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, to escape this fate, but where would she go? Her mother was in the hospital, barely holding on. Without this deal, she’d lose her. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, forcing herself to be strong. A sharp knock on the door made her flinch. She knew who it was before even opening it. A tall man dressed in a crisp black suit stood there, his expression unreadable. "Miss Elena, Mr. Kingston is waiting." Swallowing hard, she nodded and grabbed her suitcase, stepping out into the unknown. As the car pulled away, she cast one last glance at her apartment, knowing she might never return The drive to the penthouse was silent. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows, but Elena barely noticed. Her mind was spinning, replaying every moment of the day. She had signed a contract that bound her to a man she barely understood, a man who viewed love as a business transaction. "You’re quiet," Lawrence’s voice suddenly cut through the silence. "What do you expect me to say?" she muttered. He smirked. "Most women would be thrilled to marry me." She scoffed, looking away . "Then maybe you should’ve picked one of them instead." He chuckled lowly, but there was no warmth in it. "They wouldn’t last a day." The car slowed as they reached his towering penthouse. Her new life had just begun.