The Blind CEO's Contract Wife

Carinas pov I was standing at the sink wringing out a cloth. The dirty water swirl down the drain. My fingers were really cold and sore from being in the water for long. The floor in front of me looked clean. I knew it was not. I pressed the cloth harder. Scrubbed some more trying to ignore the pain in my arm. It was six in the morning. The house was very quiet. You know, that kind of thing makes you feel like you are holding your breath without even realizing it. I scrubbed the floor more. The kitchen had to be perfect before Vivian woke up. I learned that a while ago. If I made one mistake she would yell at me all day. My name is Carina Voss. I used to have a room in this house but that was a long time ago. Now I have a room at the back with a window that does not close properly. My dad, Arthur Voss, was a drunkard. He spent all my moms money after she died. Then he married Vivian. She is my stepmom. I have a stepsister named Petra. My dad died without leaving me anything. He left everything to Vivian and Petra. Now all I have is a mop and a list of chores to do every day. My days start before the sun comes up. Vivian moved in a time ago and five years later my dad died from drinking too much. He did not leave a will or any instructions. He barely left any memories. The house belongs to Vivian now. I used to wonder why she kept me. Then I realized it was because I am useful to her. I heard Vivians heels clicking on the stairs and my shoulders got tight. I knew it was her so I did not turn around. Vivian came into the kitchen. Looked around at the countertop, the stove and the floor I had been cleaning for forty minutes. "You missed a spot, " she said. I looked down. The tiles were shining like glass. They were perfectly clean. I looked back at Vivian. She was smiling, but it was not a real smile. "Yes ma'am " I said and I started scrubbing the spot even though it was already clean. That is how things work around here. Vivian picked up the coffee I had made for her and started drinking it without looking at me. "Clean the bathroom upstairs and the rugs in the sitting room, " she said. ". Do it outside, not in the hallway." "Yes, ma'am, " I replied. Vivians heels clicked away. She left the kitchen. I sat down on my floor. Stared at the floor breathing slowly. There is something I have not told anyone, not my friend Jane. Three weeks ago I found my moms diary hidden in a winter coat in my closet. The coat still smelled like my mom, like lavender and something warm. I read the diary and near the end I found something that changed everything. My mom wrote that I should find her painting and that it would give me a life. Jane found out some information about the painting four days My phone. I answered it with my shoulder since my hands were still in the soapy water. "Jane, please tell me if you have some news, " I said. "Carina, " Jane replied slowly. "Did you find the painting?" I asked, my voice tight. "Yes, it's in Damien Ashfords collection, " Jane said. I felt like all the air had been sucked out of me. "Damien Ashford, " I asked. "Why does he have my moms painting?" Jane's voice was careful. "Getting it back will not be easy, " she said. "I do not care, " I said. Jane told me that Damien Ashford is a person and it is hard to get close to him.. I do not care. I want my moms painting I looked out the window. The morning light looked nice and free. "My mom told me to find that painting , " I whispered. "It belongs to me. I have been. Cooking and doing all these chores for years just so I can get a chance to find it. I will not give up now." Jane told me to be careful. I said I would. Then I hung up the phone. The kettle started whistling. I moved quickly to turn it off.. I bumped into someone and the kettle tipped over spilling boiling water on my hand. I cried out in pain. Dropped to my knees holding my hand. I bit my lip to stop myself from crying because crying does not solve anything. I learned that a while ago. Then I heard Petras voice. She was arguing with Vivian about something. "I will not marry Damien Ashford!" Petra said. I froze. Vivian was sitting on the sofa looking calm as always. Petra was standing in front of her looking angry and scared. "He's blind nobody sees him!" Petra said. Vivians voice was calm. "He's rich and that's all that matters " she said. Petra started talking about someone named Ronan, who's Damiens cousin.. Vivian cut her off okay anyways "The contract did not say which daughter had to marry him, " Vivian said, looking at me. "Carina is Arthur's daughter. She is a Voss, just like Petra." Petra smiled. It was not a nice smile. I thought about Damien Ashford and my moms painting. If I married him I could get close to him. Maybe find the painting. I walked into the room trying to look like I did not know what was going on. "Why do I have to marry someone I do not know?" I asked, trying to sound calm. Vivian came over to me. Grabbed my chin lifting my face up. "You do not get to want anything in this house, " she said. "You will marry Damien Ashford or you will suffer” My hand was still hurting. I was thinking clearly. If I left I would never find my moms painting. If I stayed I would still be a maid. I looked down trying to make them think I had given up. "I understand, " I said quietly. Vivian let me go. Petra started laughing. I walked back to the hallway, my jaw set and my eyes hard. They thought they had won. They were wrong. Damien Ashford I am coming for w hat belongs to me. This marriage is the beginning