THE DOMINEERING CEO: The child of deception

CHAPTER 1 The hospital room was too quiet. Only the beep of my mom’s machine broke the silence. “Miss Carter, 15 million naira. By 8am tomorrow. Or we discharge her.” The nurse’s voice was flat. Like she said this every day. I clutched the debt paper in my hand. My hands were shaking. 15 million. I had 80k. The door opened without a knock. “Still begging them?” I turned. Damien Cole. Th Domineering CEO. My father’s boss. The man who ruined us. He was in a silk robe, hair wet from the shower. Like he owned the night itself. His eyes scanned me, cold and assessing. “I’m not begging,” I said, lifting my chin. “I’m finding a way.” He laughed once. Low. “You? With what? Your waitress salary?” “Don’t you dare—” I snapped “Stop.” He stepped closer. The smell of his cologne filled the room. “My lawyer is downstairs. He has a contract.” My stomach dropped. “What kind of contract?” Damien pulled a folder from his pocket and dropped it on my mom’s bed. “Marriage. To me. 1 year.” He said it like he was ordering coffee. "Does he really think...." “I pay her bill. All 15 million. Plus 5 million in your account. After 1 year, we divorce. Clean.” I paused, clenching my fist "this is my only chance.." I stared at him cause I had no other choice “You’re insane.” “Am I?” He leaned in. His voice dropped. “Your mom dies tomorrow. Or you sign. Those words hit me hard . I can't let my only family -mom die Those are your options, Miss Carter.” “It’s because of you we’re debt!” I screamed The words flew out before I could stop them. “You fired my dad and blacklisted him!” His jaw ticked. For a second, something flashed in his eyes. Regret? No. Couldn’t be. I looked at my mom. Pale. Tubes everywhere. Then back at the contract. Marriage to the coldest man in the city. The CEO who hadn’t been seen with a woman in 3 years. Abstained. Domineering. Dangerous. This isn’t about the past,” he said “This is about now. Sign, and she lives. Don’t, and...” He didn’t finish. He took my hand and put the pen in it. His were warm. Mine were ice. “Sign, Lila,” he murmured. “Save her.” The pen hovered over the paper. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. I signed. “My terms,” I whispered. “Separate rooms." " No touching.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Deal.” “Good girl,” he said softly. Then louder: “The wedding is in 6 hours.” 6 hours? “What? No—” “Money hits your account in 10 minutes. Hospital gets paid by morning.” He turned to leave, then stopped at the door. “Oh, and Lila?” “What?” “From tonight, you sleep in my house. In my bed.” My blood went cold. “You said separate rooms!” He looked back at me over his shoulder. That cold smile again. “I changed my mind.” My phone buzz.... ₦5,000,000 received from COLE GROUP LTD. And another buzz. Alert: Payment of ₦15,000,000 to ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL confirmed. He did it He actually did it I knelt down beside my mom's bed "Don't worry , you will be fine" amidst sobs.... (In the car on their way to get the marriage certificate).... The car ride was silent. I sat in the back of Damien’s Bentley. Black windows. Black leather. It smelled like him. A driver in a suit. Two bodyguards in front. Like I was a prisoner, not a bride. My mom was safe. Because of him. “Stop staring,” Damien said without looking at me. I jerked my eyes away from his profile. “I wasn’t.” “Liar.” He finally turned. Still in that silk robe, but now with a black shirt underneath. Sleeves rolled up. A watch that cost more than my dad made in 5 years. “You have 6 hours until you’re Mrs. Cole. Get used to me.” “We had a deal,” I said. “Separate rooms.” “And I changed it.” He shrugged. “Don’t like it? " Give the 5 million back.” My jaw clenched. “You’re a monster.” “Maybe.” His eyes dragged over my hospital-staff clothes. Jeans. T-shirt. No makeup. “But I’m your monster now" . We stop at the boutique first.... Then the courthouse..... Then my house... (The courthouse, At midnight) “Money buys a judge at any hour, Lila.” He said my name like he was testing it. “Try to keep up.” ........3 Hours Later The boutique was closed. Until Damien walked in. Lights came on. Three stylists appeared. Dresses everywhere. White. Ivory. Millions. “Sit,” he ordered. “I can pick my own—” “You have 20 minutes.” He sat on a velvet chair, scrolling his phone. “I don’t do bridezillas.” A woman pulled a gown off the rack. Strapless. Silk. It probably cost 2 million. “Try this, Mrs. Cole.” Mrs. Cole.? The words made me sick. In the dressing room I stared at myself in the mirror. Hair down. Makeup done. The dress hugged me in places I didn’t know I had. I looked like someone I wasn’t. The curtain opened. Damien was standing there. “You’re supposed to knock,” I snapped. He didn’t answer. His eyes went from my face, down the dress, back to my face. For one second, his mask slipped. Something hot. Something possessive. Then it was gone. “It’ll do,” he said flatly. “Change. We’re late.” 30 Minutes to Midnight The courthouse was empty. Except for a judge, a lawyer, and 2 witnesses who looked paid. “Do you, Lila Carter, take Damien Cole—” “Yes,” I said before the judge finished. My voice shook. “Do you, Damien Cole—” “I do.” His voice was steel. No hesitation. The stamp came down. The paper was signed. The lawyer handed Damien our marriage certificate. He tucked it into his jacket. Like it was a business contract. Because to him, it was. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Cole,” the judge said. No kiss. No ring. No “you may kiss the bride.” Damien held out his arm. “Let’s go home, wife.” The word wife hit me like a slap. 12:15am. Cole Mansion. The house was huge. All glass and marble. Like a hotel no one lived in. Two maids bowed. “Welcome, Madam.” Damien led me up a floating staircase. Down a long hall. Stopped at a door. Pushed it open. A bedroom. King size bed. White sheets. His cologne already in the air. “This is your room,” he said. I exhaled. “Thank you. For keeping the deal.” He stepped inside and closed the door behind us.......... My heart stopped. “What?” He walked to the bed and sat on the edge. Patted the spot next to him. “Separate rooms was for before the wedding, Lila. Now you’re my wife. In public, in private, and in this bed.” I backed up. “You lied.” “I negotiated.” His eyes were dark. “You signed. 5 million is already spent on your mom’s treatment. So here’s your new rule.” He stood. Came closer. 1 step. 2 steps..... Until I could feel his heat. My breath caught. “Damien, please.... TO BE CONTINUED .....