THE BILLIONAIRE CRIPPLED WIFE

chapter 17&18

🌹THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRIPPLED 🌹

🥀WIFE🥀

{Love In Contract…}

Chapter 17💎18

The post came late because of network, not my fault. It's been ready since past 5, but I had zero network to even do homework all through yesterday. It seems d network only get better by midnight...

🥀GERALD’S NEW MAID🥀

Ophelia's eyes widened at Richard's statement and like he didn’t just say something crazy, he broke the hug and took her hand.

“Let’s return to the room”. He said and Ophelia slowly removed her hand from his.

“I want to sleep here”. She muttered avoiding his gaze.

But Richard played deaf as he got up and lifted her into his arms.

“It's not for you to decide, remember?”. He muttered as he took her out of the room, and Ophelia watched how his expression turned cold again.

The moment they got into their room, he shut the door straight and went ahead to place her on the bed.

He then handed her back her phone, but she refused taking it and he forced it into her hand.

“I don't want it. I don't want anything from you, you can't force me to keep what I don't want to keep”. Ophelia muttered as she threw the phone to the floor again and Richard frowned at her.

“Why are you suddenly being stubborn again?”. He asked and Ophelia threw him a glare.

“You dare ask me that? After all the crap you just sprouted minutes back?!!”. Ophelia sneered loudly and Richard stunned her by breaking into a mocking laughter that only creeper her out.

Then suddenly he brought his face closer and she shifted back on the bed.

“What are you going to do? Was I lying?! You planned on using the fact that I was ready to change to hunt me isn't it?! Just because you can't forget the past doesn't mean you're in any position to make me suffer!!”. Ophelia screamed and Richard instantly grabbed her neck tight in anger causing her to choke in his grip.

“Forget? And I have no right to make you suffer? Wow! If being unrepentant was a person!! How easy it was for you to say those words to my face, Helia!!”. Richard shouted loudly his dark gaze piercing into hers as he tightened his grip on her neck and her face color begun changing real quick.

“Let…go of me…leave me alone!!”. Ophelia stuttered as she struggled in his strong hold.

But she instantly began coughing and Richard saw it as a good chance to strangle her more, as his grip tightened more causing tears to begin in falling from Ophelia's eyes while his scary eyes glared at her.

“You don't know, How I wanted so much to kill you myself…but this stupid feeling inside keeps pulling me back. And now you just ignited that murderous intent of mine towards you Helia”. Richard seethed darkly and Ophelia would have flinched frightfully if he wasn’t be held tight by him, but instead she let out another round of cough.

“Since you're not ready to accept the little I asked of you, why not just submit to death right now!”. Richard sneered loudly his gaze still deadly as he tightened his grip more on her neck that her eyes slowly began buldging from their sockets.

She was at the brink of fainting when a knock came on the door.

“The chairman wants to see you in his study Third Sir”. Irene's fainted voice came from outside.

And Richard in anger balled his other fist, before reluctantly letting go of Ophelia who began coughing very ferociously, her face was now completely red with a sign of purple amongst her foreheads veins.

Richard glared at Ophelia one last time before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind him, as she broke into tears that minute, while staring at the door he walked out through.

“How did he become like this? He almost killed me without even batting an eyelid”. Ophelia muttered as she cried more.

The Chairman was on his comfy arm chair reading from a business journal when the duo walked in and he adjusted his reading glasses to give them puzzled look and Richard instantly turned to Irene behind him with a glare.

“You said he was calling me”. Richard said and Irene shifted back frightfully before running to stand behind the chairman who was still confused.

“Chairman you sent for the third Sir remember?”. Irene called giving the chairman secret eye signals and he turned to Richard with a nod.

“Yes I sent for you take your seat”. The chairman said and Irene let out a sigh of relief.

‘I should do something about this nosy maid’. Richard thought glaring at Irene before walking to sit opposite the Chairman.

“So how's everything at the company doing?”. The chairman asked and Richard gave him a raised eyebrow.

“I thought my secretary already briefed you on all of that? Are you intentionally trying to keep me here?”. Richard asked and the Chairman sighed going back to read his business magazine.

“I hate getting involved in other people's private issues”. The chairman said as he ignorantly adjusted his reading glasses to continue reading.

Richard then stood up and begun leaving which made Irene's eyes to widen as she touched the chairman's arm for him to do something and he sighed deeply before speaking.

“So you're slowly turning into an abuser right?”. The chairman said his gaze still in his magazine and Richard who was almost at the door stopped on his track as he turned to face the chairman, then at Irene.

“Is that what your little maid told you? You do realize pampering and making her feel like she's one of us doesn't make your dead daughter resurrect from her grave do you?”. Richard asked and Irene shifted away from the chairman with her head bowed as she felt, she was the reason why he was getting disrespected.

And the chairman gaze moved from his magazine to Richard.

“At least I'm trying to make atonement for past I missed, unlike someone whose ruining the chances he's always dreamt of having”. The chairman said and both Richard and him exchanged fierce glances.

Till the chairman pulled away as he returned his gaze back to his magazine.

“Less I forget…Even if you both would divorce tonight or tomorrow. Her shares still belong to her, yours might not though…because I told you you would have those shares once you get married not once you ruin the life of someone's daughter”. The chairman said and instantly he went back to playing deaf while reading and Richard gave him a stern gaze one last time before walking out of the study.

And Irene instantly bent before the chairman taking his hand.

“I caused a lot of chaos didn't I?”. She asked and the chairman dropped his magazine to glance at her.

“Thank goodness you know”. He replied and Irene blinked sadly.

“I didn't mean to put you in a tough spot, I was walking past and heard him choking the new lady, he swore he would kill her—

Irene wasn't done speaking when the chairman broke into a short chuckle and she blinked puzzly.

“Kill her? He can't live without her. Just leave them to solve their issues don't get involved again”. The chairman muttered and Irene slowly nodded.

Then suddenly she ran to his back to massage his shoulder.

“Since I caused a lot of troubles why don't you send me away. I promise I won't complain! Send me away before tomorrow morning please!”. Irene said pleadingly and the chairman only ignored her as he continued reading.

“I might die tomorrow!!”. Irene shouted out in frustration and the chairman gaze at her.

“Don't come out of your room before Twelve when he gets high till midnight”. The chairman said and Irene's eyes widened.

“But I'm a maid. I have no right to escape chores I get paid for! And what if he comes find me–

“I don't get involved in people's personal issues. Leave Irene you've given me enough headache today”. The chairman waved her off and she frowned.

“I can't believe you'll just ditch me like that! If I die, who'll make tea for you?!”. Irene shouted as she walked to the door.

“I had tea before you came to this mansion okay?! And stop reacting like I was the one who sent you to go steal! Go dance the tune of your music and stop pestering me, you troublemaker!!”. The chairman said waving her off more and Irene frowned before storming out of the study.

Richard returned back to the room only to find Ophelia sleeping with her back turned on him and he frowned staring at her sleeping figure as he shut the door locked.

“She can sleep through anything”. He hissed before walking into the bathroom and soon running water from the shower could be heard.

Ophelia who faked sleeping had her eyes flipped open.

She was on a black night gown with thin straps.

Soon Richard was done showering as he walked out of the bathroom with his night robe on and Ophelia's eyes closed again.

He picked up her phone that was still on the floor and dropped it on the table, it was beyond crushed so it wasn't working anymore.

He then laid on the bed right next to her with his gaze staring up at the ceiling.

“It’s good you can't sleep, I can't also. And that's a little fair isn't it?”. Richard's stern voice came from behind Ophelia and she shifted further away from him on the bed.

“You're so bitter”. She mumbled as she shifted again without realising there was no space before her again and instantly she began falling down, a fall that could have been avoided if she could use her legs.

She was at the brink of hitting the floor real hard, when a strong arm wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her back up unto the bed.

And subconsciously she rolled even more closer to him, and now they laid facing each other with their noses just few breath away and Ophelia's eyes widened as it met his.

She made to turn away from him, but his hand on her waist stopped her and she didn't bother struggling since she had no legs to support her forced movement, so she only laid avoiding the gaze of Richard's whose gaze were fixed on her.

Then slowly his hand hand on her waist began moving up, causing her gaze to move there as she watched him slowly while touching her, take his fingers up to her b**bs.

He almost touched one of them when he hit his hands off and he frowned but continued moving till he got to her bruised neck, a very red big bruise caused by him.

And the moment his fingers touched it just slightly, Ophelia flinched in pain as she pushed his fingers away from her neck, but Richard only returned it back to her waist.

“My words still stand. They'll be no peaceful day for you in this marriage, but to avoid getting strangled or killed by me, never talk back at me, at least for your own good”. He muttered sternly before shutting his eyes close.

And Ophelia after staring around troubly, slowly closed her eyes to sleep also, even though it was very hard to.

The moment she finally found forced sleep and had finally slept off, Richard's sharp brown gaze flipped open and all through the night he did nothing but stare at her beautiful sleeping face.

Ophelia because of how tiny the hand of her nightdress was had shivered at some point into the night, and Richard in response to her continuous shivering adjusted the duvet on her and pulled her closer into him to keep warm.

Now with his both arms wrapped around her, her head lightly rested on his firm as she slept cozily like a child, and Richard only rested his head on her smooth silky hair.

NEXT MORNING>

The entire family sat at the dining having breakfast as Irene and the other servants did the serving.

Richard had left early for work, Gerald was still asleep, leaving Ophelia, Pascal, Gaston and her in-laws at the dining.

“Do you need sugar for your tea?”. Gaston asked Ophelia but she said nothing.

As memories of how he had tried to anger Richard instead of helping her push Gerald off yesterday came to her head.

“Unnessarily rude”. Mrs Diamond who saw that spat at Ophelia who ignored her as she continued eating the breakfast of toast, tea and (optional) scrambled eggs.

“Here you go”. Pascal said passing the Sugar to Ophelia who smiled at him.

“Thank you”. She said and Pascal nodded while Gaston rolled eyes.

Irene also helped her put a few things before her since she couldn't stand to get them herself on the long dining.

And Pascal's eyes followed Irene like one who was expecting her to mess up.

Suddenly loud disturbing footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.

“Now I need you to tell me why you ordered for my flogging! Do you think I'm still a kid?!!”. Gerald shouted storming down the stairs in anger.

But then his gaze caught Ophelia who ignored his entire existence as she continued eating.

She was dressed in a yellow up shoulder flare gown, and her long hair was packed in a ponytail.

“Wow! You look stunning this morning Lia!!”. Gerald said as he moved towards Ophelia.

Irene on the other hand had bent behind the chairman's long dining chair, hiding from the drug addict.

Gerald was almost close to Ophelia when Pascal got up and pushed him away from her.

“Haven't you done enough yesterday?! Kissing her in front of the whole family isn't enough now you dare shamelessly act like nothing happened?! Do you want me to punch you?!”. Pascal threatened and Mrs Diamond made to speak but a stare from the chairman kept her quiet.

“Hey. The f**k are you talking about?”. Gerald hissed as he moved closer to Ophelia and this time Gaston stood up and punched him hard on the face which sent him to the floor.

And then Gaston turned to Ophelia with a smile as he dusted his palms and Ophelia ignored him as she wheeled herself out of the dining.

“What the heck is you both problem?!”. Gerald shouted as he got up in anger the moment Ophelia left.

“Their problem is that because of drugs…because you were high you molested your sister-in-law right in front of her very own husband and the rest of the household yesterday noon!!”. Mr Diamond who had always been quiet shouted and his wife rolled eyes.

“I did what?! I was in my room all through the afternoon! I never come out during noon when I'm high!! How dare you all slander me?!”. Gerald shouted and the whole family frowned at him.

While Pascal's gaze went to Irene who was now trying to sneak out of the place into the kitchen while still hiding, he frowned as he ignored her, then he took his gaze back to Gerald.

“It doesn't matter who brought you out! The fact that you forced yourself on Ophelia still stands!!”. Pascal shouted.

“I didn't do anything!!!---

Gerald shouted roughing his head in frustration but his gaze soon caught Irene who was crawling on her knees to the kitchen and instantly memories of how she had stolen from him and still made him carry the stolen stuffs out of his room returned to him, he then remembered how he had forcefully kissed Ophelia and his eyes became bloodshot in anger.

“You sneaky maid!!!”. Gerald shouted in anger picking a knife smeared with knife from the dining and running towards Irene who turned to him with widened eyes.

“Ahh!!!!”. Irene screamed with an high pitched voice as she jumped up on her feet and began running round the dining table and Gerald chased hotly after her.

Mr and Mrs Diamond watched them in puzzlement same with Gaston, but the chairman ignorantly drank delicately drank delicately from his tea as he read from an old newspaper.

“You f**king took advantage of the fact that I was high!!”. Gerald shouted as he chased after her.

“I'm sorry!!!”. Irene screamed in tears as she continued running.

“You stole from me again!!!”. Gerald shouted as they continued the chase.

“I'm sorry!!!”. Irene replied.

“You made me kiss my sister-in-law!!!”. Gerald shouted.

“I'm sorry but not sorry! You kissed her with your own lips not mine!!”. Irene shouted frightfully and Mr Diamond choked on his tea, at her statement.

Pascal only stared irritatingly at Irene.

“How dare you say that to my face, you little thief!!”. Gerald shouted as he stopped running to throw the knife the knife at Irene whose eyes widened as out of fright her legs stopped moving as she awaited the knife coming her way.

But Pascal suddenly stepped in and slapped the flying knife off before it got to her and Irene broke down to the floor in shock.

“I almost died”. She mumbled hugging herself.

“Because of your greediness”. Pascal spat before her and she only hugged herself more.

While Gerald stormed towards them.

“You stay out of it!! Lia hates me now and it's this little witch's fault!!”. Gerald shouted pushing Pascal away as he stormed towards Irene grabbed her by the collar, and raised her off the ground.

Now her feet's were dangling in the air, because of how little she was and Pascal stormed to push Gerald back but the tout didn't let go of Irene who was now crying.

“Chairman please save me!! I promise I won't steal again!!”. Irene pleaded tearfully and Gerald only scoffed at her plea.

“Did you forget you're also good at lying? This little mouth of yours lies every single seconds so who dares believe your promise”. Gerald spat hitting Irene's little lips with just one finger and like a kid she broke into more tears and Pascal only frowned.

“Would you stop bullying the kid?!”. Pascal spat loudly and Gerald threw him a glare.

“This kid isn't a kid! I knew I was right! I knew she really stole from me at that club! But because I was high everyone believed her lies of loosing the money to thieves!! Now she has stolen again and that from me again!! I want you to pay me every single dime you owe me! Starting from the club, then my wines and drinks that ended up getting set ablaze because of you!!”. Gerald shouted in anger, his hand still on Irene's collar as she continued dangling on the air.

“But I'm just a teenager, I have no money!!”. Irene pleaded tearfully and both Gerald and Pascal exchabged puzzled stares.

“Teen-ager? You're really a kid as your height implies?”. Pascal questioned and Irene Instantly nodded.

“Can't believe I was assaulting a kid”. Gerald spat with a frown as he let go of her roughly and instantly she ran to hide behind the chairman who shook his head as he stared at his grandsons.

“But I don't understand why you would hire a kid old man! Isn't that child abuse?!!”. Gaston shouted out of confusion also.

“Yeah! You could have just sent her to school if you wanted to help so badly!”. Pascal added.

“I don't care about anything. I just want all my money back”. Gerald spat glaring at Irene who fearfully ignored his gaze as she his behind the chairman who turned to her.

“Ask her yourselves. Is she really a teen or she just lied again to slip out of Gerald's grip”. The chairman said and Irene's eyes widened.

“She lied again!! Oh I'm so going to ruin that mouth of hers!!”. Gerald spat angrily as he stormed towards Irene.

“I'm really a teenager!! I'm nineteen!!”. Irene shouted as she shifted backwards and Pascal and Gaston shook head at her.

“Nineteen is one year after adulthood you delilah!!”. Gerald spat almost getting to Irene.

“Stop”. The chairman said and he stopped on his track to frown at the chairman.

“Do not defend her chairman! I need my money!!”. Gerald shouted and the chairman nodded.

“Yes. And since she can't pay if off, keep her as your personal maid, she'll work for you for two years to pay off her debts”. The chairman’s said and everyone's eyes widened.

“What makes you think I would want to keep a maid who steals and lies?!! And how does that pay me back my money?!!”. Gerald sneered and the chairman frowned.

“Ofcourse it's a win for you. Don't you want to get linked with many dealers? She's acquainted to them lot of them”. The Chairman said and Gerald calmed down a little.

“She is? Like how many can she introduce me to per week?”. Gerald asked stroking his chin and Pascal frowned.

“It's insane to make her work with someone who'd kill her for any little offense!”. Pascal said to the Chairman and Irene nodded in agreement like he spoke her mind.

“He wouldn't dare. Or else I'll not only have him arrested but I'll make sure he inherits nothing from me or the company!”. The chairman said and Mrs Diamond frowned.

“Plus till the end of the two years agreement you can't return her back to us! Keep her with you and keep her alive!”. The chairman said before leaving the dining and Mr and Mrs Diamond with Puzzled minds went after him while Irene's eyes widened.

“Only God knows how bad you disturbed the chairman that made him throw you away to your predator”. Gaston muttered shaking his head as he left also and Pascal followed him.

Gerald glanced at Irene one last time before leaving also.

“You know how hard my wife and I have tried to make him stop drugs father! Right from when he was just a teen till now, we've sent him to multiple rehabs, but nothing worked and the rehabs would always get tired and send him back. Now you're recommending a girl whose acquainted to multiple dealers as his maid?”. Mr Diamond said as they walked the chairman to his room.

“Irene isn't acquainted with any dealer. I just said that to make him accept her, I'm tired of the girl and I think with the amount of trouble she will give to him coupled with how she loves stealing from him, it won't take time for him to forget using drugs. He'll be too frustrated he'll forget he's an addict”. The chairman said before walking into his room leaving the confused couples outside.

“But people take drugs to escape their troublesome reality. Her problem will only make his addiction worsen”. Mrs Diamond said and Mr Diamond shook his head.

“I don't think so, After he got beaten last night he was too in pains to think of drugs and this morning shouldn't he have popped a few pills already? He pops them during breakfast right, but he was so occupied with killing the maid that he forgot his sole aim of turning up for breakfast”. Mr Diamond explained and Mrs Diamond frowned.

“You always side with your dad!!”. Shs spat walking away and her husband sighed following her…