The Billionaire Love Pawn

Bella Westlake stood by the window of her father's office, gazing out at the bustling city below. Her thoughts swirled with anxiety and uncertainty as she watched the cars whiz by and the people hurry along the sidewalks. The news of her father's business troubles had spread like wildfire, and now their once-thriving company was teetering on the edge of collapse. Her father, Gabriel Westlake, sat behind his desk, his face lined with worry as he sifted through a pile of papers. He was a man who had always prided himself on his business acumen, but even he seemed at a loss for how to salvage their sinking ship. "Bella," he said, his voice heavy with resignation, "we need to talk." Bella turned away from the window, her heart sinking as she met her father's troubled gaze. "What is it, Dad?" Gabriel sighed heavily before continuing. "Our investors are pulling out. They've lost faith in us after that scandal hit the news." Bella felt a knot form in her stomach. She had heard about the scandal – some damning allegations had been made against the company, and now their reputation was in tatters. "What are we going to do?" Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "I've been trying to secure new partnerships, but no one wants to touch us with a ten-foot pole. Except..." He trailed off, hesitating. "Except who, Dad?" Bella pressed, her heart pounding in her chest. Gabriel looked up at her, his expression grim. "Liam Fisher." Bella's breath caught in her throat. Liam Fisher was a name she knew well – he was a ruthless businessman, known for his cutthroat tactics and insatiable greed. The idea of being in debt to him sent shivers down her spine. Bella sat in front of her vanity, tears rolling down her cheeks as she cried her heart out to her reflection. A reflection of herself she doesn't recognize anymore, she screamed while pulling her hairs and clamping at her chest as she recaptures the moment her father told her the saddening news. Not like he cared about her feelings anyway. “Are you happy now ? Marrying me off to someone all in the name of reviving your as good as worthless business ?. I'm not some property to be traded am human for crying out loud Micheal, I have feelings, dreams and choice of my own. Why would you just toss everything away from me”. Yes you heard me I address my sperm donor as Micheal what most doting daughters call their father but then I can't imagine calling that my Dad. He has treated me as shitty as you can imagine. Mr Westlake stood rigid, his face rid of any emotions and impassive, as he listened to his daughter outburst passively. With the looks in his eyes, he's not budging. “Bella, you could go all day ranting about whatever but you should know how important this marriage is to our family. It's a decision I've taken already and the wedding is set already,” he said emotionlessly and calmly. “We're not family! I don't care, I won't do it, marry someone I don't love to please someone I hate because you feel it's convenient for you and pleases you cold stoned heart you monster of a man”, She screamed, her voice breaking with tears streaming down her cheeks floodlike. Mr Westlake sighed heavily, “you're being selfish, Bella. This isn't just about you; it's about our family and future. You need to understand that sometimes sacrifices are made; A single person taking the blow for the whole family is better than the whole family blown. Bella was beyond reasoning, as someone who has always been a dutiful daughter, but she was drawing the line now. She couldn't take the blow for the sake of family. I'm never doing it; I won't be part and parcel of this arranged marriage, “ she yelled, sobbing. She stood up from the vanity and walked into the toilet, sliding her dress down her shoulder, letting it drop to the floor as she bent down to lick up her dress from the floor still with tears streaming down her cheeks. She stood under the shower as she let the cold water run down her body from her soaked hair till it dripped to the floor. Is this how my life is going to be from now henceforth ? I've never offended anyone to deserve this sort of punishment from a man who was supposed to be a doting father to me. Mom, why'd you have to leave me ?? . She screamed as she plunged to the floor while closing her eyes as the memories of that night came flooding her mind. 4 years old Bella Mommy can we please go somewhere fun for my fifth year birthday ? Bella asked her my mom Bella how about we have a birthday party and your friends come over , her mom answered while driving the car and also trying to avoid swerving wrongly due to being distracted by Bella Mommy please I promise not to ask for anymore favors from you she pleaded. Bella, you know that I'll do anything to make you happy right ? Mommy please just this one time she made her puppy eyes looking at her mom like a lost puppy. Stop using your puppy eyes on me, you know I'll do anything for you thereafter. I love you mommy she tried hugging her mom I love you t….o… The car came collided with another car, which was a drunk driver But her mom had already hit her head on the window glass which broke and was bleeding profusely As soon as the emergency service were called Bella watched as her mom was being rolled on a stretcher and into the Ambulance, and she was held by the police officer who was driving closely following the ambulance to the nearby hospital. Doctor how's my wife doing?, how's she doing? doctor say something Her father walked into the ward and pulled on the nearest doctor he found. I'm sorry sir we lost her, it was a miracles you daughter survived the accident sir ; the doctor replied End of flashback. And that was the last bella ever knew was being loved was, Her father died along with her mother that night. But now she's living with her strange sperm donor as she refers to him, There's no way that man is Dad. Promising herself that she's going to be strong and face her battles fiercely, she wiped her tears After washing her body and taking her time in the bathroom, she walked out and stood in front of her mirror knowing that she's all she had left to herself, she wiped her tears, smiled and said. “I'm not going to be any billionaire pawn.”