The Billionaire's Forsaken Bride

The Forced Marriage

Lucy’s POV

"You think this is something we can just undo?"

With her heart thumping and the marriage license in her shaking palms, Lucy's voice reverberated throughout the hotel room. It wasn't real. It isn't possible.

Bill narrowed his piercing blue eyes and ran a hand over his hair. "Maria is telling lies. It must have been forged by her.

The paper, however, felt authentic. Too authentic. The autographs were precisely in position, and the ink was dried. Worst of all, she had one of those signatures.

Her throat tightened each breath. "I don’t remember signing this!"

Bill took the certificate from her and scanned it one more. He tightened his jaw. "This... isn't rational. I also can't recall."

Lucy gazed at him. He looked strained, but did he truly look as surprised as she did? She was no longer sure what to believe.

The door then sprang open.

A man with an unreadable face stepped in wearing a dark suit. Maria walked in behind him as if she owned the place.

Maria chirped, "Good morning, lovebirds," her voice brimming with phony tenderness.

Lucy clenched her hands into fists. "Get out."

Disregarding her, Maria looked at the man next to her. "Tell them, Mr. DeSantis."

The man looked from Lucy to Bill and cleared his throat. "I am your legal advisor, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Last night, your marriage was performed in a secret ceremony. The documents were signed by witnesses. Everything is enforceable by law.

Lucy felt sick to her stomach.

No. No, no, no.

Bill moved forward. "This isn't feasible. We were given drugs. This marriage isn't legitimate.

Maria let out a loud sigh. "Don't be so boring, Bill. It was all done in a lawful manner. The law doesn't care if you were a little inebriated. Her grin widened as she turned to face Lucy. "My dear, congratulations. Officially, you are Mrs. Thomas.

Lucy felt her chest heave. "You won’t get away with this."

Maria laughed quietly. "Oh, I have it already. You see, Lucy, you're ignorant of something."

Maria reached into her purse and took out a stack of pictures, causing Lucy's hands to shake. She threw them onto the bed and smiled wickedly.

Lucy's blood froze.

pictures of her and Bill sharing a bed.

She had half off her dress. He had her in his arms. One thing was implied by the way their bodies entangled.

Lucy stumbled back. "This… this didn’t happen!"

Maria's head c****d. "Did it not? How would you know, really? You vanished like a flash.

Lucy breathed in short, sharp breaths. She looked to Bill, her vision blurry, but she couldn't read his face.

"This is the exciting part," Maria whispered, leaning forward. These pictures will be on all news websites by morning if you attempt to dissolve this marriage. The headlines? In an outrageous wedding night scandal, a drunken heiress seduces a billionaire CEO.

Lucy's entire world whirled.

Maria was fully aware of her actions. Her reputation would be destroyed if these pictures were made public. Her future, her career, was gone.

As Lucy muttered, "You're a monster."

Maria only grinned. Perhaps. However, I always get what I desire.

Lucy's heart pounded as she shook her head. A way out had to exist. A gap. Anything.

Bill's face darkened as he turned to face Maria. "Why are you doing this?"

Maria's mouth twisted. "Because I'm sick of Lucy interfering, darling Bill. Don't worry, though. Both of you will perform your parts flawlessly. She folded her arms. "What if you don't? Let's just say that these are not the worst pictures.

The blood in Lucy froze. "What do you mean?"

Maria grinned and took a step forward. "I mean, darling, if you refuse to stay married, these little pictures will look like child’s play compared to what I have."

Lucy felt a knot in her stomach. "You’re bluffing."

Maria never faltered in her smile. "Try me."

The room was silent.

Bill's jaw clenched as he let out a quick exhale. His eyes were impenetrable as he gazed at Lucy. He then looked at Maria.

"What do you want?" His tone was icy and piercing.

Maria grinned more broadly. "Easy. You remain wed. You play the role. Be the devoted, affectionate husband. And Lucy—" she said, turning to face her, a gleam of laughter in her eyes, "—you make the ideal little wife."

Lucy gave a headshake. "No. Never."

Maria's face grew serious. "Then say goodbye to everything you’ve ever worked for."

Lucy's hands shook. It seemed as though the walls were closing in. She looked at Bill, looking for a solution in his face. A means of escape.

His face, however, was unreadable.

There was a long silence before he spoke.

"Fine."

Lucy gasped. "What?"

Bill fixed his eyes on Maria's. "We’ll stay married."

Lucy's entire world fell apart. "Bill—"

His voice was low as he turned to face her. "Lucy, now is not the time to fight. We'll comply. For the time being."

Maria gave a hand clap. "Good boy, Bill." Her eyes were shining as she turned to see Lucy. "And you, sweetheart. You'd better get that smile under control. You'll require it.

Lucy clasped her hands. "I swear, Maria, I will make you pay for this."

Maria merely chuckled. "Oh, my dear. You have already made the payment.

She pivoted and made her way to the entrance. Without a word, the legal advisor followed.

Maria looked over her shoulder as she arrived at the doorway. "Enjoy your honeymoon."

Then she was gone.

The room became quiet.

Lucy's body trembled with anger and powerlessness as her heart raced. Her eyes blazed as she turned to face Bill. "Why did you agree to this?"

Bill exhaled and ran a hand over his hair. "Because we require time to resolve this. She will bury us both if we fight back right now.

Lucy took a deep breath. "What the heck? We simply act like we're acting."

Bill's mouth clenched. "For now."

Lucy wanted to shout. This was not taking place. It shouldn't be taking place.

Bill's subsequent remarks, however, caused her stomach to plummet.

"We have to prepare. In an hour, there will be a press conference.

Lucy gasped for air. "Press conference?"

Bill had a serious look on his face. "Maria already announced our marriage to the world."

Lucy's knees almost gave out.

She had more than one nightmare.

It was on the verge of being public.

Lucy breathed sharply and quickly.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she repeated, "A press conference?"

Bill remained unblinking. "Yes. The news was already leaked by Maria. Everyone believes that we recently had a covert wedding and are much in love.

In Lucy's ears, her pulse roared. "She planned everything."

Bill gave a nod. "Down to the last detail."

Lucy balled her fingers into fists. She was imprisoned by Maria in a cage without windows or doors. She would be dooming herself in front of cameras, reporters, and the world the moment she entered that news conference.

She's lost her entire life.

"Lucy," Bill's voice interrupted her train of thought. "We have no other option. We have to finish today. We'll then devise a strategy to retaliate."

She raised her head to look him in the eye. There was something—determination—behind his inscrutable expression. A glimmer of rebellion.

It helped to steady her for a moment.

The door suddenly flung open.

The room was filled with hairdressers and assistants. A woman in her middle years with keen eyes clapped her hands. "We have an hour, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Let's prepare you.

Lucy felt a knot in her stomach.

Thomas, Mrs.

She wasn't married to Bill. He would never marry her.

She had to pretend today, though.

At a big table surrounded by microphones one hour later, Lucy sat rigidly next to Bill. They were blinded and unrelentingly bombarded by camera flashes.

She pressed her fingers into her lap. She was afraid her ribs could fracture from the force of her heartbeat.

Bill, the mighty billionaire, sat next to her. His posture was assured, his look impenetrable, and his dark suit was immaculate. If he was angry, he didn't express it.

Maria watched everything with a triumphant look while standing in the background with her arms folded.

The press conference started.

One of the reporters bent forward. "Mr. Thomas, the unexpected marriage announcement stunned the entire globe. When did you and Miss Henrique fall in love, please?

Bill made no hesitation. He extended his arm to grasp Lucy's hand.

She winced but did not retreat. She was unable to.

Bill gave the cameras a smile. "Lucy and I have been acquainted for many years. We didn't talk about our relationship, but when you know, you know.

The reporters laughed. Someone gave a dreamy sigh.

The vomit rising in Lucy's throat was swallowed.

One of the women in the front row held up her hand. Her title made Lucy shudder. "Mrs. Thomas," she remarked, "what made you say yes to this whirlwind marriage?"

Lucy forced a smile. "Bill… has always been there for me." Her voice seemed robotic and far away. "It just felt right."

More flashes. More applauding mutterings.

Maria, who was standing at the rear, nodded at her.

That smirk made Lucy want to slap it off her face.

A second reporter got up. Rumor has said that this marriage was arranged, Bill. that it was coerced. How would you respond to that?

The atmosphere stiffened.

Bill tightened his hold on Lucy's hand.

She was shocked when he turned to face her and used two fingers to lift her chin.

He whispered, "Does this look forced to you?"

He leaned forward before she could respond—

and gave her a kiss.

The room was filled with gasps. Flashes on the camera burst forth like fireworks.

Lucy's thoughts became blank.

Bill's lips were controlled and gentle yet firm as they touched hers. A strategic maneuver. A show.

However, her body—her body of betrayal—reacted. Her chest began to heat up. She pressed her fingers into his sleeve.

Then he drew back as fast as it had begun.

He grinned as he turned to face the media. "I think that answers your question."

Laughter. Cheers. More flashes.

With her heart hammering her ribs, Lucy sat motionless.

Maria appeared enraged.

Lucy noticed her smirk waver for the first time.

Excellent.

She didn't have time to celebrate, though. Because she felt cold as she heard the next question.

"Mrs. Thomas," a reporter yelled, "are the pregnancy rumors true?"

Lucy's entire world shifted.

She coughed out, "What?"

A notebook was opened by the reporter. "This unexpected wedding was partly caused by the fact that you are expecting Mr. Thomas's child, according to a number of people. Could you verify?"

Lucy stopped breathing.

Are you pregnant?

She wasn't expecting a child. She was unable to be.

However, then—

Her eyes met Maria's.

The smile was back.

That's when Lucy realized.

The strategy included this.

Maria wasn't merely pressuring her to be married.

She was keeping her trapped in it.

Forever.