The Billionaires Contract Bride

Chapter Two

We couldn’t stay in the house. Even after the police had come and gone, taking photographs and asking questions, I couldn’t bring myself to settle down. Our belongings were scattered across the floor, drawers had been emptied, and a note had been left behind.

Pay what you owe.

Four words. That was all it took to turn our home into somewhere we were afraid to sleep.

By evening, Mia and I were sitting in a motel room, sharing a packet of biscuits neither of us particularly wanted.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the television without really watching it. I wanted to reassure her, but I couldn’t promise that everything would be fine when I didn’t know if it would be.

Our father arrived a little after nine that night, his shirt damp from the rain.

Mia immediately got up and hugged him.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he whispered, holding her close. “I’m so sorry.”

I watched them for a moment before looking away.

I had heard my father’s apologies too many times. Usually, they came after another broken promise or another problem he couldn’t fix. I was tired of hearing them, especially when I was the one left dealing with the consequences.

“Where have you been?” I asked.

He released Mia and looked at me.

“I went to see him.”

“The man you owe?”

He nodded.

“What did he say?”

“He wants his money by the end of the week.”

I stared at him. “And what did you tell him?”

“That I needed more time.”

“And?”

“He refused.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh.

“That’s it? You asked for more time, and he refused?”

“Camille, I tried to explain—”

“Explain what, Dad? That you don’t have the money? He already knows that!”

My voice rose, but I didn’t care.

“Do you understand what happened today? Someone broke into our house. They went through our things and left us a threat. What if Mia and I had been home?”

He lowered his eyes.

“What if those men had found us inside? What if one of them had r***d her? Have you even thought about that?”

Mia went quiet beside him.

I glanced at her, and my anger sharpened.

“She’s your daughter, Dad! What if something had happened to her because of your debts?”

“I never wanted this to happen.”

“But it happened anyway!”

The words came out louder than I intended.

I had left school to help repay his debts. While our mother lay in a coma, I worked to support Mia and keep our family going. I had put my education and my own plans aside because I believed that if I worked hard enough, I could help us get through it.

Yet somehow, we were still here.

“I’ve done everything I can, Camille,” he said quietly. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“You’re always saying that.”

He looked at me, but I continued.

“Every time something goes wrong, you apologise and promise things will change. Then something else happens, and I’m the one left trying to fix it. I’ve given up so much already. What else am I supposed to sacrifice?”

He had no answer.

For once, I didn’t want another promise. I wanted him to understand that his decisions were putting us in danger, and I couldn’t keep paying the price for them.

“I’m tired, Dad,” I said. “I can’t keep doing this.”

He rubbed his face with both hands.

“I know you’re angry with me.”

“Angry?” I repeated. “I’m terrified for Mia, and I’m tired of living like this. I don’t even feel safe in my own home anymore.”

He fell silent.

I turned toward my sister. She hadn’t said a word throughout our argument.

“Have you eaten?” I asked her.

She shook her head.

I picked up the packet of biscuits and handed it to her.

“Eat something. We’ll get proper food tomorrow.”

My father watched us for a moment before speaking again.

“I’ll sleep in the car tonight. You and Mia can have the room.”

I was too exhausted to argue.

He had made his choices, and I had made mine. I could no longer spend every waking moment trying to convince him to change.

I still loved my father, but I had stopped expecting his apologies to fix anything.

⸻

The following morning, I went to work.

I had barely slept, but missing another shift wasn’t an option. We still needed money for food and accommodation, and Mia’s needs wouldn’t disappear simply because our lives had become complicated.

When I arrived at the café, Nadia was already behind the counter, checking the day’s orders.

Nadia was my closest friend at work. We’d grown close over months of sharing shifts, complaining about difficult customers, and finding something to laugh about even on our worst days. She had box braids, gold hoop earrings, a sharp tongue, and a talent for turning almost anything into a joke.

“You’re early today,” she said when she saw me. “Should I be worried?”

I put my bag away and tied my apron.

“Thank you for covering my shift yesterday, by the way. I really appreciate it.”

She waved a hand dismissively.

“You’re welcome. Although, I must say, I think you owe me lunch.”

“You want lunch every day.”

“And every day, you refuse to recognise my suffering.”

I laughed quietly.

“Your suffering?”

“Yes. Do you know how difficult it is to work with people who don’t appreciate me?”

“Have you considered being less annoying?”

She placed a hand over her chest.

“Camille, and here I was thinking we were friends.”

“We are. Unfortunately.”

She shook her head and returned to the orders.

For the next few minutes, we concentrated on work. Customers began arriving, and the café gradually filled with the familiar sounds of conversations, clinking cups, and the coffee machine hissing behind the counter.

I tried to focus on my duties, but my mind kept returning to the motel and the argument with my father.

I was measuring coffee grounds when Nadia turned toward me.

“What’s wrong with you?”

I looked up. “Nothing.”

“You’re distracted, and you look exhausted.”

“I’m just tired.”

She studied me briefly.

“All right. But if you need to talk, I’m here.”

I nodded, grateful that she didn’t press me in front of the customers.

We continued working until the morning rush slowed down and we could finally take our break.

Nadia brought her food to the small table at the back of the café and sat opposite me.

“Okay,” she said, opening her container. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

I hesitated before telling her about the break-in, the note, and the motel. I explained that the police had taken a report but that I still didn’t know what would happen next.

Then I told her about my father and the deadline the creditor had given him.

When I finished, Nadia stared at me.

“Someone actually broke into your house because of your father’s debt?”

I nodded.

“And they left a threat?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head.

“Camille, that’s serious. They came into your home.”

“I know, Nadia!” I snapped. “I was there. I saw what they did.”

She fell silent.

I rubbed my forehead and sighed.

“I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and I don’t know what to do anymore.”

“It’s okay,” she said gently. “I understand.”

I looked down at my hands.

“I can’t keep putting Mia through this. I’ve already given up school to help pay the debts and support her while Mum is in the hospital. I thought if I worked hard enough, things would eventually get better.”

“And now?”

“Now I don’t know what to do.”

Nadia was quiet for a moment, tapping her fingers against the table.

“I might know someone who could help.”

I looked up.

“Help how?”

“Remember my cousin’s wedding last year? I met a woman there named Victoria. She works for a very wealthy businessman.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Let me finish.” She leaned forward slightly. “From what she told me, her employer has people who handle private matters for him. He’s discreet, and he has the resources to deal with problems most people can’t.”

I frowned.

“And you think he’ll help me?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to Victoria about your situation yet. But I could ask whether her employer might be willing to meet with you.”

I studied her face.

“Why would a wealthy businessman want to help someone like me?”

“I can’t answer that, Camille. And I’m not going to promise you something I can’t guarantee. I’m just suggesting that we find out what your options are.”

I looked away.

The idea made me uneasy. I didn’t know Victoria, and I knew even less about the man she worked for. I had no intention of walking blindly into another problem.

But I couldn’t ignore the situation we were in, either.

“What would I have to do?” I asked.

“Nothing yet. Let me speak to her first. I’ll explain what happened and see if there’s anything she can offer.”

“And you’re sure you can trust her?”

“I met her once, Camille. I’m not going to pretend she’s my best friend. But she seemed decent, and I still have her number.”

I considered it.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

“All right,” I said. “You can call her.”

Nadia nodded.

“Okay,I will.”

Our break ended, and we returned to work. She didn’t bring up the conversation again, and I was grateful. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my shift talking about my problems when there was nothing more I could do about them at that moment.

I finished my shift, cleaned my station, and changed out of my work clothes.

By the time I returned to the motel, my entire body ached.

Mia was already in bed. I checked on her, made sure she had eaten, and sat beside her for a few minutes before getting ready to sleep.

I had no message from Nadia yet.

I wasn’t surprised. She had promised to contact Victoria, but I knew it might take time.

Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility.

I didn’t know whether this wealthy man could help us or what he might want in return. But I had agreed to let Nadia make the call, and for now, that was all I could do.

I lay down on the narrow motel bed, too exhausted to think about another day of uncertainty.

Tomorrow, I would get up and do what I always did.

I would keep going.

Because whether I was ready or not, Mia was still depending on me.