Bought By The Ruthless Billionaire

*Chapter 1: The Debt* The contract was already on the table when I walked into my father’s office. White paper. Black ink. My name, Aisha Bello, typed at the bottom like I was a product for sale, not a daughter. The air smelled like stale whiskey and fear. “Aisha, sit.” My father didn’t look up. His hands shook as he poured another glass. The crystal decanter clinked against the rim. He’d been drinking since morning. “Who’s it for?” My voice came out smaller than I wanted. I was twenty-four, but I felt twelve again, standing in front of him after I broke his favorite vase. He finally looked at me. Bloodshot eyes. Defeated shoulders. The man who once ran three companies now looked like a ghost in an expensive suit. “Kola Adewale.” My blood went cold. The room tilted. Kola Adewale. Lagos’ most ruthless billionaire. CEO of Adewale Holdings. The man whose name made politicians sweat and businessmen cross the street. Thirty-two years old, unmarried, and legendary for his temper. Cold. Dominant. A man who takes what he wants and burns what he can’t keep. “He’s clearing my debt,” my father whispered. “All of it. Two billion naira. The banks were going to take the house. Your mother’s house. In exchange…” He pushed the contract toward me with trembling fingers. Ten pages of legal language I didn’t need to read. I knew what it said. “In exchange for you.” One contract. One forced marriage. Zero love. Zero choice. I picked up the Montblanc pen. It was heavy. Cold. My fingers didn’t shake. If I was going to be sold to save my family, I’d walk into Kola Adewale’s cage with my head high. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. “Where do I sign?” I asked. My father flinched like I’d slapped him. “Aisha, I’m sorry. I tried everything. The business… I failed you.” “You failed three years ago when you started gambling,” I said quietly. “This is just the bill coming due.” I signed my name on the line. Aisha Bello. The ink was still wet when I capped the pen. Tomorrow, I’d become Mrs. Kola Adewale. Tonight, I’d mourn the girl who thought love was a choice.