The billionaire contract ex-wife

Chapter3

Adrian POV

Oh my God. Why would Grandfather do this to me?

I knew he was up to something the moment he called me over, but this? Deciding out of nowhere—without my consent—to marry me off to a total stranger?

I knew exactly what he was doing. He was trying to protect my reputation, trying to shut down the rumors spreading about me and Paulinah.

The truth that no one wants to believe is that Paulinah and I are just friends. She’s an orphan. She has nobody. I’ve been the only person there for her. I support her. I care about her.

And now this… what was her name? Amera Hart.

She was short—maybe five-foot-four—with striking blue eyes and a figure that, I’ll admit, completed the picture. But that wasn’t what caught my attention.

She stared back at me without flinching. Fearless. Like she didn’t care who I was or what I could do. She signed that contract as if she had nothing to lose.

What gave her the audacity to look me in the eye like that? Everywhere I go, women throw themselves at me. They know who I am, how much I’m worth. But this girl? I didn’t see any of that in her eyes.

Broke, but proud.

Her words still echoed in my head: “You’re not my type of guy.”

Who the hell does she think she is?

The moment I got home, I instructed one of the maids to prepare a room for her. I was in the living room playing a game when Paulinah walked in.

“Adrian, what’s up?” She hugged me and sat down beside me.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah. I might go shopping later with the girls.” She smiled.

I heard the car horn at the gate. That arrogant girl. My driver retrieved her suitcase as she stepped out.

“Who’s she?” Paulinah asked, her expression confused.

“Hold on.”

I stood up just as Amera walked in. Her eyes swept over me and Paulinah briefly.

“Your room is the third one upstairs. I’ve told the maid to prepare everything you’ll need.” I gestured toward the staircase. “And Amera, this is my best friend, Paulinah. Paulinah, meet my wife.”

Amera didn’t even pause. “I don’t care about anyone.”

Then she turned and walked toward her room.

“Wait—your wife?” Paulinah’s voice was sharp with confusion.

I didn’t answer. I headed straight upstairs and knocked on Amera’s door. She opened it and stared at me, unbothered.

“How dare you talk to me like that?” I said, my voice low and controlled. “I won’t allow you to disrespect me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, boss,” she said flatly, still staring at me without an ounce of fear.

I stepped back and left her room.

God, who is this girl? She has no fear at all. This short girl is disrespecting the CEO of Blackwood Global. I’m going to teach her a lesson.

When I got back downstairs, Paulinah had already left. I called her, but she didn’t answer. I knew she was angry—shocked, too.

I pulled out my phone and called Luke, my right-hand man.

“I need all the details on Amera Hart. Everything.”

“Yes, boss.”

Why does everyone want to dictate my life? It’s my life. My mother has her own plans for my marriage—she wants me to marry one of her friend’s daughters. She’s never going to accept this arrangement.

Later that evening, Amera came down to the dining room for dinner. She wore a fitted dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She looked… good. Really good.

She sat down and started eating without saying a word.

Halfway through dinner, Paulinah walked in. She came straight over and sat beside me.

“Hey, Adrian.” Her words were slightly slurred. She reeked of alcohol.

“You know you’re a lightweight, right? You can barely handle one drink.” I looked at her, concerned.

“I know,” she said, waving me off. “But why is your wife acting like this?”

Amera didn’t even look up. She just kept eating.

“Stop it,” I said quietly, trying to warn her off.

But Paulinah ignored me. “Adrian, you’re really telling me that’s your wife?” She gestured toward Amera, then turned to face her directly. “Amera, are you sure you’re not angry that I’m here with your husband?”

Amera slowly raised her head. Her eyes locked on mine, not Paulinah’s.

“Please tell your friend not to talk to me ever again. I don’t care about your business, your friendship, your relationship, or whatever you want to call it. I’m not here for that. Tell her to mind her business, and I’ll mind mine.”

She stood abruptly and walked away.

“Adrian, your wife doesn’t like me. What did I do to her?” Paulinah’s voice cracked, tears forming in her eyes.

Amera stopped at the doorway. She turned back and stared at us—at me—like she had a hundred things she wanted to say. But she swallowed them all and headed into her room.