The billionaire's contract bride

The rain had been falling for three hours when Amelia Hart realized she had run out of options. She stood beneath the narrow roof of a closed bakery, clutching a worn envelope against her chest while cold water splashed around her shoes. Her phone screen was cracked, her bank balance was almost empty, and the message she had received that morning still burned in her mind. FINAL NOTICE. She closed her eyes. “Just one more week,” she whispered. “I only need one more week.” But even she knew that was a lie. The hospital bill wasn't going to disappear. The landlord wasn't going to wait forever. And the small amount she earned from her job wasn't enough to solve everything at once. Her phone vibrated. Amelia glanced at the screen. Unknown Number. She almost ignored it. Almost. “Hello?” “Miss Hart?” The man's voice was calm and professional. “Yes?” “My name is Daniel Reed. I'm contacting you on behalf of Vale Enterprises.” Amelia straightened. Vale Enterprises. Everyone in the city knew that name. The company belonged to Adrian Vale, the youngest billionaire in the country and one of the most feared businessmen in the industry. His photographs appeared in newspapers almost every week—usually beside words like ruthless, untouchable, and uncompromising. “What does Vale Enterprises want with me?” “I'd prefer to explain in person.” Amelia frowned. “I'm not interested in a job interview.” “This isn't a job interview.” Her fingers tightened around the envelope. “Then what is it?” There was a brief silence. “Mr. Vale would like to meet you.” Her heart skipped. “Why?” “I believe that is something he would rather tell you himself.” The call ended before she could ask another question. Amelia stared at her phone. This was strange. Very strange. She should have ignored it. Instead, she found herself standing in front of the enormous glass building belonging to Vale Enterprises less than two hours later. The receptionist looked at her identification before making a phone call. “Mr. Vale is expecting you.” Amelia swallowed. “Of course.” She followed the assistant into an elevator that seemed to climb forever. When the doors opened, she stepped into a quiet executive floor surrounded by glass walls and breathtaking views of the city. Then she saw him. Adrian Vale stood beside the window with his back toward her. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight and commanding. He didn't turn when she entered. “Sit.” Amelia stared at him. No greeting. No introduction. Just one word. She walked toward the chair opposite his desk and sat down. Adrian finally turned. His expression was unreadable. His eyes settled on her with such intensity that Amelia suddenly felt as though he already knew everything about her. “Amelia Hart.” “You already know my name.” “I know more than your name.” Her stomach tightened. “Then why am I here?” Adrian walked toward the desk and placed a folder in front of her. “Because I have a proposition.” Amelia opened the folder. The first page contained her full name, address, employment history, and family information. Her face went pale. “You investigated me?” “I investigate everything that affects my company.” “This has nothing to do with your company.” “Not yet.” She looked up sharply. “What does that mean?” Adrian sat down. “I need a wife.” Amelia blinked. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then she laughed. It wasn't because anything was funny. It was the kind of laugh that escaped when something was so absurd that the mind couldn't immediately process it. “You called me here to tell me you need a wife?” “Yes.” “And you expect me to volunteer?” “No.” His answer came so quickly that her smile disappeared. “I expect you to consider a business arrangement.” Adrian slid another document across the desk. “A marriage contract.” Amelia stared at the papers. Her heart began pounding. “You're serious.” “Completely.” “You don't even know me.” “I know enough.” “No, you don't.” Adrian's expression remained calm. “I know you're twenty-four. I know you've worked three jobs in the last two years. I know you send money to your family every month. I know you recently received a final notice from the hospital concerning someone close to you.” Amelia froze. Her fingers went cold. “You had me followed?” “No.” “Then how did you—” “I had my people gather information.” “That isn't normal.” “I didn't say it was.” She pushed the contract away. “This is insane.” Adrian leaned back. “Probably.” “Then find someone else.” “I could.” His eyes remained fixed on hers. “But I don't want someone else.” The room suddenly felt too quiet. Amelia looked at him suspiciously. “Why me?” For the first time, something flickered across his face. Not emotion. Something closer to calculation. “My family expects me to marry before the end of the year.” “And?” “And there are certain people who would benefit if I refused.” Amelia didn't understand. “You're a billionaire. Surely you can handle your family.” “This isn't about handling them.” His voice hardened. “This is about protecting my company.” He pushed the contract toward her again. “One year. We remain married for twelve months. You live in my house, attend certain family events with me, and maintain the appearance of a genuine marriage.” “And after one year?” “The marriage ends.” Amelia stared at him. “And what do I get?” Adrian opened another folder. Inside was a figure that made her breath catch. The amount was more money than she had ever seen in her entire life. “This is your compensation.” She slowly looked up. “You're offering me this much just to pretend to be your wife?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I need a wife who won't fall in love with me.” Amelia almost laughed again. “You have a very high opinion of yourself.” His eyebrow lifted slightly. “Do I?” “Yes.” For the first time, the corner of his mouth moved. Not quite a smile. But almost. “Good.” Amelia looked back at the contract. There were rules. No interference in his business. No questions about his private affairs. No expectation of emotional commitment. And one final clause: Neither party could terminate the agreement before twelve months without consequences. She swallowed. This was ridiculous. Dangerous. Completely against everything she believed in. Yet the number on the page kept pulling her eyes back. The hospital. Her family. The overdue bills. All the things she had been desperately trying to hold together were suddenly within reach. Adrian watched her struggle silently. “You don't have to answer today.” Amelia looked up. “Then why do I feel like you're expecting me to say yes?” “Because you will.” Her eyes narrowed. “You're arrogant.” “I've been told.” “I could still walk out.” “You could.” “And refuse.” “Yes.” “Then why are you so confident?” Adrian's gaze held hers. “Because you need the money.” The words struck harder than they should have. Amelia stood abruptly. “Don't ever speak to me like that again.” Adrian didn't move. “I apologize.” She picked up the contract. “I'll read this.” “Take your time.” She turned toward the door. “Amelia.” She stopped. His voice was quieter this time. “If you accept, your life will never be the same.” She looked over her shoulder. “Neither will yours.” For the first time, Adrian looked genuinely surprised. Amelia walked out. She didn't see the expression that crossed his face after the doors closed. She didn't see him open the second folder on his desk. And she certainly didn't see the photograph inside. A photograph of Amelia. Taken years before they had ever met. Adrian stared at it for a long moment. Then he whispered the words that would change everything. “She has no idea why I really chose her.”