MARRIED TO MY EX-BOYFRIEND FATHER

Episode 2

Jessica’s POV

The soft lighting in the hotel lounge created shadows on Damien Blackwood's sculpted face, his gray eyes sparkling with a desire that sent tingles down my spine. My heart raced, the headline seared into my thoughts: Damien Blackwood Searches for Wife in High-Stakes Business Arrangement. Sandra’s whisper resonated—he’s staring at you—and the burden of Jade’s treachery weighed heavily on my heart. Hours earlier, I discovered Jade had wed Elise in a clandestine Vegas ceremony, a million-dollar agreement solidifying their promises while I pleaded at his doorstep. Now, his father was seated opposite me, presenting an opportunity that could serve as my vengeance or my downfall. My hands shook around the champagne flute, yet I managed a smile, concealing the turmoil within.

“Jessica,” Damien replied, his tone as smooth as silk, “I require a wife to finalize a merger.” "One year of a contractual marriage, and you'll leave with ten million dollars." His stare undressed me, challenging me to jump.

Ten million dollars. Sufficient to reconstruct my existence, to lay to rest the agony of Jade’s deceit—eight months of infidelity, a fake marriage to Elise, all while I acted the fool. However, wedding his father? It was a delightfully harsh method to stab at Jade’s heart, but the thought frightened me. "Why am I the one?" I inquired, my tone calm despite the turmoil in my mind.

"You’re... fascinating," he remarked, inching nearer, his cologne a potent blend of cedar and strength. "And I noticed the flames within you this evening." "You have no fear of playing the game."

My heart raced. He was unaware that I was Jade's former partner, and I planned to maintain that secrecy. This was my opportunity to regain my strength. “I’ll consider it,” I replied, rising, my heels clicking as I turned to leave. His laugh trailed behind me, soft and hinting at mischief.

---

The following morning, I stirred in my apartment, the subtle aroma of rosemary anchoring me. My phone vibrated with a message from Jade: I miss you, babe. Shall we have dinner this evening? My belly turned. I hadn’t addressed his Vegas wedding—part of me wasn’t prepared to accept that reality. Instead, I had avoided his calls, reflecting on Damien’s proposal. Ten million dollars. A contractual marriage. Retribution.

I forced myself to the hotel for my shift, my thoughts a mix of anger and desire. Sandra trapped me in the break room, her eyes widening. “Jess, you didn't spend the night with Damien, did you?”

"Absolutely not!" I lost my temper, my face flushed. "He proposed a bargain to me—a sham marriage for his enterprise." "Ten million dollars."

Her mouth fell open. "Are you really thinking about it?" He is the father of Jade. "Jade is now married!"

“I understand,” I murmured, the treachery stinging anew. "That’s the reason it’s ideal." “Jade merits to suffer.”

Sandra seized my arm. "Take care, Jess." Damien isn’t merely a billionaire—he’s brutal. "If he discovers the truth about you and Jade..."

“He won’t,” I replied, yet uncertainty gnawed at me. I pressed it down, concentrating on my tables. The lunch rush was chaotic, but a recognizable figure at the bar caught me by surprise. Elise, Jade's new spouse, lounged with a martini in hand, her diamond ring reflecting the illumination. A chill ran through my veins. What was she doing in this place?

I crouched behind a column, my heart racing. Sandra whispered, “Jess, what’s the matter?”

“It's her,” I murmured, gesturing toward Elise. "Jade's spouse."

Sandra's gaze expanded. “Oh, damn." Remain down. "I will take care of your tables."

However, Elise's eyes scanned the room, homing in on me like a guided projectile. She walked closer, her heels tapping with each step, her grin as pointed as always. “Jessica, am I correct?” Her voice was sweetened with venom. "We should have a discussion."

My stomach dropped, but I straightened my shoulders. "What is it that you desire?"

She moved in nearer, her scent overwhelming. “I’m aware that you’re still circling around Jade.” He shared all the details with me—about your eagerness to reclaim him. "Pitiful." Her remarks were shocking, but then she revealed the truth. “He's more than just my husband.” He is the dad of my kid.”

The planet leaned. “Kid?” I gasped, my voice only a murmur.

Elise touched her smooth belly, her grin ferocious. "Three months in." Jade is excited. “Therefore, step aside, or I’ll turn your life into a nightmare.”

My knees gave way, but I managed to support myself against the pillar. Jade had been dishonest about everything—not only the infidelity, not just the marriage, but also a child? The treachery felt alive, scratching at my soul. I wanted to shout, to face him, but Elise's warning weighed heavily. “You're not telling the truth,” I replied, though my voice trembled.

“Am I?” She retrieved her phone, displaying a sonogram picture with Jade’s name written on the edge. “Keep your distance, or you'll wish you hadn't.” She strolled away, leaving me breathless.

Sandra hurried over, her complexion ashen. “Jess, what did she mention?”

"She’s expecting," I murmured, tears stinging. "Baby of Jade."

Sandra swore, embracing me tightly. “That scoundrel. You have to finish this, Jess. “Enough with the games with Jade—or Damien.”

Yet vengeance was all that remained for me. I cleared my tears, my determination strengthening. "I'm not finished." “I'm accepting Damien's proposal… I’ve decided.”

---

That night, I encountered Damien at his penthouse, a modern stronghold of glass and metal. He filled a glass with wine for me, his presence overwhelming. “Have you made your decision?” he inquired, his tone soft, eager.

I inhaled deeply, the recollection of Elise’s sonogram igniting my passion. “I’m on board.” One year, ten million. "But without attachments—no feelings, no complexities."

His lips curled, resembling a predator’s grin. "Agreement." He pushed a contract over the table, my name already printed next to his. My hand trembled as I signed, determining my destiny. "To our collaboration," he stated, lifting his glass.

We tapped our glasses together, but discomfort settled in my stomach. I was engaging in a risky game, and Damien's intensity led me to question whether I had misjudged him.

Of course! Please provide the text you would like me to paraphrase, and I'll be happy to help.

A few days later, I returned to work, the contract a hidden secret weighing heavily in my wallet. Jade had been messaging incessantly, unaware that I knew about his child. I overlooked him, concentrating on my upcoming role as Damien's future fiancée. However, amidst a calm shift, a man at the VIP table drew my attention—Mr. Joe, a disreputable frequent visitor who gave generous tips but consistently tested limits.

"Champagne, darling," he mumbled, tapping the spot next to him. "Take a seat." "Share a drink with me."

I compelled a grin while serving his beverage. "Only serving tonight, Mr. Joe."

He seized my wrist, his hold causing bruises. "Go on, don't be bashful." His lips brushed against my ear, and I halted, repulsion swelling—until a figure appeared behind him.

“Remove your hands from her,” a voice snarled. Mr. Joe was pulled abruptly, slamming into the table, and glasses broke. Damien remained there, his hands balled into fists, gaze ignited with a rage that took my breath away. The room became quiet, onlookers gazing.

“Damien,” I breathed, my heart pounding. He was unaware of Jade, yet his sense of protectiveness seemed intimate, risky.

He glanced at me, his face becoming gentle yet fervent. “Jessica, you are here with me now.” “Nothing belongs to anyone but me.” He took my hand, tugging me towards the exit. However, just before we got to the door, a recognizable voice pierced through the turmoil.

"Is that you, Jessica?" Jade remained motionless, his expression a blend of disbelief and anger, holding a velvet box—a ring, sparkling in the brightness. "What on earth is happening?" "And why is your hand being held by my father?"

My blood became frozen. Jade was not meant to be present. He wasn't meant to witness this. Damien's hold intensified, his gaze sharpening as he looked between us, suspicion emerging. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and I understood my secret was moments away from being exposed. Elise’s pregnancy, Damien’s contract, Jade’s new ring—everything was on the verge of crashing together, an

d I found myself at the center, my heart aching as the world compressed around me.