Betrothed to a Ruthless Billionaire

CHAPTER 5

THE COMPROMISE.

“Wait a minute! My mom is asthmatic. Where's she? Take me to her immediately,” Chloe was surprised to discover about her mother's condition. All these years they lived together, her mother never mentioned anything as such. The news about her mother being asthmatic came as a shock to her. Chloe thought her mother only had cancer.

"Don't tell me you weren't aware of her condition! This is shocking. But why would she hide that from you? Let me take you to her immediately,” the cop led the way to where her mother was. A designated, small, and isolated room meant for prisoners with rare conditions. There she saw her mother lying on the bed, looking so pale and helpless.

“Mother!!” Chloe rushed to where her mother was and held her hands.

“I thought it was just Cancer? Why didn't you tell me you had asthma too?” She kissed her forehead and cried.

“I didn't wanna disturb you. You've done a lot for me already. We deserve better than this life we living. It has never been the same since your Dad passed away.” Zoe wept and held Chloe's hands so passionately. “I'm sorry for involving you in my s**t. But please promise me one thing, that you'd get me out of here. I don't wanna die in jail! We can't afford a lawyer at this point. We can't even stand these rich people. Please, do something.”

"I promise, Mom. I promise to get you out of here. I promise to get you a better life. The lifestyle you've always wanted. You'd stop working as a janitor at the bank. You don't deserve the hardship,” Chloe pledged as she placed her head on the bed and wept inconsolably.

The cop that accompanied Chloe couldn't hold his emotions as he leaned forward to embrace Chloe. “She needs to rest. I wish there was something I could do. It's so unfortunate to be found in a situation like this. You need to leave now. Your mom would be fine,”

Walking out of the station, Chloe kept thinking about the crazy proposal Lucas offered. Marrying Danny is one hell of a nightmare, but losing her mother is what she can't handle. She returned to the company amidst the troubled soul. Arriving at her office, she stopped at Lucas's office entrance and muttered. “Am I making the right decision? I can't watch my mom die while I do nothing. She deserves a better life. Marrying that monster for three isn't a big deal. Chloe, you can do this,” she assured herself and knocked before going inside.

“How's your mom? What happened to her?” Lucas asked.

"Worst!. I'm here to accept your demand. I'll But it comes with a condition,”

“A condition?” Lucas widened his eyes.

“Yes, a condition. Aside from dropping all charges, you will grant me the loan and leave me alone."

"Meaning?"

"I won't repay the loan.

That's what I want." Chloe requested with confidence.

“You must be insane for thinking I would agree to that. Are you trying to blackmail me? We had an agreement. Why are you snitching?” Lucas became furious.

"My sanity is intact. We both know you need this more than I do. I'll keep praying for my mother.

So, are you in?"

“You are a bad b***h. We have a deal.” Lucas frowned and reluctantly agreed.

“Thank you, sir. I've always known I would count on you. Chloe stated and exited the office. Arriving outside, she met Josh holding a briefcase. He just cashed out the check for $1 million. Chloe attempted to dodge him, but he appeared too fast and stood in front of Chloe, creating an obstruction.

“What do you want from me? Haven't you done enough already?

Please let me go,” she begged.

“Are you getting married to Danny? I just overheard you talking about some marriage with him. How did they make you do this? Do you realize the consequences of this action?”

“How dare you talk about consequences? Did you even think about the consequence of your action when you got my mother arrested and told him? Did you? If you hadn't reported, none of these would be happening.” Chloe flared up.

"Come on. You can't blame me for what's happening, would you? I already told you a thousand times that the bank manager told Don Pedro about it. I wasn't even aware she was your mom. You know I care about you and wouldn't do anything to hurt your feelings. Please, you have to believe me,” Josh pleaded and acted all emotional and teary. There was nothing he could do anymore. The deed has been done already.

"I don't even know what to believe anymore. Even if you are telling the truth, how do you fix the brokenhearted? I'm sorry, I just have to do this. I can't allow my mom to rot in jail. I need to do something.” Chloe tearfully said.

"Something can still be done. Let's work it out. We can just go inside there and call off the deal. I can't allow you to embark on this journey of lust and suffering." Josh begged.

Days, weeks and months passed and Damian finally got married to Chloe. After his marriage to Chloe, his attitude towards her changed drastically. He rarely stayed in the house at night and whenever he did, he always brought in several ladies to the house.

Chloe had no choice but to accommodate his behaviors against all odds because she was only obviously married to him because of her mother's life.

One fateful night, as usual, Damian had stepped out of the house to one of his numerous clubbing and partying. Before then, he had a heated argume with Chloe which led to her running out of the house to cool her head off in a bar.

"Hello? Why are you sitting here all alone? Do you mind if I join you?" A strange voice quizzed as she took a sip from her drink. She raised her head and shot the strange man a glance.

She shook her head instantly and went back to what she was doing. "Please I'm uninterested, I suggest you take your energy somewhere else." She was obviously disappointed by what she saw, also coupled with the fact that she had enough trouble on her already.

The stranger didn't seem to give up anytime soon, he kept persuading her until she finally accepted his offer. After a few minutes of casual conversation between Chloe and the strange man, he led her into his room which was just a stone throw away from the bar.