The Billionaire's Forced Wife

Chapter 2 - His Rules

Elena stood frozen in the middle of Alexander Sterling's penthouse. It didn't look like a home. It looked like a cold, expensive museum with glass walls and no warmth.

"My lawyer has prepared the contract," Alexander said without looking at her. He poured himself a drink, his back to her. "You will read it and sign it."

"Contract?" Elena's voice was shaking.

He finally turned. His grey eyes were as cold as ice.

"This marriage is business, Elena. Nothing more. Rule number one, you will not interfere in my work or my life. Rule number two, you will play the role of my perfect, obedient wife in public. Smile when I need you to smile. And rule number three..."

He walked closer, so close she could smell his expensive cologne. He lifted her chin with one finger.

"Never, ever fall in love with me. Because I will never love you. I am incapable of love."

Elena's heart pounded. She wanted to slap him. She wanted to run away. But then she remembered her father's hospital bill. She remembered her mother's tears on the phone. Her father needed a heart surgery that cost 2 million. This man was offering to pay it all.

"I understand," she whispered, tears filling her eyes.

"Good." He handed her a black credit card. "Buy whatever you need. A dress for tomorrow. The wedding is tomorrow at 9 AM. My driver will pick you up. Don't be late. I hate people who are late."

He walked into his master bedroom and slammed the door, leaving Elena alone in the dark, cold living room with a marriage contract in her hand.

She looked at the contract. Six months. She had to be his wife for only six months. After six months, he would get his grandfather's inheritance, and she would get the money and a divorce. Six months in a golden cage.

She had sold herself to save her family. But what had she bought?

That night, Elena sat on the cold marble floor of the penthouse and cried. She was only 22, and tomorrow she would become the forced wife of a billionaire who hated her.

And inside his room, Alexander Sterling stood by the window, watching the city lights. He told himself he felt nothing. It was just business. But for some reason, he could not get the image of her tear-filled eyes out of his mind. He felt a strange guilt in his chest for the first time in years. Tomorrow she would be his wife, and he had already made her cry on the first night.

Elena knew her life would never be the same again after tomorrow. She was scared, but for her father, she was ready to sacrifice everything.