THE BILLIONAIRE'S HOSTAGE BRIDE

The rain had been falling since sunset. It struck the tall windows of the Hart family mansion with relentless force, turning the gardens outside into a dark, blurry landscape. Every few minutes, thunder rolled across the sky, making the old mansion tremble. Elena Hart pushed open the front door and stepped inside. “I'm home.” Her voice echoed through the enormous hallway. Usually, someone would come running to take her coat. Her father would complain that she had stayed out too late, even though she was already twenty-four and perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Tonight, there was nothing. No footsteps. No greeting. Just silence. Elena slowly removed her wet coat and looked toward the staircase. “Dad?” No answer. She frowned. Her father had been acting strangely for the past few weeks. He had stopped answering her calls, spent long hours locked inside his study, and seemed to be constantly worried about something. Whenever she asked, he insisted everything was fine. She had stopped believing him. A faint light came from the dining room. Elena walked toward it. The moment she entered, she stopped. Richard Hart sat alone at the head of the dining table. His tie was loose, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his normally neat silver hair was disorganized. But it wasn't his appearance that frightened her. It was the documents covering the table. Bank statements. Legal notices. Debt agreements. Property seizure papers. Elena stared at them. “Dad?” Richard looked up. His eyes were red. “You're home.” “What happened?” “Nothing.” Elena almost laughed. “Nothing?” Richard quickly gathered some of the papers. “It's just business.” “What kind of business requires all these legal notices?” “You don't need to worry about it.” She walked closer. “Then why do you look terrified?” Richard froze. Elena had never seen her father look like that. He had always been a proud man. Even when their family business faced difficulties, Richard Hart had never allowed anyone to see him panic. But tonight, his hands were trembling. Elena reached for a document. Richard immediately grabbed it. “Don't.” She stared at him. “Dad.” “I said don't touch it.” His voice cracked. Elena slowly pulled her hand back. “Fine. Then tell me what's going on.” Richard looked away. “It's complicated.” “Make it simple.” Silence. Elena crossed her arms. “How much do we owe?” Richard said nothing. “How much?” He finally lowered his head. “Twelve million dollars.” Elena's heart stopped. “What?” “Twelve million.” She stared at him. “For what?” “The company.” “How?” Richard sighed. “I invested in a construction project.” “And it failed?” “Yes.” “You borrowed twelve million dollars?” “Not initially.” “Then how did it become twelve million?” “Interest. Penalties. Other losses.” Elena took a step backward. “Why didn't you tell me?” “I thought I could fix it.” “You should have told me.” “I was trying to protect you.” “You were protecting me by hiding twelve million dollars of debt?” Richard's face tightened. “I didn't want you dragged into this.” “But I'm already in it!” Her voice echoed through the room. Richard looked down. Elena's anger slowly faded when she saw the pain on his face. “What happens now?” “They gave me forty-eight hours.” “To pay twelve million?” He nodded. Elena let out a disbelieving breath. “Dad, even if we sell the mansion, the company, and everything else we own, we can't raise twelve million dollars in forty-eight hours.” “I know.” “Then what are we going to do?” Richard didn't answer. Elena narrowed her eyes. “There is another option.” He remained silent. “Dad.” “There is someone who can help.” “Who?” Richard hesitated. “Damian Cross.” The name made Elena pause. Everyone knew Damian Cross. He was one of the youngest billionaires in the country and the CEO of Cross International, an empire built through real estate, technology, finance, and investments. He was rarely seen at public events. He gave almost no interviews. And according to the newspapers, Damian Cross was ruthless. He didn't forgive business mistakes. He didn't tolerate betrayal. And he never lost a deal. Elena slowly sat down. “Why would he help us?” “He offered.” Her eyebrows rose. “Offered?” “Yes.” “What does he want?” Richard looked at her. “You.” Elena stared at him. “What?” “He wants you to marry him.” For several seconds, she thought her father was joking. Then she laughed. A nervous laugh. “That's not funny.” “I know.” “You're serious?” “Yes.” “You're telling me Damian Cross wants to marry me?” Richard nodded. “Why?” “I don't know.” “Does he even know me?” “He knows enough.” Elena shook her head. “This makes no sense.” “He will settle the debt.” “All twelve million?” “Yes.” “In exchange for marrying me?” “Yes.” Elena stood. “No.” Richard's eyes filled with desperation. “Elena.” “No. Absolutely not.” “He'll pay everything.” “I don't care.” “If I can't repay the debt, I'll lose the company.” “You should have thought about that before borrowing the money.” “I know.” His voice became quieter. “But there's more.” Elena stopped. “What?” Richard swallowed. “I used company assets as collateral.” Her eyes widened. “What does that mean?” “If the debt isn't paid, I could be charged with fraud.” Elena stared at him. “You could go to prison?” Richard nodded. The room suddenly felt unbearably cold. She looked at her father. The man who had raised her after her mother's death. The man who had sacrificed everything for her. Now he was facing prison because of a mistake he had tried desperately to hide. “What are the terms?” she asked quietly. Richard looked at her. “One year.” “One year?” “You marry Damian for one year. After that, the marriage ends.” “And the debt?” “Settled.” “No conditions?” Richard hesitated. “I don't know.” Before Elena could respond, headlights appeared through the windows. Several black cars were driving through the estate gates. Richard's face immediately lost its color. “Who is that?” “Damian.” Elena's heart pounded. “He came here?” “I didn't know he would.” The front doors opened. A tall man in a black suit entered with two bodyguards. He carried a black leather folder. He stopped in front of Richard. “Mr. Hart.” Richard stood. “Mr. Cole.” The man's eyes moved to Elena. “Miss Hart.” Elena folded her arms. “I'm guessing you're here about the contract.” “Yes.” “I haven't agreed to anything.” Mr. Cole placed the folder on the table. “You should read it first.” “I already know what it says.” “Then you know what happens if you refuse.” Elena's eyes hardened. “Are you threatening me?” “No.” He looked at Richard. “I'm explaining the consequences.” Elena turned toward her father. “Is eight million of the debt owed to Damian Cross?” Richard slowly nodded. She felt betrayed. “So he knew we couldn't pay.” Mr. Cole didn't answer. That was answer enough. Elena looked at the contract. She wanted to tear it apart. She wanted to walk away. But then she imagined her father being arrested. She imagined the mansion being taken. Everything her family had built disappearing. Her fingers slowly closed around the pen. “I'm doing this for my father.” Richard immediately shook his head. “You don't have to.” “Yes, I do.” “Elena—” “I won't let you go to prison.” She signed her name. Elena Hart. Mr. Cole took the contract. Elena looked directly at him. “Tell Damian Cross something.” He paused. “I may have signed his contract.” Her voice was firm despite the fear building inside her. “But he doesn't own me.” Mr. Cole studied her. “I'll deliver the message.” He turned and left. Elena stood silently. Her father approached her. “I'm sorry.” She looked at him. “I know.” Her phone suddenly rang. Unknown number. Richard's expression changed. “Don't answer.” Elena frowned. “Why?” The phone continued ringing. She accepted the call. “Hello?” Silence. Then a deep male voice came through. “Miss Hart.” Elena immediately knew who it was. Damian Cross. “You signed the contract.” It wasn't a question. “Yes.” “Good.” Elena tightened her grip on the phone. “Don't sound so pleased.” “I've been waiting for this moment.” Her stomach tightened. “Why me?” A pause. “Because your family owes me more than money.” Elena frowned. “What does that mean?” “You'll understand soon.” “I want an answer now.” “You'll have one tomorrow.” “What happens tomorrow?” “A car will pick you up at eight.” Elena's eyes widened. “Where are you taking me?” “Home.” “I already have a home.” Damian's voice became colder. “Not anymore.” The call ended. Elena slowly lowered the phone. Her father was staring at her. “What did he say?” Elena looked toward the rain-covered windows. “He said I don't have a home anymore.” Richard's face went pale. Elena noticed. And suddenly, she realized something. Her father knew more about Damian Cross than he had told her. Much more. She looked down at the contract she had just signed. She had believed she was sacrificing one year of her life to save her father. She didn't know that Damian Cross had been waiting for her long before tonight. And whatever reason he had for marrying her... It had nothing to do with twelve million dollars.