His Contract Wife: Her Billionaire's Revenge

HAZEL The morning sun peeked through the curtains, accompanied by a glimmer of hope that clawed at my chest. I had barely slept, my heart danced to the rhythm of Ethan’s promise from the previous afternoon. Today, our families would meet to finalize everything. I had waited for this moment for years, endured humiliation, held onto hope even in the most troubling situations, believing my pain would soon become water under the bridge. And yes, finally, freedom was knocking. I hurried through my bath, slid into a soft blue gown, the one Ethan once said made me look like a rose in bloom-- subtle but graceful. As I descended the stairs, voices echoed from the dining just as anticipation bubbled within me. My mother's laughter filled the whole house and my father's husky voice wasn't unheard. Suddenly I felt restless, a small lump formed in my throat, anxiety built beneath my skin. I didn't know if it was a result of my excitement or the unexpected reaction from my parents. "...We're grateful for the understanding, Mr. Oliver, " I overheard my father's voice from downstairs, calm but formal. "It was unexpected, but in the end we believe she's the better option." My breath hitched immediately, as I heard a soft chuckle from a different voice. What were they talking about? I was expecting everything from my parents, except them being excited about me getting married, not after they had specifically told me that I didn't deserve to be happy. Why did they now seem eager and excited? “And now we toast to a new family and companionship,” I heard my father's voice again, and the sound of glasses clinking followed. My heart skipped a beat, as I tried to picture what could be happening. Before I knew it, I leaned my body further and I was left with no choice but to confront what met with me. Immediately I stepped in, my mind faltered from the sight which welcomed me. No! My heart slammed against my ribs, and a dull ache throbbed behind my eyes. Every gaze in the room was a blade, slicing through what little dignity I had left. I felt the sharp stab of betrayal in my chest, real as if it tore my delicate flesh without holding back. My heartbeat quickened as I took in a shuddering inhale and painful exhale. My parents were setting up a marriage arrangement between my sister and Ethan, my long time lover and the man I was supposed to get married to. To worsen it, his arms enfolded passionately around her shoulder while his family and mine finalized their wedding plan. But all I could do was stare helplessly, while I watched Ethan, unconcerned about my feelings, grin ear to ear– someone else had taken over what I thought would be mine forever. Ethan had promised to rescue me from the slavery of my family. Just yesterday, he had told me we would get married soon and I would no longer have to experience my family's doleful acts. But now he was part of the scheme. I wanted to run but my legs won't let me go. They stiffened, as if they were glued to the spot. I sniffled, taking in the unpleasant smell of pain. Immediately they saw me, Mira chuckled loudly. Dad stared at me with menacingly cold eyes. Mom hissed and sent a stabbing glare as if she would throw up at the sight of me. Ethan? His eyes was cold and expressionless, staring at me like I was some stranger to him. While his parents never cared to throw a second glance at me. Tears gushed down my cheeks. My throat suddenly went dry, my body numbed and my palms were wet with sweat. Before I knew it, my phone slipped through my sweaty palm, landing on the floor with a loud thud. I watched helplessly as the phone shattered lifelessly on the floor. But beyond that, I honestly wished my life could end in that moment as well. “Are you still standing there staring at us?” Mom's cold voice slashed through my already fragile heart. “My friend get us more drinks and do away with the disgusting tears...get new wine glasses as well.” I blinked in confusion. My throat went dry from shock, anger and betrayal. But who cared? Not even my shadow because it had vanished. “I might be forced to land you a slap if I have to repeat it before you do as instructed and go bring more wine now!” Dad added, voice laden with no emotion and his glare made my breath hitched. "This is what's best, Hazel. You were never meant for that world, your sister deserves that spot," father's harsh voice slashed through me deeper. His words hurt but I swallowed them, mixing them with the lumps in my throat. Mira had always been the perfect daughter for them. Of the truth, my younger sister was beautiful, sexy and what every man wanted. She always had men chasing after her. But what they didn't know was, she was manipulative and greed-driven. Mira joined, her voice filled with mock sympathy as she leaned further into Ethan, a deliberate act to break me the more. “Mom, dad…please don't be too harsh on Hazel. It's not her fault, she's only a victim of circumstance,” she said with calculated mischief that made my blood run cold. Realizing I was still fixated to the spot while trying to hold the tears which would pool out of my eyes any moment soon, I gathered the remnant of my shattered self, letting the wave of their bitterness crash heavily on me. Then I proceeded to do as instructed before I earned myself a slap. As I approached the table, my gaze locked with Ethan and I saw something flash in his gaze. It was dark and unreadable, but I knew it wasn't regret, although it held something different from the usual affection it used to hold. He was no longer the man who would always drool over me and tell me how he couldn’t wait to start a family with me. No longer the man who would lock lips with me at the slightest opportunity. Our lips were only inches apart now but he only had a look of indifference on his face and the only apology I got from him was when he said: "It's what both families decided, Hazel. It's what's best." God! I loved this man. How did he change so fast? Why couldn't this be some crazy nightmare? There was no answer. My question only hit an unbreakable wall in my mind that made my throat clog. But in that moment, I felt something dissolve within me, making my pain quickly mould into something else– determination. Letting out a silent breath, I gathered the wine glasses and headed to the kitchen, while swearing beneath my breath. I swore. Ethan would live to regret this! Mira would wish we never crossed paths! And my parents. They would come crumbling under my feet! But first, I needed to sit in the mess. To accept whatever they did while allowing myself to feel the weight of the betrayal. But one thing was for sure. I would revenge