Rejected Hearts

Chapter 2

April;

It's been three months since I moved in with Nick, my former boss. I had no idea why he wanted to pay me to marry him when he was rich and handsome and could get any woman he so desired.

Even if they don't marry him for love, they would for his social status and money.

The arrangement was known to just four of us, him, his personal assistant, his best friend, and me.

I was to stay in his home for the duration of the contract and I did so without complaint. The terms of the contract were much, but it wasn't something that was difficult to follow.

I had to not let anyone find out that our marriage was a sham, I had to escort him to every social event, I had to bear his surname and I had to act like his wife in front of everyone.

By the end of two years, our agreement will be rendered void.

When I got the guts to question him on why he had picked me out of so many others, he said it was because I had a low profile and was off the social radar. And no matter how many times I questioned him on why he married me, he never said anything.

Although he was arrogant and he spoke to me harshly, I decided to do it, for my mother. It would help her. It was weird at first, living with a man I knew nothing about in order to get paid.

If I had other options, I wouldn't have given in to his terms, alas, I had no choice.

It wasn't like I even had the slightest bit of chance to reject it. I was a high school dropout, with lots of loans and bills to pay, on top of that, my mother needed a huge amount of money to pay for her surgery.

The possibility of me getting a job after being fired was zero and even if I did find a job, there would be none that'd even pay a fraction of what he was offering. His offer was a means to an end and a new beginning for me.

I had signed the contract immediately in his office, after weighing my options.

My colleagues who spoke to me harshly and laughed at me were surprised when they heard I was getting married to him. They tried to act all kind to me, I knew they just wanted my Favour, as their boss' wife.

Even though I insisted on working as I didn't want to be just idle, he told me that he wouldn't have it as it was in the terms of the contract. He instead put me in charge of his family's foundation.

It was hard at first to wrap my head around the scenario and to fit into the role perfectly as I knew nothing about him. It felt like sharing a home with a stranger, but as time went by it got easier Nick also dedicated most of his time to making me feel free and comfortable around him and I got to know that beneath his icy walls, there was a caring man.

I was like a trophy wife that he showed off to the public, treated like a priceless jewel, pampered like an egg and soon, it became difficult not to fall in love with him. I had to convince myself several times that I was only a paid wife.

Very soon, I was unable to stop myself due to the too much love and affection he showered on me and I fell uncontrollably in love with him. I knew it was wrong as I might have to regret it one day, but I didn't care.

With The way he treated me, I began to believe that the feelings I had for him were mutual. He never made me doubt that and I was convinced that very soon I wouldn't just be a wife on paper anymore.

I smiled when I heard the shower stop, realizing that he would be out soon to join me on the bed sent butterflies tingling in my belly.

Although the terms of our contract forbade us from any physical intimacy, I didn't even know how it had happened, but we had gradually given in to the desires that probably arose from us spending so much time together.

The way he looked at me, his dark intense gaze filled with sinful promises that made my lower stomach tighten, sending sweet shivers down my spine.

As I thought of all those memories of us being together, I felt my wetness down there. I had come a long way from a poor typist to the rich wife of a handsome billionaire.

I bit down my bottom lips as I began to imagine what would happen when he got out.

Luckily for me, the bedroom door opened and Nick walked in. It's been three months but I still couldn't stop being amazed at the sight of his naked body.

I flashed him a smile. "Hey.." I drawled out in a sultry voice as I sat up slowly.

He walked towards me and leaned down to level gazes with me. His palm grazed my cheek, his thumb tracing my sensual lips.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting," He murmured, his warm breath fanning my skin, sending sweet sensations down my spine.

"Mmm," my grin widened.

His hands moved down to the back of my neck, holding me in place.

"I'm here now," he said huskily as he leaned closer, claiming my lips with his.

I took in his masculine scent, not wanting to just savor at the moment, I wanted more. I tried deepening the kiss, but he pulled away.

"Mm-mmm—-not yet, love."

I groaned. It's been a while since we last made love and I couldn't help but feel that something was wrong.

He pulled away and lay on the bed. I rolled towards him, wrapping my arms around him and laying my head on his chest.

He draped an arm around my stomach, unconsciously caressing my warm skin as my dress had ridden up.

We were silent for a while, with many thoughts running through my head. I knew something was wrong and I had a gnawing feeling that it wasn't good. I could hear his shallow breath and feel his heart beating.

I wondered if he was already asleep. I popped up my head, my eyes finding his.

"Is everything okay?" I sat up, staring at him for a while, my voice laced with concern.

He sighed heavily and sat up and I noticed that he was averting my gaze.

"You—look it's not you—," he began and I furrowed my brows.

"You can tell me, Nick," I urged.

"You really want to know?"

"I asked."

"The woman I truly love is back in town."

I felt the oxygen leave my body and it was when I felt saliva on my chin that I realized that my mouth had been open.

What does he mean by the woman he truly loves? It was hard to make sense of the words and I swallowed hard.

"What?"

"My true love. She's back."

He noticed the blank expression on my face and used his tongue to moisturize his lips.

"Her name is Vivian Castle. She's the daughter of Jandor Castle—"

He was still talking but I didn't hear, my mind was far away.

I knew the castles. They were a famous family. Very wealthy and influential. Of course, she was the kind of woman he would've with not a plain poor Jane like me. But what does he mean by his true love? Then why didn't he marry her? What was he planning? I still had over a year left with him as the contract stipulated.

From his tone, I dreaded what was coming next. I had no idea what he was driving at. He had already made me fall so badly in love with him.

"You want to see her?" I asked slowly, already dreading his answer as my heart raced.

"No—I need to see her."

"I don't need to explain anything to you, but what I'm saying is. She's the woman for me. She's the woman I want, always have and now that there's a chance, I wouldn't hesitate to take it."

It felt like I couldn't breathe anymore.

An eerie silence descended upon us and it was almost like I could hear my heart thudding.

I thought I meant something to him, only to be told now that I was just a replacement. I had been used to forgetting about someone else.

"It's been an amazing time with you. I am glad to have known you. I'm sure you've not forgotten that this is only a job. I paid you to act as my wife. Our marriage was never real."

Tears streamed down my face at his harsh words.

"You once asked me why I wanted a wife. I think it's fine to tell you now. My father's will stated that I had to be married in order for his shares to be transferred to me. It was either getting a wife or losing the company to my stepbrother. You were the only option as I urgently needed someone who was desperate and who wouldn't ask questions."

My heart shattered to pieces as my body shook with sobs. It was like I didn't know him.

"With Vivian's return, I have the chance to cut the lie and actually get myself a real wife."

His words were like daggers piercing through my heart. I couldn't believe that the man I thought shared the same feelings with me had only been using me until he could discard me due to the woman he truly loved.

He continued speaking, ignoring my tears streaked face.

"Don't worry about the money. I'll pay you everything I'm supposed to pay you for the other months you would've gotten paid. And an extra die breaking the contract. Another extra with the condition that you move far away from this city and never show yourself here again, ever."

As he spoke, I couldn't find the Nick I had fallen in love with, instead all I could see was a cold, ruthless businessman.

"You'll pay me to keep my mouth shut?" I asked in surprise, shaking my head.

"Yes, April. Is two billion dollars enough?"

I was heartbroken but upon hearing those words, my heart fell and a gasp escaped my lips.

"You—you," I bit down on my lips, holding back my words as a sudden need to hold back my pride engulfed me.

It wasn't really his fault. I knew the terms of the contract, I agreed to be his wife for the money. So it wasn't his fault that he thought I was only here for the money. He paid me to be with him, therefore he could pay for my feelings too. I broke the contract by falling for him that was my fault.

I stood up, a sad smile plastered on my face. "It's Alright. I'll leave tomorrow morning."

I couldn't bear to spend any more time in his presence. As I left the room, my heart broke at his silence, I was expecting some sort of response, but none came.