Title: Married to the Billionaire Who Hates Me

Ella Moore had read the contents of the white envelope at least ten times, yet the words still refused to make sense. Her father’s medical diagnosis lay on top—heart failure, advanced stage—followed by a neatly typed notice from the bank. FINAL DEMAND: TWO MILLION DOLLARS. Her fingers tightened around the envelope as she sat in the silent elevator, watching the numbers climb. Each floor felt heavier than the last. She wasn’t sure what terrified her more—the debt or the man she was about to meet. Adrian Blackwood. The youngest billionaire in the city. A man whose name appeared in business headlines and whispered conversations alike. People said he built empires with one hand and destroyed lives with the other. Ella had never imagined she would step into his world, not like this. The elevator doors slid open. “Miss Moore,” the secretary said with a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Mr. Blackwood is ready to see you.” Ella nodded, smoothing her worn dress. It felt painfully out of place in the polished hallway lined with glass walls and modern art. She followed the secretary to the end of the corridor, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. The door opened silently. Adrian Blackwood stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his broad back turned to her. He was tall, impossibly so, dressed in a black suit that fit him like it had been stitched onto his body. The city lights below reflected against the glass, framing him like a king surveying his kingdom. “You’re late,” he said, his voice low and cold, without turning around. “I’m sorry,” Ella replied softly. “The traffic—” “Excuses waste time,” he interrupted. He turned then, and Ella’s breath caught. His features were sharp, sculpted, almost cruel in their perfection. Dark eyes assessed her with an intensity that made her feel exposed, as if he could see straight through her skin and into her fears. “Sit,” he ordered. She obeyed, lowering herself into the leather chair opposite his desk. It felt like a throne—one she didn’t belong on. Adrian walked toward her and placed a thick folder on the glass table between them. “Read,” he said. Ella hesitated before opening it. The first page stole the air from her lungs. MARRIAGE CONTRACT Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs. “This must be a mistake,” she said, pushing the file away. “I didn’t come here for this.” “There is no mistake,” Adrian replied calmly. “You expect me to marry you?” Her voice rose despite her attempt to stay composed. “We don’t even know each other.” “For one year,” he said. “After that, the marriage ends.” “This is insane,” Ella whispered, standing up abruptly. “I need help, not humiliation.” “Two million dollars,” Adrian said smoothly. She froze. “The money will be transferred to your account today,” he continued. “Enough to cover your father’s surgery, his medication, and his rehabilitation. Enough to erase every debt your family owes.” Her chest tightened painfully. “How do you know about my father?” “I know everything that concerns me,” he replied. “And you concern me now.” Ella clenched her fists. “Why me?” Adrian’s gaze hardened. “Because I need a wife. And you need money.” The words cut deep. They stripped her down to nothing more than a transaction. “There will be conditions,” he went on. “You will live with me. You will attend public events by my side. You will act like the perfect wife.” “And love?” Ella asked bitterly. He laughed softly, without humor. “Love is not part of the deal.” Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “What happens after one year?” she asked. “You walk away,” Adrian said. “With the money. With your freedom. And without my name.” “And if I refuse?” she asked quietly. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, suffocating. “Then your father’s treatment stops by the end of the week.” Her breath shattered. Her knees felt weak. She hated him. Hated his calm cruelty. Hated how easily he had trapped her. Slowly, with shaking hands, Ella picked up the pen. The ink bled onto the paper as she signed her name. When it was done, she felt hollow. Adrian took the contract and nodded once. “Effective immediately.” She looked up at him, tears finally spilling over. “I will never love you,” she said, her voice breaking. His lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “That’s fine,” he replied. “Because this marriage isn’t about love.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “It’s about control.” End of Chapter One