Contract heart; The cold billionaire married me for a reason

~ARIA~ "Dad, please tell me you're joking." My voice broke. The words hung in the air. Dad stared at the debt documents on the table. He wouldn't even look at me. "It's not a joke, Aria,"he said quietly. "You're marrying Casian Ward next week." My throat tightened. "Casian what? The same Casian Ward of Ward Group of Companies?" "Yes... that Casian Ward." I laughed, but nothing was funny. "The rich man who buys companies just to destroy them? Dad, that guy is bad news... he's evil..." "Stop."He screamed in anger. "You think I want this? Your mom is sick. She needs surgery before the end of the month. The bills keep coming. We can't pay... Casian Ward offered help, and I had to say yes." My heart beat fast. "So I'm some kind of payment?" Before he could reply, Mom coughed from the stairs. She held the rail, looking pale and weak. "Aria,"she said softly, "don't shout. Your father's blood pressure..." "Mom, you should be in bed."I ran to her. She smiled weakly. "How can I stay in bed when you're both fighting?" I sat beside her. "Please tell him this is wrong. I can't marry someone I don't know, Mom. I have a boyfriend, and you both know Ethan." She touched my hair gently. "Your dad is trying to protect us, Aria. Maybe just... try?" "Mom, you're supporting Dad in selling me off?..." Dad's voice went quiet as he cut in from the back. "I'm asking you to save this family, Aria." My chest hurt. I stood up, looked from Mom to Dad, and saw that I couldn't win against them. I ran out crying. ---------- Later, my room was a mess. Clothes everywhere. My heart pounded as tears rolled down my cheeks. Ethan was supposed to call me. He said we'd find a way out of this together. But he didn't call. I stared at my phone until my eyes hurt. I think I'm done waiting. Maybe I could just stay at his place until I found a way out of this. I grabbed a few clothes, stuffed them into a mini bag, and snuck out. Walking to Ethan's place got harder with every step I took because of the rain, but I kept going. When I arrived, my hair was wet and my shoes muddy. I pressed the buzzer. Nothing. I remembered the key under the flower pot. I raised the flower pot and still found it there. I opened the door slowly. "Ethan?" Nobody answered. Music was playing. Then I heard the laughter of two people. My chest tightened. I walked toward the sound. Then I saw them. Ethan. Shirtless, with a wine glass in his hand. A girl wearing his shirt and resting on his chest. I forgot how to breathe. "Ethan." He froze. "Aria! What are you doing here?" The girl smirked. "So she's the one?" My eyes grew wet. "You said you'd call. You said we'd find a way out of this together." "Aria, let me explain..." "Explain what? That I'm stupid?" He reached for me. "Just listen..." "Don't touch me. I hope she was worth it."I lashed out in anger and dodged his touch. The girl rolled her eyes. "So dramatic." This is it. I turned and ran out as far as my feet could take me. ______________ Outside, the rain poured hard. My whole body was shaking. Then... bright lights flashed at me, so bright that I had to shield my face with my hands. A black car stopped inches away. "Are you trying to die?"a deep voice shouted from the car. I hit the car hood. "Are you trying to kill people?"I responded with the same energy. The driver got out. It'd be hard not to notice him. He was tall with broad shoulders and a sharp, cold face. "You walked into the road. If you want to die, pick a quiet place." "What is WRONG with you?" He looked at me coldly. "But you're standing, so you're welcome." I stood there, wet and angry. "Unbelievable." His eyes looked me over. "You're wet." "Thanks for noticing." "Maybe go home before causing another accident." "Maybe drive with your eyes open." Something changed in his eyes — almost like amusement. "Big mouth for someone who almost died." "Big ego for someone who almost killed me." He laughed quietly. "Fair enough." "Do you ever say sorry?"I asked, not sure what response to expect. "Depends. Do you ever look before crossing?" "You're impossible." He almost smiled. "Goodnight, Miss Impossible." He drove away. I watched as his car lights disappeared into the dark. "What a jerk,"I muttered. _____________ When I got home, it was already past midnight. Two strange cars sat in the driveway. What could that be for? I ran inside. "Dad... Dad?" He sat there, tired, on the couch. He looked up, pale. "Where were you? Your mother collapsed an hour ago." "What! Is she okay?" "She's stable. The doctor's upstairs... You shouldn't have left." Tears rolled down and burned my cheeks. "I'm sorry." The noise of a door creak made us both look back. A tall man walked into the sitting room, rain on his coat. The room went quiet and cold. Dad straightened. "Mr. Ward. I wasn't expecting you tonight." My brow lifted. It was HIM. The man from the road. He looked at me with cold eyes. "We've met."He said. Dad smiled nervously. "So you have." My stomach dropped. "You're Casian Ward?" His mouth curved — not a smile, a warning. "You're welcome for not running you over." My face grew hot. Out of all the men in the world... HIM. And why the hell was a rich man like him driving himself? The jerk I yelled at was the man I had to marry. And from his cold eyes, I knew something. This man wasn't here to save my family. He was here to take control.