Contracted by the billionaire

chapter 15

Roman's Pov

She looked up. “The last account cleared today. Margaret’s trial starts next month. We don’t have to attend.”

“Good,” I said. “We focus forward. Our lawyers finished the marriage paperwork this morning. Simple ceremony next week if you want.”

Vivienne smiled. “Yes. Just us, Delia, Carter, Nathaniel, and your mother. No big show.”

I crossed the room and pulled her up from the chair. “No show. Just us.” My kiss came steady, possessive like always. She met me fully, hands on my shoulders. The slow burn we started months ago felt solid now. Every day with her proved the contract had been right from the beginning.

Carter knocked once and entered. “Dinner reservations confirmed. Delia’s already picking her dress for the wedding. She’s excited.”

“Tell her to keep it small,” Vivienne said, still close to me.

Carter grinned. “Too late. She’s planning flowers. But nothing flashy.”

We left the office together. Security stayed discreet around us now. The city felt normal again. At the restaurant, Delia and Carter waited with Nathaniel. Diana joined later, polite to Vivienne.

“You’ve handled the estate transition cleanly,” Diana told her. “The family approves.”

Vivienne nodded. “Thank you. I won’t let it fall apart.”

Dinner stayed easy. Nathaniel spoke to Vivienne directly about one property. “It should go to charity. Your grandmother would like that.”

“I agree,” she said. “I’ll set it up.”

I watched her across the table. Sharp but warmer now. She had stopped shrinking completely. My decision on her had been final. No wavering. After dinner we drove home. The penthouse lights welcomed us.

Inside, I locked the door and turned to her. “Come here.” We reached for each other without words. Clothes came off in the hallway. My hands mapped her skin possessively. She touched me back with the same need. We made it to the bedroom, slow and intense. I took my time, reading every response like I always did. She gave everything, empowered and open. Afterward we lay facing each other.

“You still think about the first life?” I asked.

“Less now,” she said. “You made this one better. I woke up alone with fear before. Now I wake up with you.”

I pulled her closer. “That’s how it stays. My wife. My partner. No contracts needed anymore, but we honor the original one.”

She traced my jaw. “I like hearing you say wife.”

We talked about plans. Honeymoon in a quiet place. How to merge the businesses. She had ideas on the Ashworth holdings that improved my own deals. I listened. Her input mattered. Always would.

The next morning I woke first. Vivienne slept peacefully. I made coffee and checked messages. Iris reported Clarissa had accepted a plea. No jail but heavy restrictions. Margaret’s case moved forward without delays. Loose ends tied.

Vivienne joined me in the kitchen. “Any problems?”

“None that touch us,” I said. I handed her the cup. “Wedding in six days. Carter’s handling details with Delia.”

She laughed softly. “They’re good together. Like us.”

We went to Steele Tower. Meetings ran smooth with her beside me. One partner asked about the Ashworth merger. I let her answer. She did it clearly, no hesitation. My team respected her. I felt the possessive pride stronger than ever.

Lunch was quick at my desk. “After the wedding, we take time off,” I told her. “Just us. No calls.”

“I want that,” she replied. “Real life starting.”

Delia stopped by in the afternoon with fabric samples. “For the dress. Simple like you wanted.”

Vivienne chose one fast. “This. No drama.”

I watched them from my chair. Her quiet sharpness mixed with new lightness. The woman who came back from death had claimed everything. I made sure of it.

Evening brought a short walk outside. Security followed at distance. Vivienne held my hand. “No one watching us anymore. Feels free.”

I squeezed. “It is. I protect it.”

Back home we cooked together. Simple pasta. No staff tonight. We ate on the couch and reviewed honeymoon spots. She picked one by the water. I agreed. Her choices aligned with mine often now.

Later in bed I held her. “Tell me something from your memories I haven’t heard.”

She shared a small detail about our fathers’ original meeting. It fit the documents perfectly. “See?” she said. “All real.”

“I never doubted after the hearing,” I told her. My arms wrapped tighter. We moved together again, slow and deep. Possessive kisses, steady rhythm. She whispered my name. I showed her without words how decided I was. After, sleep came easy with her against my chest.

Three days before the wedding, Nathaniel visited alone. “I’m proud of you, Vivienne. The way you fought.”

She hugged him briefly. “We both get to move on now.”

He left satisfied. Diana called to confirm attendance. Everything lined up.

The night before the ceremony, Delia and Carter took Vivienne out briefly for something traditional. I waited at the penthouse. When she returned, I pulled her straight to me. “Missed you for two hours.”

She smiled. “It’s the last night before everything’s official.”

We didn’t sleep much. Touches and talks filled the hours. “You’re my second chance too,” I said. “I didn’t know I needed one until you stopped hiding.”

Morning of the wedding arrived clear. Carter helped with my suit. “Never seen you this settled, brother.”

“Because it’s right,” I said.

At the small venue, family waited. Vivienne walked in simple and beautiful. No long aisle. Just us facing the officiant. Vows stayed short. I spoke first. “I choose you. Contract or not. For life. I don’t waver.”

She answered steady. “I came back for truth and justice. I stay for you. My partner. My husband.”

Rings exchanged. Kiss sealed it. Delia cheered. Carter clapped. Nathaniel and Diana looked on with approval.

Reception was lunch at the penthouse. Laughter and toasts. Simple. Perfect.

Later, alone in our room, I held my wife. “Mrs. Steele.”

She touched my face. “Mr. Ashworth-Steele if we merge names. Whatever. Just us.”

I watched her sleep that night. The woman who changed my world, she's Mine completely.