The Billionaire’s Contract Marriage

Chapter 1: Shattered

I giggled on the big, soft bed in the Stones mansion's living room, traces of kisses barely visible on my neck. Turning to the man beside me, I tentatively ask, "Can you just stay with me here at least for tonight?"

Arthur Stones, busy adjusting his tie in front of the big, standing mirror, paused. He slowly lifts his face, then turns, his icy gaze landing on me.

"This will be over soon. Just four more months and this three-year engagement will be over. It's just a deal between us, remember?" he says, his voice cold.

His words sent a shiver down my spine, my heart stinging sharply. I understood it was all just a deal. Three years ago, my younger brother was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and required a huge amount of money for medical treatment. My parents forced me into a contract marriage with the billionaire Arthur Stones to help raise the money.

As signed in the contract, I just had to be his wife for three years, after which I'll be paid seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I was left with no choice but to accept the proposal for the sake of my brother's life.

I bit my lips in anguish, my hand curling into a fist beneath the blanket. I felt lost. My hidden hand slowly caresses my belly. I was pregnant with Arthur's child.

Today was supposed to be a special day for me as was my birthday. I wished my supposed husband had treated me differently, or better still, special. But the pain of his negligence made me falter.

I tightly grip the blanket, took a deep breath. "Arthur, I don't know if you've forgotten, today is my..."

Before I could complete my statement, Arthur raised a hand, cutting me short. "There's something I need to tell you. She's back."

The last two words filter into my ears like a hundred sharpened knives. My heart shakes. My mind went blank, a buzzing sound like a swarm of locusts lingering in my ears. I hadn't expected that woman to come back.

I needed no prophet to tell me who Arthur was referring to as 'she,' as I knew the lady too well.

The next day, as night gradually took over the city, I set up the table with dishes Arthur loved, watching the clock tick on the wall, one second after another. Soon, I heard a faint braking sound, my eyes brightening instinctively. The door swung open, revealing Arthur's huge figure.

"Brian..." Before I can complete my sentence, my eyes fall on another woman trailing behind Arthur like an obedient dog. Her eyes were gentle, her face delicate, dressed in a light pink knee-length dress and white boots, her long hair tied up, elegant and graceful, strikingly beautiful.

There was a slight resemblance between this woman and me. I immediately realize this is the woman Arthur loves. Another reality dawned on me.

I wasn't just a means to an end. I was a replacement. God!

Arthur stared at the woman with tenderness in his usually stern eyes, the same way he used to look at me years ago. Seeing this, I feel unbearable pain inside.

"Bianca, please, seat," he offers, pointing to one of the leather chairs in the living room. "I'll be right back. Let me go change." His loving gesture to the woman makes me so jealous. Arthur gently cups a kiss on the woman's forehead before going upstairs.

He walked past me without a word, treating me as if I was invisible. I shivered, my face paling, my heart beating fiercely in my chest, struggling for breath.

At that moment, Bianca scanned around with her beautiful eyes, finally settling on me.

"Hello, I'm Bianca Washington." She says, stretching a hand for a handshake.

I admired the name.

"I..." I was about to introduce myself too, but was interrupted.

"You're a maid here, right? Can you grind me a coffee, half-sugar?"

Oh god!

I didn’t expect to be mistaken for a maid and was quite shocked. I replied expressionlessly, "I'm sorry, we don't have coffee, and I'm not..."

"Let's go, sweetheart."

Arthur interrupted me, standing at the top of the stairs, gently saying to Bianca, "I'll have the assistant bring the coffee in a while."

"Okay," Bianca smiled contentedly, pleasure evident in her beautiful eyes. Then she looked at me and asks, "And who is this?"

She glanced at me in my home clothes, wearing an apron.

"Oh, don't worry about her. She's just a maid in the house," Arthur said indifferently and casually, then stared at me coldly. "Wear your work clothes next time."

Upon hearing this, my heart sank heavily, feeling as though I've fallen from the sky to the ground. I forced myself not to look at his retreating figure, quietly taking off my apron and pouring all the dishes on the table into the trash.

With my blood boiling beneath my skin, I watched through the window as they drove off into the night. As soon as they were out of sight, I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face.

I curled into a ball, my hands protectively cradling my belly. "What am I going to do?" I whispered to my unborn child, feeling more alone than ever.

……………………….

As I stood in the corner of the party, each envious word from the crowd felt like a knife stabbing my heart, causing unbearable pain. I had struggled to infiltrate the Brooks family's gathering just to see what connection existed between Arthur and Bianca.

Unexpectedly, I heard about their upcoming wedding in four months. In four months, Arthur had divorce me and marry Bianca. I hadn't expected Arthur to have found a remarriage partner so suddenly. My heart grows cold.

As the celebration continued around me, I felt a wave of nausea. Whether from the pregnancy or the shock, I was not sure. I stumbled towards the nearest exit, desperately needing fresh air. Just as I reached the door, I bumped into someone, causing me to lose my balance. Strong hands caught me before I could reach the floor.

"Are you alright, miss?" a deep, concerned voice asks.

I looked up to see a handsome man with kind eyes staring down at me. For a moment, I forgot where I was and why I was there.

"I... I'm fine," I stammered, regaining my composure. "Thank you."

He smiled, and I felt warmth I hadn't experienced in a long time. "I'm Michael," he introduced himself. "And you are?"

As I opened my mouth to respond, I caught sight of Arthur and Bianca over Michael's shoulder. They were laughing, lost in their own world. The pain returned, sharper than before.

"I'm sorry," I muttered to Michael. "I have to go."

I rushed past him, out into the cool night air, leaving behind the glittering party and the man whose kindness had momentarily made me forget my heartache.

As I stood there, alone in the darkness, I realize that my life is about to change dramatically. The question is, am I even ready for it?