The Billionaire’s Contract Marriage

Chapter 2: Grace’s POV

Two days later, I found myself in the maternity ward, listening intently to Dr. Margaret Bricks' instructions and lengthy explanation. I jotted down some details and quickly returned the notes to my handbag.

"That will be all for now. The baby is in good condition. Take care of yourself," Dr. Bricks concluded.

"Thank you, doctor," I hurriedly expressed my gratitude.

In high spirits, I put the folic acid and prenatal iron supplements into my bag and happily walked out of the office down the hallway. However, I encountered Arthur and Bianca walking in my direction along the hospital lobby. Bianca linked arms with him, a beautiful smile on her face. Arthur noticed me first.

I saw the extreme displeasure in Arthur's cold gaze. I could only awkwardly force a smile and bravely approach them while my heart was racing.

"Hello, Mr. Stone. I just went to check my blood sugar level. I wasn't feeling too well. Don't worry, it won't affect my work," I explained, faking a smile.

Arthur stared at the direction I had just come from, his face growing cold. "Blood sugar test? But then, why are you coming from the maternity section of the hospital?"

I could sense he felt that I had intentionally shown up at the hospital and suspected I had planned to run into them. He probably thought I was playing some trick, perhaps feigning illness or pretending to be pregnant, using these cheap tactics to gain more benefits from him.

My face froze with an awkward smile, then I quickly understood his insinuation.

"What's so strange about it? This section is specifically for women's health. As a woman, it's normal for me to come here for a checkup." The fast beating of my heart was ringing in my ears.

Arthur, finding my explanation reasonable and not making any additional demands, gradually lost his suspicion. He probably thought I was really just there for a medical checkup. Only Bianca couldn't help but turn around, observing my retreating figure with a complex expression.

I remained oblivious to Bianca's gaze, rushing out of the hospital. Just thinking about being caught, I felt extremely nervous.

As soon as I got home, I moved to my room, and in the bathroom, I quickly poured out all the folic acid from the box. I tore the empty box and instructions on paper into pieces and flushed them down the toilet. I then transferred the folic acid tablets into a vitamin bottle.

The door immediately swung open, sending a cold shiver down my spine as I quickly turned to behold the intimidating figure of Arthur.

"What are you doing?" Arthur's cold voice made me shudder, and the tablets scattered all over the floor.

"I… I'm taking vitamins."

I forced myself to maintain my composure, giving what I thought was a firm response while holding up the vitamin bottle.

Arthur, looking at the vitamin bottle in my hand, began to grow suspicious, his gaze intensifying. I knew vitamins were not prescription medications.

People could easily buy them at a regular pharmacy shop. He probably became more convinced I was just trying to be pitiful to gain benefits. I could almost hear the mocking laugh in his mind.

"Three months left. Behave yourself, and I won't deduct a penny. Just don't cause trouble for me."

With those words, Arthur left my room without a hint of nostalgia. I felt a deep pain in my heart but didn't have time to dwell on it. I quickly closed the door, picked up the scattered tablets, and put them away. This was the only thing I could do for now.

Very early the next morning, I received a message from the butler, Mr. Lin, that Arthur wanted me to dress up and join him for dinner at the Greenview Hotel in the evening.

I was shocked upon hearing this news. I was utterly taken aback. Since Arthur had revealed everything to me six months ago and ceased pretending to love me, we had never shared a meal.

Although I found it strange, I still changed into appropriate attire and applied light makeup before heading to the rendezvous.

In the luxurious private room at the Greenview Hotel, I sat at one side of the long table, observing Arthur by the side. He wore a clean and sharp dark suit, his gaze cold and demeanor aloof.

"Why did you suddenly ask me out for dinner?" I asked casually. It seemed odd to me, as Arthur would be wary of being seen by Bianca, so I couldn't fathom why he invited me to dinner.

Arthur gestured for the waiter to serve the dishes, then calmly replied, "I had something on the day of your birthday and couldn't offer it to you at the time. Today, I'm compensating you. Even though our marriage is just a deal, as your nominal husband, I'll do what's expected. I'll provide you with what you deserve."

Hearing this, I forced a bitter smile. I knew Arthur would always be like this. Even if he had a thousand reasons not to have dinner with me, he would do it anyway, playing the role of a tender and doting husband. However, I knew I could never be the one he truly loved. His heart belonged to another.

I was merely a substitute for Bianca, and now that Bianca had returned, I soon wouldn't even qualify for that. Those thoughts left an indescribable bitterness in my heart. The waiter brought in the food, and a greasy smell invaded my nostrils. Instantly, my stomach churned, and a desire to vomit surged.

"I need to use the restroom!"

I covered my mouth and nose and quickly fled from the table, rushing into the restroom.

In the restroom, facing the toilet, I strained to suppress the urge to make any sound. I dry-heaved a few times silently, my face turning red as I crouched by the toilet. Simultaneously, I grabbed a pre-prepared box of sour plums from my bag and started shoving them into my mouth. I ate more than ten sour plums, managing to quell the nauseating sensation.

The restroom door swung open at that moment, revealing Arthur's tall figure. He looked down at me with a wrinkled brow.

"Are you okay? What are you doing?"

Startled, I instinctively pushed the box of sour plums further into my bag and quickly pulled out a lipstick, responding calmly, "I dropped my lipstick behind the toilet. It took me a while to retrieve it."

I stood up as if nothing had happened and walked out of the restroom. Arthur squinted his dark, profound eyes, staring at me. I could tell he couldn't understand why I had taken such a vibrant shade of lipstick with me when I had barely any makeup on.

I returned to the table, staring at the array of dishes laid out before me, feeling absolutely no appetite. I even started to feel a bit nauseous again.

"No, this won't do. I need to figure out something," I whispered in my mind.

Just then, the waiter returned, standing beside me to arrange the cutlery. With a slight raise of my eyebrow, I made some subtle movements with my hand under the table.

The next moment, as the waiter turned away, a series of clatters sounded. The tablecloth was inexplicably pulled, causing the utensils in front of me and the nearby dishes to spill over the floor.

The waiter turned in terror, realizing that his coat button had caught the edge of the tablecloth thread.

"Sorry, sorry!"

A group of waiters rushed over, frantically trying to clean up the mess.

"Forget it. I've lost my appetite. Let's go," I stood up, feigning an unhappy expression, grabbing my bag and heading out. The manager rushed over, apologizing incessantly to Arthur. Arthur's gaze remained cold as he waved his hand, following me out. The fresh air outside eased my discomfort a little.

"Let's check another hotel," Arthur asked behind me.

"No need. I appreciate your gesture, but just take me home. I still think the food I cook is better." I refused him without flinching. This was my first time refusing him.

Arthur's deep, dark eyes studied my face for a moment. "Fine, let's go. I'll drive you back."

In the car, I immediately sensed something was off. The seat had been adjusted. Over three years, I had been in his car countless times, and the seat had always been adjusted to my most comfortable position. But now, this seat made me extremely uncomfortable.

I knew Bianca had been behind it.

Then, my gaze fell to a corner inside the car. I found a long strand of hair. My hair wasn't that long. Noticing this detail, my already low spirit plummeted even further.

Arthur was meticulous about cleanliness, borderline having a mild case of cleanliness obsession. The car was always impeccably clean. Yet here, he seemed to tolerate an overlooked long strand of hair.

In the past, if my hair happened to fall in the car, Arthur would insist on cleaning it up before getting in.

Things seemed to have changed now.