The Billionaire’s Contract Marriage

Chapter 3: A Present

"I got you something," Arthur interrupted my thoughts. He placed an exquisite box in front of me, beaming a smile.

I was caught in shock; I was dumbfounded.

"Birthday present," Arthur explained.

"Oh, god! Thank you," I appreciated him, opening it to find a glittering bracelet. I didn't know much about jewelry, but I did appreciate the beauty of it.

However, I didn't want to accept it. Over the past three years, Arthur had given me many things, and I had politely declined each one. The few I couldn't refuse were neatly kept in my room's cabinet, never used.

But now, when I thought about the next four months, about raising my child alone and the additional expenses, I felt it might be good to have some extra assets.

'Maybe I can consider it as a support payment from the father,' I thought.

Thinking of this, I didn't hesitate. I closed the box and put it in my bag.

I noticed Arthur observing my actions with a dark, disdainful look in his eyes. It was as if all my previous refusals of expensive gifts were just an act. With only four months left, he probably thought I was trying to take what I could get before it was too late.

After Arthur dropped me off at home, I felt exhausted and fell asleep the moment I lay down in my room.

The following day, I was rudely awakened by a series of knocks at the door before I was fully awake. I felt a sudden burst of anger. I had been planning to sleep, and now, someone was disturbing me. Annoyed, I got up without bothering to put on shoes and stormed to the door, swinging it open. To my surprise, I found Bianca standing there.

Bianca was dressed in a white tracksuit, hair pulled up high, her face completely makeup-free, revealing smooth skin and lovely features. On the other hand, I had just woken up with my messy hair, loose pajamas, bare feet, and possibly sleep in my eyes.

"Why haven't you gotten up yet?" Bianca queried.

"Why are you here?" I shot back, both of us asking a question almost simultaneously.

Bianca frowned, examining me. "I think Arthur's standards for staff are too low. It's almost noon, and you haven't even gotten up yet, not to mention cooking."

"I'm off today. Don't disturb my sleep. Arthur is barely home during the day. Go find him at the office," I impatiently responded, slamming the door shut.

I turned back to my bed but couldn't fall asleep again. Seconds later, I heard the door being opened.

"I said I'm off today," I grumbled, turning to sit up, only to see Arthur at the door. I froze.

"Get up and make breakfast for Bianca," he ordered, a command that made me feel utterly aggrieved.

"Have the house staff do it," I protested.

But at that moment, Bianca, who was behind Arthur, questioned, "Aren't you the house staff?"

"I…"

Under Arthur's chilling gaze, I couldn't bring myself to complete the statement; to inform her I wasn't the staff. I was Arthur's wife. I encouraged myself to endure it now; for just four months before it could all end.

"Bianca just moved in this morning and hasn't had breakfast. Her stomach isn't well, and your cooking is light, probably more to her taste. Hurry, it's almost noon," Arthur said, suddenly awakening me completely.

"She moved in? She's staying here?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yes," Arthur answered firmly.

Hearing his response, I went dumbfounded, clenching my teeth.

At that moment, the butler, Lin, came in. Bowing slightly, he kindly tried to defuse the situation. "Mr. Stones, I was out running errands this morning, just got back, and I'd forgotten Ms. Brooks. My apologies. I'll go prepare breakfast for Ms. Brooks now." With that said, he turned and headed to the kitchen.

"It's okay, don't bother." Bianca suddenly spoke up, stopping Lin in his tracks. "I just moved in and don't want to cause any trouble. I've been living alone overseas, so, I can cook for myself. I asked her to help earlier because I had just finished exercising and wanted to take a shower. I'm really sorry." She wore an apologetic look, pulled Lin back, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Seeing that Arthur didn't intervene, Lin excused himself, busy with his tasks, leaving Arthur and me alone in the room.

"Remember who you are," Arthur's dark eyes bore into me, his voice coldly reminding me.

I took a deep breath, biting my lip as I countered, "When is she moving out?"

"In four months," he said.

I remained silent upon hearing that. I hadn't expected to have to live under the same roof with Bianca for four months. I felt like Arthur was intentionally making trouble for me. But I had no other choice. I had to endure it after all.

"If you reveal your identity, or…" Arthur continued to remind me, noticing my silence.

"I know!" I cut him off, suppressing the bitterness in my heart. "I'll hold on until the very last day for that money."

"That's for the best," Arthur said before turning around and leaving my room without looking back.

I got up, my thoughts in disarray, and went downstairs. In the dining room, I saw Bianca eating while flipping through something.

Initially uninterested, I inexplicably walked closer, only to realize that Bianca was looking at bridal magazines. My heart felt like it shattered into pieces in an instant.

"You're up? I made some snacks. There's a bit too much. Have some." Bianca generously invited me for a meal, then resumed looking through the magazine as if nothing had happened earlier.

I felt emotionally complex, standing there motionless. Bianca was beautiful, gracious, not pretentious, and from the noble Brooks family.

Considering how perfect Bianca seemed, I could understand why Arthur liked her. Bianca and Arthur indeed seemed like an ideal match. Thinking about it, an unnamed sense of inferiority washed over me.

"No need to feel awkward. I'm not one to hold a grudge." Bianca looked up and gave me a slight smile.

"Thank you."

I sat down a bit awkwardly, suddenly feeling superfluous. I couldn't shake off the feeling that Bianca was Arthur's true wife. Yet, unnoticed by anyone, there was a trace of unseen darkness in the corner of Bianca's eye.