Love by Contract with the CEO

Chapter 2: An Explanation

Andrew's words to Faith were cold and empty. He only saw her through the eyes of the other woman, treating her as if they were in love.

Faith stood there, watching the scene unfold, her heart aching. She couldn’t understand why her husband was doing this to her, why he was with another woman, why he was treating her with such disdain after everything she’d done for him.

Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, failing to recognize the woman as someone she knew. Long ago, Faith and her father had ruined this woman, destroying her business and leaving her in utter despair. The woman had lost everything, including her parents, who had ended their lives in total financial ruin.

Faith’s heart was filled with pain and disappointment in the man who had meant everything to her.

“Who is that woman? Why do you treat her with such affection?” she asked, fearing the obvious answer.

“You have no right to question me. Leave. I never want to see you again. Disappear from our lives.”

Those words shattered all her hopes, like daggers piercing her chest. She felt like she couldn’t breathe, her strength waning, still weak from childbirth and its complications.

“It’s sad you don’t recognize me. But if Andrew doesn’t tell you the truth, I will. You deserve everything that’s happening to you. Now it’s you and your father who are ruined. Don’t you know that’s why he had a heart attack? That baby you had was to save me from going to jail, not Andrew. It was my crime, not his. That’s why you paid. That’s the only reason you got married. It was all planned. You’ll understand everything eventually,” the woman said, laughing at her.

With the little strength she had left, Faith grabbed the woman’s arm tightly, but the woman responded with a sharp slap. The sting on her cheek was intense, the taste of blood filling her mouth, igniting her anger. She tried to strike back, but Andrew stopped her, grabbing her forcefully and throwing her onto the cold, wet ground.

“Leave. I hope you understand everything now,” Andrew said with contempt, getting into his car with the woman.

Faith watched them drive away. The only thing she could do was cry, releasing the immense pain tormenting her. She still had so many questions, unable to comprehend what had happened. How could Andrew, one of her father's many business partners, plan all this without anyone else knowing?

Faith picked up her small suitcase and walked through the rain, which grew heavier, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was to stop feeling so much pain, to stop thinking she’d been a fool. Her heart refused to accept that everything she lived with Andrew was a lie.

Her sadness turned to agony, her remaining strength fading. She was weak and collapsed, but her strong arms caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground.

Her eyes met those of the man who, for the second time, saved her from a fall. His dark, imposing gaze instilled fear in her.

She fainted in the arms of Joshua Moore, a powerful, strong, and influential man in the city, known for his ruthless pursuit of what he wanted.

Joshua’s bodyguard and trusted man was confused, as Joshua never helped anyone. This was the first time he’d done something for someone else, even imprisoning his own brother for shady business deals and ousting his father from the company, taking control. For these and other reasons, he was known as the "son of the devil," believed to be heartless and cold.

“Where shall we take Miss Miller? What shall we do with her?” Robert asked.

“We’re going home.”

“But sir, Katherine just had her baby. She’s being discharged today.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. Drive to the house.”

Joshua saw her shivering with cold in the back of the car. He couldn’t help but feel some pity for her, covering her with his coat as she shivered from the cold.

They arrived at his grand mansion, with over fifty rooms and vast gardens, including its own park. It was the largest property in the country.

Joshua carried her to his room.

“Sir, they’re telling me Katherine is home. Shall I help take Miss Miller while you attend to her?”

“No, I’ll handle it myself. Call one of the maids and tell her to come to my room immediately,” he said with authority, taking her to his room.

He couldn't stop admiring Faith’s beauty. Despite being pale and having gained weight from the pregnancy, she’d always been one of the most desired women in the city. Her beautiful face, lovely curly brown hair, and unique silhouette, even post-pregnancy, were captivating, with deep blue eyes.

He laid her on his bed while the maid changed her clothes, dressing her in one of Joshua's shirts. He waited outside, and once the maid was done, he covered Faith with a blanket, standing by her side, waiting for her to wake up. He noticed her delicate scent, a fragrance he had only sensed once before with a woman he preferred not to remember.

Faith woke up, scared and disoriented, not knowing where she was, especially in the presence of a man whose name she didn’t even know.

“What am I doing here? Where am I?” she asked, distressed.

She looked down, terrified to see herself in a large silk shirt, wearing only her underwear underneath. Not knowing what had happened made her even more anxious.

Joshua explained that her clothes were wet, so one of the maids changed them to prevent her from getting sick.

“Miss Miller, I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve always admired your beauty and business acumen. That’s why I want to discuss something very important with you,” he stated.

She was taken aback, having no idea who he was. When she asked his name and heard it, she was even more shocked. Everyone knew the name of the devil, the man without a heart who showed no mercy. Why was he showing mercy to her?

“I’m sorry, Mr. Moore, but everyone knows about your life. Most importantly, everyone fears you. I don’t think we have anything in common to talk about,” she said sincerely. “I’m not worthy of speaking with a CEO like you.”

He told her it was good she knew who he was, but he also knew everything she was going through and needed something only she could give him.

“I want you, Miss Miller, to marry me…”