The Billionaire Behind The Mask

The Price of My Father's Life Elana's POV The first time my stepmother threatened to kill my father, she was smiling. “You have until tomorrow morning, Elara.” I stood and looked at her. She sat across from me in my father's study, perfectly dressed, one hand resting on the arm of his chair. My father lay unconscious behind her. Machines beeped beside his hospital bed. “What are you talking about?” I asked. Victoria smiled again. “You heard me.” I looked at my father. His face was pale, his breathing was shallow. Three months ago, he collapsed at a company meeting. The doctors called it a mysterious neurological condition. I called it suspicious. And Victoria called it unfortunate. Now she was using it against me. “What do you want?” She placed a document on the desk, pointed to it and said, “Your signature.” I was shocked, I didn't touch it, I couldn't. “What is it?” I asked. “A marriage agreement.” My chest started hitting hard. “With whom?” I asked. She leaned back and whispered. “Silas Sterling.” The name hit the room like a gunshot. Everyone knew Silas Sterling. Billionaire, CEO. And a business monster. The man newspapers called the Faceless Tyrant. Nobody knew what he looked like anymore. He had survived an accident three years ago. After that, he stopped appearing in public without a black mask covering most of his face. Rumors said he had been burned. Others said he had been disfigured. And some said the mask wasn't hiding scars. But it was hiding something worse. “I won't marry him.” I whispered back. Victoria's smile disappeared. “You don't have a choice.” “I said no.” She stood up from her seat. “You seem to forget something.” She walked to my father. I moved immediately. “Don't touch him.” I warned him. Victoria stopped beside his bed. “He is dying, Elara.” She muttered. The blood running in me stopped moving. “You said the doctors were treating him, didn't you?” “They are.” “Then why are you talking like he's already dead?” “Because treatment costs money.” I looked back at her face, she smiled. “The Vale accounts are frozen. Your father owes Sterling Corporation more than anyone realizes.” “That isn't possible.” “It is.” She picked up the contract. “Silas offered to clear the debt on conditions.” I shook my head. “Why would he?” “Because he wants something.” “What?” Victoria looked directly into my eyes, and whispered. “You.” My fingers curled into fists. But she continued. “Marry him, live in his house, and follow the terms of the agreement. In return, he pays your father's medical expenses.” “And if I refuse?” I asked. Victoria glanced at the machines beside my father. “Then I stop paying.” I felt something inside me break. “You wouldn't.” “I already have.” She walked to the door, and then she stopped. “Oh, and Elara?” I looked at her mouth. “You have until nine tomorrow morning.” And then the door closed. I stood beside my father's bed. For the first time in years, I cried. Not because I was afraid of marrying a stranger. But because I knew Victoria had won, or so she thought. I wiped my face. Then I looked at the contract, and I picked it up. If marrying Silas Sterling was the price of keeping my father alive—I would pay it. But I would not become Victoria's victim. And then I signed. The next morning, I walked into Vale Corporation wearing the only dress I still owned that looked expensive. It wasn't mine, everything I had once owned had slowly disappeared. My jewelry, credit cards, apartment and my car. Even my position at the company. Victoria had taken everything. Now she is f*****g selling me too! The conference room was full when I entered. My stepmother sat at the head of the table. And beside her sat Serena. My stepsister smiled when she saw me. “Well, the sacrificial lamb finally arrived.” She mocked. A few people laughed, but I ignored them. Victoria pushed another document to my face. “Sit.” She ordered. I remained standing. “You said this was a private agreement, didn't you” “It is.” “Then why is everyone here?” “Because your marriage affects the company.” Serena crossed her legs. “I can't believe Silas agreed to marry her.” I looked back at her. She smiled. “I mean, you're hardly his type.” I didn't answer. The doors opened, and everyone became silent. A man walked in. Tall, broad shoulders with a black suit and a black gloves. A black mask covering the upper half of his face. My heart continued to beat, non stop. Something about him felt wrong. Not dangerous, but familiar. His eyes moved across the room. And then they stopped at me. My chest tightened. That voice. I hadn't heard it in three years. But I remembered. A dark hotel room in Paris. A stranger beside me. His voice was whispering my name. I breathed in. No. Impossible. Silas walked to the table. “Miss Vale.” His voice was low. And my fingers went numb. It was him, or someone who sounded exactly like him. He stopped in front of me. His eyes looked directly into my eyes. “You're shaking.” He observed. “I am not.” I replied. “He laughed, you are.” Serena stood up. “Silas, it's good to see you.” He barely glanced at her. His attention still remained on me. “Sit,” Victoria ordered. I sat down. And Silas took the chair opposite me. A lawyer started opening the contract. “Marriage duration: one year.” I read the pages, and asked. “One year?” Silas nodded. “You will live at Sterling Mansion.” Damnit! I muttered, my whole body shaking. “Anything else?” I asked. “You will attend public events as my wife.” “Fine.” “You will not discuss the marriage outside the agreed terms.” “Fine.” “You will not leave the mansion without security.” “Why?” I asked. “Because people around me have a habit of disappearing.” I raised my head and looked at him. And for one second, I saw something behind the mask. I saw pain, and then it vanished. The lawyer continued. “You will not ask questions about Mr. Sterling's personal affairs.” That made me laugh, almost laughed. “Then why marry me?” Silas leaned back his chair, and whispered. “Because I need a wife.” His voice was still cold. Yet my heart was racing inside me. Because I remembered that voice. Three years ago, in Paris. A stranger, a single night. And a morning I had run from before he woke up. My hand moved to my stomach. Five years ago, I had given birth to Noah and Nora. The children I had raised alone. The children Silas knew nothing about. I forced myself to breathe. He couldn't be the man from Paris. No way, he couldn't. The lawyer placed a pen before me, and ordered. “Sign.” I picked it up. Then Silas whispered, “Look at me.” I did. His eyes locked onto mine. My heart slammed against my ribs. He tilted his head. “You look terrified.” “I've heard stories about you.” “Stories are usually wrong.” “Then tell me which ones are true.” “Not yet.” I signed. He signed after me. And the marriage was official. Victoria, seated a few feet away, smiled. And Serena looked furious. Silas stood, and said, “Pack your things.” I looked up and asked. “Now?” He nodded. “You're coming home with me.” My pulse jumped. Because there was something in the way he said home. Something that made one terrifying thought return. Paris, that voice, that night. And the stranger whose face I had never seen. As I stood, Silas stepped closer. His scent reached me, and my breathing slowed. It had the same scent. The same warmth and the same memory. He whispered so only I could hear. “You look familiar, little bird.” “Have we met in the dark before?”