The Ex-Wife's Comeback!

Chapter 3

CARA

My eyes flew open, and as I looked around, I realized it was already dark. Had I slept until evening?

I rubbed my eyes and reopened them, only to see the man standing in front of me. I stared at him, unsure of what to say or do.

"I specifically asked you to leave my house before I left. Don't you get that?" he demanded. I said nothing, instead, I climbed down from the bed and stood in front of him.

"Look, young lady, I'm not the kind of man who takes pleasure in molesting young women, nor am I a savior of the universe. Don't make me angry; just quietly leave," he said in one breath. I felt my eyes watering.

"I have nowhere else to go," I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Even my ex-husband doesn't want me. Why would I expect more from a total stranger?"

His stern expression faltered for a moment, then hardened again.

"That's not my problem," he replied, though his voice had lost some of its edge.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back. The sight of my tears seemed to affect him again, and he dipped his hand into his pocket, bringing out a handkerchief, which he handed to me. I slowly took it and wiped my eyes.

"Sir, I know my problem doesn't concern you, but please hear me out,” I stated, and he gave me a look that signaled I should continue.

“I am homeless, Sir, and yes, in a moment of weakness, I considered taking my own life, but I reconsidered when you almost ran me over,” I explained. His face remained impassive.

“So?” he asked.

“I know we just met, Sir, but I am in dire need of your help, and I am willing to work tirelessly if you assist me,” I said.

“I don't need a worker, young lady, and I wouldn't just let anyone into my home,” he stated firmly. I immediately fell to my knees, my hands clasped together.

“Please, Sir, I beg you with everything you hold dear,” I pleaded. He sighed deeply, then spoke.

“I might consider helping you if you worked for me, but you are just too young for it,” he said. My eyes widened in anticipation. At that moment, I did not care what kind of job it was; I just wanted stability.

“Anything, Sir, please, I’ll do anything,” I said, hoping fervently that he wasn't one of those men who would take advantage of someone desperate.

He stared at me, calculating, conflicted. A part of him was clearly intrigued. Then he shook his head. “No, you can’t. You wouldn’t be able to,” he stated.

“Please sir, you can’t just dismiss me without telling me what the job is about,” I said, desperate. He sighed.

"A contract wife. I was drunk the other day because I lost a deal. Now, the ongoing deal I have cannot be processed without me having a wife," he said. I nodded, still trying to understand.

"The problem is that I have no woman in my life." My eyes widened in disbelief.

"But why don’t you have a woman in your life?" I asked.

"Asking questions isn’t part of your job," he replied. I smiled dryly, folding my palms together in apology.

I stood up. "Do I get paid for becoming your contract wife?" I asked. He nodded, and I didn’t ask for the amount—I knew someone like him was more than capable of providing.

I wasn’t doing this just for money. I recalled my last words to Jayden, and I intended to take them seriously.

"Consider me your contract wife, Sir," I giggled with a slight bow, but he just watched me.

"There’s a problem, young lady," he said.

I furrowed my brow but remained silent.

"Are you ready to be spoiled? I don't treat my women the way others do," he said.

What did he mean by that?

"I'm Cara Hudson, and I'm prepared to accept everything that comes with being your contract wife," I declared, extending my hand for a handshake. Only this man could help me achieve all that.

"I promise to spoil you beyond your wildest dreams, Cara. You'll see the beauty of becoming Nicklaus Salvatore's wife," he said. I smiled; these were the sweetest words I'd heard in a long time.

We shook hands, but he didn’t reciprocate. Instead, he broke the handshake and turned to leave. He stopped at the door and glanced back.

"I am attending a ball tonight. You're coming along, Cara," he said. I shook my head quickly.

"But I have nothing to wear," I retorted.

"Don't fret, the stylist will be here soon. You just need to look pretty, oh, but you're already pretty," he said, and I blushed heavily.

He made to leave, but I stopped him.

"You haven't heard my own conditions, sir," I said, and he halted.

"What?"

"Help me divorce my husband," I said, knowing my mum couldn't help financially, but he could.

"On what grounds?"

"I caught him cheating on me. I can only be your contract wife if I’m not married to someone else," I responded, and he nodded.

"I see. I'll talk to my lawyers, and the divorce papers will be ready once you've filled in the necessary details," he said before finally walking out.

With a sigh, I collapsed onto the bed.

I had just agreed to become a stranger’s wife.

By tomorrow night, the world would see me on his arm at a ball.

And there would be no turning back.