The Billionaire's Secret Wife

Chapter Three

*ARIA'S POV*

I shut the door and leaned against it, memories of everything that happened today came flooding back in an instant. Ivy was curled up on the couch, a book in her hand.

“You’re late,” she whispered, careful not to wake Leo who was lying beside her, his favourite Spider-Man blanket wrapped around him.

I slipped off my shoe and joined her. Ivy sat up, carefully making sure not to make a sound.

“So? How did it go?”

“I got the job.”

Her eyes lit up. “Are you serious?” But then she paused “You don’t look excited… why?”

“Yeah… I saw him.” I sank into the couch, my eyes drifting to Leo.

Silence fell. “How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“I can’t let this shake me. You know how hard I worked for this.”

“Did he recognize you?” The question I hoped she wont ask.

I shook my head slowly. “No,” I whispered. “I guess that night meant nothing to him.”

“And Leo?” she asked, her hand resting on him. My chest tightened

“I... I don’t know. But Rowan can’t find out. I have to stay invisible.”

Something was off the moment I stepped into the office. Paparazzi was outside flashing lights through their camera, I barely made it past them.

Security was tight. Phones rang nonstop. Everyone was on edge trying to manage the situation.

A tall woman in burgundy pantsuit strode towards me, phone pressed to her ear as she spoke, voice smooth but commanding. Her eyes locked eyes with mine.

She paused. “Are you the new assistant?”

“Yes.”

She smirked. “Welcome to a world where chaos never ends.” She vanished before I could reply, her words echoing in my ears like a warning bell.

What was going on? I hurried to my desk and saw Rowan pacing inside his office. He was on the phone, his brow furrowed, lips tight, voice rising. He dropped the call and his gaze drifted to me.

He mouthed, “You are late. Come in now.” his rage leaked into the room like smoke from a fire not yet seen.

Before I could think, my legs moved and I was before him, his schedule clutched in my arm. I hated how he made me tremble.

He stood by the window, sleeves rolled up, veins bulging out. For a second, I wanted to run my hands through it, feel his warmth and plant kisses on it.

Damn it, Aria. Focus. How can I, when he looks like that?

He slipped his phone into his pocket and reached for the half empty glass of whiskey on his desk.

“How much do you value this job?”

My heart thundered. “I… I’m not sure I understand, sir”

“Someone leaked photos of me this morning.” He paused. “Intimate photos. I already fired three people and I will fire more if I smell disloyalty.” His gaze pierced through me. My legs weakened.

My lips parted but I was too stunned to speak.

He rubbed his temple, turned to the window. “The media twisted it , now I’m a volatile and dangerous man.” His grip on the glass tightened.

He turned and pointed to his desk.“Fall of Montclair media,” he scoffed. “Where do they get these names?” I picked up the magazine and the headline screamed across the cover, blurry photos beneath.

I felt a knife pierce through my chest. Was it jealousy? Anger? Hatred?

“I’ve had my fair share of scandals but none shook me this much. This time… its different. His jaw twitched, his fist clenched . “Damien Holt, that bastard.” He whispered through gritted teeth.

My eyes widened. I overheard the tall woman from earlier say that name on the phone. I gasped. Montclair Media’s oldest rival, the one Rowan’s father ruined years ago.

“What…. what do we do now?” I asked

He finally looked at me, his blue eyes sparkled making my heart flutter. “Clear my schedule. Call an emergency meeting with PR and legal team in ten. Make sure everyone’s informed and seated before I walk in.”

“Got it.” I said dashing off. But as I left, I felt his loneliness. I wanted to hold him, whisper that everything would be fine, but to him, I was just an assistant. A fling he didn’t and might never remember.

I got to my desk, sent out mails and in exactly ten minutes, everyone was gathered in the meeting room.

Rowan sat at the head of the table like a lion before his pride. The room buzzed with arguments. His lawyers, managers, and Sophie Bennett - the sharp tongued PR strategist - spoke over each other, but her voice cut through, aimed straight at Rowan.

“If you don’t get this in control in twenty-four hours, we’ll lose Whitemore Group,” she snapped. “And Reeve Holdings will be next. Damien isn’t backing off. Investors are threatening to switch to his sides after that revenue report he released yesterday.” she threw up her hands, exasperated.

Rowan sank into his chair, one hand bracing his jaw. “So what do you suggest?” She leaned in, like she was about to whisper.

But her voice wasn’t made for whispers. I sat at the edge of the table, observing the whole thing.

“We need to act fast,” she said clasping her hands. “And what better way to fix this than…” she paused, took a deep breath. “A contract marriage”

The room went dead quiet. All eyes shifted from Rowan to her… then back to him.

“Excuse me?” His brow arched forming a frown.

“You need a story that shifts the narrative, sir.” she said. “Right now the public sees you as a reckless CEO with no regard for women. But if we flip that…” she turned the file on desk, then flashed a cocky smile.

“You become a loyal husband who was targeted for protecting his wife from the world.” She paused looked at everyone and continued. “Now the scandal becomes an invasion of privacy and voila, the public's sympathy is ours.”

Whispers grew again. “So how do we go about this?” Mr. Cole asked, his bald head making him stand out.

She cleared her throat, that smile not leaving her face. I could sense her plan was trouble. You need softness. she said flinging her hand open.“A woman who can play the role without drawing more attention.”

“You got anyone?” Rowan finally spoke, his brow raised.

“We already vetted a few profiles, but one stood out…” and her eyes landed on me. That smile - cocky, calculated. What is she up to?

Not thinking I blurted out. “No, I… I'm not.” I stammered, throat closing.

“You're perfect, she said cutting me off. No child, humble background, no scandal. You check all the boxes.”

I froze. My eyes widened, my throat dried up, I swallowed hard and shook my head

Rowan’s gaze shifted to me. He didn’t say a word, he stared deeply.

I heard my heartbeat pounding. My hands went cold, clutching each other under the desk. Then I felt it. The same pull from that night, thick in the air between us. I looked away. No, I cant think of him like this. I cant accept this, it wont end well. I’ll get exposed.

Sophie continued. “She’s new. No one would suspect a thing. And if you both agree, it will last a year. Just show up together at events and press conferences as the perfect couple and after that you get a silent divorce.”

And just like that, she was done scheming. For Gods sake, I came here to be an assistant - not a pawn.

Rowan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Leave us.”

Everyone left. Just him and I. The air thick, room suffocating. Heat gathered around my temple.

He stood slowly, and walked towards me. “Aria, what do you think about it?” His voice low, soft, too soft.

He said my name. Not Miss Vale. A chill ran down my spine. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“Uhmm… I'm sorry, I.. I can't.” I stuttered. My eyes darting around the room, avoiding his.

“Lets strike a deal,” he said smoothly. “I’ll pay triple your current salary. You’ll be protected and taken care of.” Something in his tone made me feel like I was walking straight into a trap.

I opened my mouth to say something but he cuts me off.

“Don’t say anything now. Go home, think about it. Give me your answer tomorrow.”He said, walking off and leaving me alone to my thoughts.

I slumped into the chair, a million thoughts flashed through.

How do I marry the father of my child… and never tell him? And when he finds out, what will be my fate?