THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET WIFE

CHAPTER 1- “I Married a Stranger”. Amelia Rose Smith. “Here is the 100 million as agreed upon with Mr. Victor White for the marriage,” The strange man, my now husband’s apparent assistant declared, as he stretched his hand out which held a card. My gaze fell on the card, and I extended my own hand to collect it from him, my lips folded in. “Thank you,” The words escaped past my lips like a whisper, too beaten up by the activity of the past twenty-four hours to have any energy to react how I normally would. “Please extend my gratitude to Mr. White.” “Mr. White is in no need of your gratitude.” The man responded in a clipped tone, his tone gruff with an underlying warning that he too is not to be crossed. He is pretty intimidating if I say so myself, with the built body and towering figure. “You do remember the condition of the marriage, right?” He inquired, reminding me of the basis of this union. Suddenly, it yet again dawned on me that we are standing outside the city hall, after just officially getting our marriage certificate. My now husband, Victor White was there for the meeting—but he did not spare me a glance and neither did I. His apparent dislike towards me was expressed one too many times by the assistant he sends over to finalize the date and all, and I am too caught up with my own issues to care about him. He barely spoke any word to me, and the minute we got the wedding certificate he turned around and left me alone. It was only then did I allow myself to look at him, but I only saw his retreating back as he walked out with my copy of the certificate in my hand. The assistant and I headed out after him, and that was where we stopped, and he handed me the card with the agreed upon money, on one condition which has imprinted itself in my mind. “I will divorce him after three years,” I repeated the words, earning a nod from the assistant. “Mr. White has only agreed to this wedding because of his grandfather’s relationship with your late father, and Mr. White Senior’s wish for you to be his granddaughter in law.” The assistant went on to remind me, as if I have not heard of this enough times already. “You will however, not be in contact with Mr. White during these years, and neither with anyone of the White family—especially Mr. White senior. Mr. White will handle him so you do not need to worry.” I could only nod, grateful that he is handling that part so I do not have to bother about it. I already have enough on my plate as it is. “And that is pretty much it. Do you have any last questions or requests to Mr. White?” I could not tell whether he actually meant that question, or he was asking just so in case I do have a request, he will remind me that I have already agreed to not make any further request aside from the money I requested. It is so obvious what his boss, and he views me as. A money grubber, or to be blunter, a gold digger. Who else would ask for 100 million from a stranger husband in agreement to divorce after three years? You now share the same sentiment as they, don’t you? Too bad I do not regret it. Situations led me to where I am, and this is the only choice I have. Still, I shook my head earnestly. “No,” I breathed out, lifting my head to meet his gaze. “I have no other requests.” He nodded almost immediately, “Well then,” He fixed the buttons of his crisp black suit, “That will be it. I will see you at the divorce proceedings in three years,” He then added, in a not so hostile tone. “Mrs. White.” With one tip of his head in my direction, he turned around and walked away, disappearing in the same direction his boss did. I watched as he made his way over to the awaiting heavily tinted car, and then got into the passenger seat. Almost immediately, the car zoomed away, with the stranger I had just married away in it, never to set my eyes on him if ever, till after three years. A small sigh escaped my lips as I gripped the marriage certificate in my hand, along with the card, feeling a part of me slipping away having made a decision I never saw myself making until now. Blinking with newfound hope sparking in me, I hailed a cab and got in, giving him the direction of the one place that has been on my mind the entire day. We arrived at the state hospital not long after, and after paying the fee, I stepped out and made my way into the building. The familiar scent of sterilizers welcomed me, one that I had gotten too accustomed to over the past few weeks. Too many faces welcomed me as well, ranging from doctors, to nurses and patients along with their relatives. Some coming in, and some leaving. Getting on the elevator, I reached the designated floor, before making my way to the third door down the lane. The minute I pushed the door open, a familiar face perked up upon noticing my presence, getting on her feet almost instantly. She did not even allow me to fully step into the room, before she rushed over to take my arm and pulled me out, closing the door behind us so the sleeping patient won’t stand a chance of hearing what the conversation is about. “So? Did you marry him? Did you give you the money?” My mother’s enthusiastic voice was impossible to miss, almost as if the grin on her face is not too obvious already. I gave her a dead panned look. “Yes,” My voice was as dry as my expression. Lifting the marriage certificate for her to see, I raised the card as well. “He gave me the money, mom.” I breathed out. “100 million dollars.” I left out the divorce agreement part—because it is something we agreed to alone, a confidential part that no one shall know of. If possible her grin widened, no doubt at the prospect of getting money to spend on her lavish, fake lifestyle right where she stopped after our family went bankrupt—following my father’s death. “I knew you would get something from him,” She stated, “Your father did not speak much of the Whites, but I could tell they are rich from the little I know. You have no idea how excited I was when Mr. White Senior reached out and proposed a wedding between you and his grandson.” She then made a move to collect the card, “This is just the beginning for us, my dear. We shall regain our honor with this.” Just as she was about to collect the card, I lift it away from her reach, “Not so fast,” I started, giving her a stern look. “This is the first, and last time we…” I paused, then swallowed thickly, “…I would ask him for any money. Remember the only reason why I agreed to this in the first place as well.” This was her idea, I only agreed because I could get something out of it. My mother rolled her eyes, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “I get it, we will split it 50/50 and you can use your money to treat your grandmother.” Might I tip you that she is not so on board nor worried about my grandma, Nana’s sickness. After all, she was just a mother-in-law to her. She could not care less. But I do. For she is all I have. She is the mother, and father in one. And she is the only reason why I agreed to this ridiculous agreement in the first place. “70/30.” I stated, my tone firm. A frown marred her features. “60/40.” “70/30.” I repeated. “That is all I am willing to share.” She hesitated, torn between wanting to argue further and fearing if she does, I might end up offering her an even lower amount. Eventually, she caved in. “Fine.” She huffed out a breath. “Your brother and I will take the 30 million. Since that is all you are willing to offer,” She then added under her breath. “Ungrateful b***h. Why did I even bother giving birth to you in the first place?” I ignored the statement, having heard it one too many times I am used to it at this point. Sighing, I dropped my hands by the side. “I will transfer the money to you later, once I settle Nana’s hospital bills.” “You better make sure you do that,” She warned, “Else you won’t hear the last of me. You know very well what I am capable of.” Without so much as a second glance in Nana’s room direction, she turned around and walked away. The moment she was out of sight, I released a deep sigh and then made my way into the room again, closing the door behind me. Taking the chair by the bed, I placed the marriage certificate aside, as well as the card before taking her cold, pale hands in mine. “It will all be okay now, Nana,” My lips slanted upwards into a genuine smile, the first in months. “You will get surgery and get better.” A tear slid down my face, but I reached my hand out to wipe it almost immediately, reminding myself that the time to cry is over. Only good days will follow now hopefully. And as if I am on the road to luck, my phone suddenly begins to ring. Releasing Nana’s hand, I picked it up, only to see the name of my former boss that has been MIA for years’ name on the screen. With drawn in brows, I answered the call and brought the phone to my ears. “Hello. Miss Montague?” Her voice came almost immediately. “Hey, it’s me…”