Billionaire's Contract Bride

CHAPTER 3

SCARLETT ADDISON

After a whole night of tossing and turning, I couldn't sleep. My father's news, more like his decree, still echoed in my mind. The man was more of an executioner than a father. Staring out the window at the stars, I wondered why I had to endure all of this. Why did things have to be this way? Every time I thought I was about to gain some freedom, the world seemed to trip me up again.

I got out of bed feeling completely drained, but there was no way I could stay here all day. I had to help with the chores around the mansion before breakfast so that the so-called perfect family could enjoy their meal at a nicely set table. I took a quick shower, knowing I couldn't be late. Then I quickly made my bed and changed into my simple clothes, ready to swap them out for my college attire later.

"You're up, my dear. It's still early. You could stay in bed," Barbara said as she entered the room. I gave her a half-smile.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep," I replied.

Barbara sighed deeply and approached me. "I found out yesterday, during dinner, about your father's decision," she said with sadness in her eyes. "I wanted to invite you to dinner with me, but your father forbade it."

Tears started to form in my eyes, but I knew I had to be strong. I had to face everything until I could finally live the life I dreamed of. "It was to be expected," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

"My little one," Barbara whispered, pulling me into a hug and guiding us to sit on the bed.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I cried into Barbara's lap, allowing myself to show my vulnerability only in front of her. She stroked my hair, just like she used to when I was a child until my sobs subsided.

"Scarlett, you can't let them see you like this," Barbara cautioned. "If one of your half-sisters sees you crying, they'll run straight to him, and—"

I cut her off, my voice thick with emotion. "My father sold me, Barbara. He made a good financial deal for the family, and he used the opportunity to get rid of me. He says I only bring him losses."

Barbara took a deep breath. I wiped away my tears. That horrible man didn’t deserve them.

"Your father must be influenced by your stepmother. I don’t believe he’d make a deal to get rid of you otherwise. If he wanted that, he wouldn’t have let you stay here all these years," Barbara said with disgust.

"Dad hates me. It doesn’t matter if my stepmother has a hand in this or not. He’s doing this willingly. He made that clear yesterday. He loves my half-sisters, but I’ll always be the unwanted daughter, the one he can’t wait to get rid of," I said, my voice dripping with disdain.

Barbara shook her head, disagreeing with my words. "Your father is blind, yes. He loves your stepmother and your sisters, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. He just blames you for something illogical," she replied.

I gave her a bitter smile. "Barbara, yesterday he was more interested in his papers than in listening to me. To him, even a piece of paper holds more value than I do in this house. I had to negotiate with Bella just to take her dog for a walk every day, so I could go to college, and I still worked with him to earn my meals. Don’t tell me he loves me. I’ve accepted it. I just didn’t expect to be forced into marriage so young, just because he wanted to get rid of me," I said.

Barbara remained quiet for a moment before speaking again. "I wish I could protect you from all of this, my princess, but I believe in your strength, Scarlett. You’ve endured your father’s cruelty for years. A grumpy man like the one you're marrying won’t break you. Remember, the strength to change your destiny is within you. Where’s the Scarlett who always faced her problems head-on? Are you going to let her disappear now?"

Her words struck a chord in my heart. Barbara was right. I had always faced challenges with a smile. I couldn’t let this unwanted marriage dim my light.

"You’re right, Barbara. I need to stay positive. I can’t let myself drown in sadness," I said, getting up and wiping away the tears that stubbornly continued to fall.

Barbara nodded in agreement and gently brushed my face with her hand. "Everything will work out, darling. Just believe," she said softly.

I smiled. "I’ll endure, Barbara. And when I’m ready, God willing, I’ll achieve everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’ll find true happiness one day, no matter what people say," I declared.

Barbara smiled back, but before she could respond, my stomach growled loudly, and I blushed with embarrassment.

"Oh dear, let's get some breakfast before those vipers show up," Barbara chuckled.

I nodded. "I’ll just leave my college clothes on the bed. It won’t take long," I said, motioning with a finger.

Barbara laughed. "Sometimes, you seem like a child, Scarlett," she teased.

But before we could head to the kitchen, Bella burst into my room, Naomi trailing behind her. The look on Bella’s face was one of pure fury. Before I could say anything, she slapped me hard across the face, leaving me stunned.

"You think you hit the jackpot because you’re marrying Blackstone?" Bella spat angrily.

I opened my mouth, completely shocked. "I don’t want to marry anyone, you lunatic!" I shouted, ready to lunge at her, not caring about the consequences.

Bella smiled ironically. "Oh, please, Scarlett. Blackstone is rich and handsome. I don’t understand why Dad would choose you to marry him," she sneered. "Listen to me, Scarlett. I will never let you be happy with him. Never."

"I don’t even understand your reaction, Bella. You know very well that I don’t want to marry anyone," I replied.

She let out a humorless laugh. "I was supposed to marry him, not you. He’s been with me. It was my body he wanted, not yours. Dad must have lost his mind, choosing a nobody like you to take a place that should be mine," she fumed. "But mark my words, Scarlett: I will do everything to ruin this before it even begins," she hissed before storming out of the room, Naomi trailing after her in silence.

I turned to Barbara, who looked just as stunned as I felt. She shook her head and said, "Come on, my dear, let’s have breakfast and forget about those two fools."

I nodded, feeling my face burn with anger. If Bella wanted Blackstone so badly, she could have him. All I wanted was my freedom.

"Scarlett, don’t ever let anyone take that smile away from you," Barbara said as we headed out of the room. "I believe in the power of destiny. It will give everyone the ending they deserve."

I nodded in agreement. As we tidied up the mansion, I couldn't help but think about Bella. She had clearly lost sleep over this, and it seemed she had only come into my room to start a fight. She could have done it earlier if she weren’t afraid of waking her precious mother.

When it was time to leave for college, I found out that Bella had forbidden me from getting into the car. She said I should walk today.

But my tormentor of a father had made sure I wouldn’t walk the streets alone. Barbara had to call a car through an app, and I didn’t complain. At least when I left the house, I was dressed well enough to maintain appearances in front of society. Still, I was grateful. I couldn’t imagine walking in the cold wearing my house clothes. I always wondered why I didn’t tell everyone what I went through, but then I remembered what happened when I told a friend as a child. My father had said I was just a child who didn’t know what I was talking about. That day, I suffered the consequences. I learned to keep these things to myself. Only one friend knew what I went through. It's Evelyn Born, who had no family or wealth but had earned a college scholarship. Our bond was strong, and I believed that true brilliance wasn’t in material things but in what people carried within them.

As I got out of the car, I thanked the driver and headed toward the college gate.

“Scarlett!” Evelyn called out, rushing toward me. She hugged me tightly.

“Hey, how are you?” I asked, smiling.

“I’m fine. I was waiting for you so we could go in together. We’re already late for the test,” she said.

I took a deep breath but kept my smile. “I had to wait because I came by car today,” I explained.

She raised an eyebrow, then opened her mouth in shock. “Why did they do that to you now?” she asked, studying my face. “Who did this, Scarlett?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought them back. “I’ll tell you everything after the test,” I promised.

She nodded, and we went in for the test. The hours flew by, and as we left, I began to tell Evelyn everything that had happened.

“My God! They deserve to die!” she exclaimed when I finished.

I sighed deeply. “It’s not that bad,” I said.

She gave me a wry smile. “Just when things seemed like they might work out, you find out you’re marrying the guy who’s been sleeping with your stepsister,” she said indignantly.

“His relationship with Bella is a separate issue. He’s just as much a victim as I am. He was manipulated by her,” I said, feeling embarrassed. “I just hope my marriage to him isn’t what Bella said it would be,” I added.

Evelyn smiled and put an arm around my shoulders. “I’m sure everything will work out,” she said. “Now, let’s get some food. You can’t think about this stuff on an empty stomach.”

We headed to a nearby café, and I felt a little better. At least I had a friend who believed in me and supported me, no matter what