The billionaire's contract wife

Chapter one The fancy car raced down the deserted streets while the loud midnight rain hammered on the roof. The man, being in his fifties with much experience, gripped the steering wheel tightly, focusing intently on the road ahead. Thomas Thompson stayed in the back seat, his body rigid from a full day of business travel. After being away from home for a few weeks, all he desired now was the peace and tranquility of his house. He was preoccupied with his work, the recent contract he finalized, and his son Theo, who was growing more remote. Thomas caught a glimpse of a man darting into traffic from the corner of his eye. The driver firmly applied the brakes.however, the smooth surface provided minimal traction. The car slid with squealing tires, but it was already too late. The vehicle reverberated with a soft thud when the individual collided with the hood before landing on the ground. I apologize, but may I please be excused? "We've hit someone!" exclaimed the driver in a panicked voice. Thomas could feel his heart racing in his chest as he began to undo his seatbelt. He pushed the door slightly open and walked outside into the rain, with his guards also getting out of the vehicle and their heavy boots making splashes in puddles. A young woman lay still on the ground, her clothes wet, her face pale in the darkness of the night. "Request assistance," Thomas directed confidently, maintaining his firm demeanor despite the anxiety in his stomach. He crouched next to her, gently raising her head. Despite the fact that she was inhaling and exhaling, her heartbeat was weak. Blood flowed from a gash on her forehead. "We must take her to a healthcare facility." The company chose to terminate the employee due to their continuous poor performance. After a few hours, Matilda awoke in a room unfamiliar to her. The strong odor of antiseptic burned her nostrils, while the faint glow of a lamp created elongated shadows on the walls. She closed her eyes and then immediately opened them in an attempt to understand her surroundings. She felt unease in her entire body and her head was pulsating with ache. Memories of the accident flooded back, causing a powerful sense of fear to consume her. The vehicle. The lighting. The effect. She found it difficult to rise, but a bout of lightheadedness made her recline on the comfortable bed again. At that moment, the door made a creaking sound as it opened, and a man entered the room. He was of tall stature, with hair beginning to turn gray and eyes that were sharp and perceptive, observing everything around him. His attire was flawless, with his suit perfectly ironed even though it was late. "You are up," he stated, with a calm yet authoritative tone in his voice. He moved nearer, yet maintained a courteous space. Matilda's heart rate increased. "Can you tell me my current location?" The man grabbed a chair from the corner and took a seat. "You were involved in a collision." My chauffeur collided with you. I apologize deeply for what occurred. Now that you are in my home, we took you to see a doctor who reassured us that you just need some rest to feel better. Matilda's thoughts were running quickly. She was living, but in a unfamiliar residence. The place where he lives. "Who are you?" she inquired, speaking in barely a whisper. "I am Thomas Thompson," he answered, observing her carefully. "Who are you?" Matilda was uncertain. She was familiar with the name - Thomas Thompson was a well-known figure in the city. He was a formidable figure in the business realm, wielding immense power that surpassed the grasp of regular individuals such as herself. Knowing her identity and place of origin could result in him deciding to return her. Returning to Victoria. Returning to the same hell she had recently fled. She exclaimed with trembling in her voice, "I have nowhere to go." Nobody... Not a single family. I was simply strolling, attempting to solve problems. I did not catch sight of the vehicle. Thomas's forehead creased a bit, worry shimmering in his gaze. "Can you tell me your name?" She attempted to speak, but the truth became stuck in her throat. If she informed him, he could discover all the abuse, neglect, and torment from her stepmother. It is possible that he will send her away. Taking that chance was not an option for her. "Emily," she fibbed. "Emily Fields." Thomas observed her intently for an extended period, his eyes focused, as though he were considering carefully what she was saying. After that, he nodded in a slow manner. "I promise, Emily, I'll ensure you're looked after during your recovery." You are allowed to remain here temporarily. Once you have recovered, we will determine what comes next." Matilda experienced a sense of relief flooding through her, while the guilt from her lie troubled her internally. With no other options available, this was currently her top choice. She murmured, "Thanks." Thomas rose to his feet and briefly looked at his watch. Take a break. "You have experienced a difficult evening." Matilda reclined against the pillows, her mind abuzz with a thousand thoughts as he exited the room. She was currently secure, but how much time would that security endure? What would occur once the truth was revealed? The following day, Matilda sat in bed and consumed a bowl of soup provided to her by a staff member of the household. Despite still being in pain, her mind had cleared up, enabling her to think more logically. The house was huge, and despite having only seen this one room, she felt that it was not somewhere she belonged. The door unexpectedly swung open, and a young man walked in, his expression quickly shifting from surprise to irritation. Matilda came to a sudden halt, her spoon hovering near her mouth. He inquired with a sharp tone, "Who are you?" Taken aback by his tone, she blinked. He had a commanding presence, with a striking appearance and eyes that showed a hint of impatience, making him seem unapproachable. His clothing clearly indicated wealth, as expensive fabrics were expertly tailored to his slim figure. Despite their unfamiliarity, she quickly identified him. The one chosen to inherit the Thompson empire was Theo Thompson, who is Thomas's son. Matilda felt her heart race again as she placed the spoon on the table. "Emily," she said, the deceitful words flowing more easily now. Your father... I got into a car accident. "He's giving me permission to stay here while I recover." Theo narrowed his eyes. "What could be the reason for his behavior?" Matilda hesitated, unsure of how to respond, and took a deep breath. She observed the disdain in his stare, how he looked at her like she didn't belong. And she did not. Neither in this household, nor on this Earth. She softly admitted to being uncertain. "He's just helping me out." Theo scorned, crossing his arms over his chest. "My father doesn't allow unfamiliar people to enter our home." Particularly individuals similar to you. The words hurt, but she couldn't figure out the reason behind it. She had anticipated such behavior from an individual of his kind. However, the manner in which he uttered the words "individuals like you" enraged her. However, she made herself remain calm. She didn't have the means to create a foe in this place. She maintained a steady voice as she declared, "This is not something I requested." "It was unintentional." Theo examined her briefly before shaking his head. "Well, don't settle in too much. I'm confident that my father will send you off shortly. He then turned around and exited the room, leaving Matilda by herself again, feeling her heart pound in her chest. The dog chased the cat around the yard. Later that night, Matilda listened to voices coming from outside her room. She struggled to hear, distinguishing Thomas’s calm, deep voice from Theo’s more sharp tone. Theo expressed his lack of trust in her. "You have no idea about her identity or origin." "I know," Thomas responded calmly. However, she is injured and she has no place to go. Matilda could make out enough of Theo's muffled response to sense the extent of his disdain. He desired for her not to be present. If he had control, she wouldn't stay around for much longer. Matilda squeezed her hands tightly beneath the blankets. She needed to exercise caution. Theo was correct—she was out of place here. However, at the moment, this house was her sole place of refuge, despite it resembling a luxurious prison. She needed to go along with it, guard her secrets, and plan her next move. However, it was evident that she must remain vigilant. With Theo observing her every action, she couldn't escape scrutiny.