The Billionaire Bride

Chapter2 LIAM BLACKWOOD

Liam Blackwood's lips curved into a satisfied smile as I reluctantly agreed to his outrageous proposal. With a dismissive wave of his hand, the armed men who had barged into my apartment melted away, leaving just Blackwood towering over me.

"Excellent decision, Ms. Moretti," he purred in that cultured, silky voice. "I trust you won't come to regret it."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the arrogant confidence in his tone. Just what had I gotten myself into by accepting this insane offer? The man already oozed a dominating presence that made me uneasy.

Blackwood reached into an inner jacket pocket and retrieved a thin document folder. "We'll get the paperwork out of the way first. "This agreement is super strong..."

As he started talking about all the complicated legal stuff to protect his money, I felt worse. He probably had this tricky contract ready before. He's always ahead, thinking and controlling everything.

"...And finally, Schedule C outlines the rules and expectations for your conduct during our temporary marriage," Blackwood concluded, sliding the paperwork toward me across the coffee table.

I took a deep breath before scanning through the paper. my heart sinking with each bullet point:

- Maintain at all times the pretense of a happily married couple in public and social situations

- Make no disclosures about the true nature of our arrangement to friends, family or media

- Obey all reasonable requests from Liam related to schedule and appearances

- Do not engage in inappropriate relationships or socialize in private with other men

- Travel schedules and living arrangements to be determined by Liam during the agreement period

The list kept going, getting stricter and stricter, like a mean dragon. It felt like I wouldn't have any freedom for the next 6-8 months. It was like Blackwood had built his own prison, pretending it was a fancy marriage.

"These terms are utterly ridiculous!" I blurted out, anger flaring as I tossed the papers away in disgust. "I'll be nothing more than your owned property!"

Blackwood's eyes flashed dangerously, and for an instant I thought he might lash out with his fists. But he merely rested his hands on the table, leaning down until our faces were mere inches apart.

"Let's get one thing crystal clear, Ms. Moretti," he said in a soft, deadly whisper. "During this engagement, you are mine in every sense of the word. My wife. My property. And you will do exactly as I say without argument...or suffer the consequences."

I felt my mouth go dry as my instincts fought with my anger. This guy's intense presence was like looking into a fierce fire - amazing but scary because it could destroy me if I didn't follow his rules.

Standing up straight, Blackwood fixed his tie and looked calm again. "Should we call your parents to tell them? I already booked the Ritz Carlton ballroom for the ceremony."

I opened and closed my mouth wordlessly, suddenly at a complete loss. Blackwood gave me the faintest of smug smiles, knowing he'd already won.

I could only watch in numb disbelief as he strode away to make the call, each step sealing my fate into place like snapping iron shackles. Whatever freedoms I thought I had were now Liam Blackwood's to grant or deny over the next few months.

For better or worse, I was well and truly his.

A cold feeling washed over me as the reality set in. This wasn't just some imagination anymore - I had actually agreed to become Liam Blackwood's wife, even if just temporarily on paper. The man's staggering wealth and influence meant he could likely make my life a waking nightmare if I didn't hold up my end of the bargain.

What had I been thinking? Blackwood was a virtual stranger, yet I had handed over the most intimate part of myself to be owned for his convenience. I shuddered to imagine the details he might expect once we were legally married.

My roommate Kara startled me from my thoughts as she reemerged from the kitchen, eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Sophia...what the hell was all that about? Who was that guy?"

I looked at her helplessly, unable to even begin explaining the madness I'd just resigned myself to. How could I admit I'd agreed to marry Liam Blackwood, one of the world's most wealthy and powerful CEOs, simply to pay off my debts?

Sensing my inner turmoil, Kara rushed to pull me into a fierce hug. "It's going to be okay, honey. I'm here for you no matter what, you know that."

Tears pricked my eyes as I clung to her, drawing strength from her words. Kara had been my rock through countless trials and tribulations since we were freshmen. If anyone could understand the sheer desperation that had led me to make this decision , it was her.

"Kara...you're not going to believe this," I began in a shaky whisper. "But I may have just done something incredibly stupid..."

I took a fortifying breath before beginning to recount the surreal chain of events to Kara. With each increasingly wild detail I relayed, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"...So yeah, somehow I've agreed to become Liam Blackwood's temporary wife for a few months to help with a business deal," I finished in a small voice, unable to meet her stunned gaze.

An heavy silence lingered between us as Kara processed everything. When she finally spoke, her tone was one of barely constrained panic.

"Sophia, do you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into? This guy is like a real-life Bond villain - he's richer than God and has connections everywhere! What if this is some sort of trap and he's just using you?"

I winced at her words, her fears simply giving voice to the nagging doubts swirling in my own mind. In a matter of minutes, I had signed away freedom over my life to a man who could have me utterly ruined on a whim.

"I...I didn't have a choice, Kara," I pleaded, my voice cracking with desperation. "With my student loans and everything, I'm absolutely drowning in debt. If I didn't accept his offer, he was going to make my financial situation even worse!"

Throwing up her hands in frustration, Kara shook her head vehemently. "This is complete insanity! That bastard is taking advantage of you in the worst way."

"I know, I know!" I cried, feeling hot tears spill down my cheeks. "But without his money, I'll never be able to pay off my loans and finish my studies. My dream of becoming a research psychologist will be over before it even starts!"

Seeing the anguish written across my face, Kara immediately wrapped me in another fierce hug, her own eyes shimmering with moisture. We stayed like that for several long moments as I trembled in her arms, equal parts terrified and resigned to the dangerous contract I'd just signed .

"Just promise me you'll be careful, okay?" Kara said at last in a thick voice. "Don't let this psycho manipulate you into anything you don't want to do. The second things go too far, you get out of there."

I managed a small nod against her shoulder, clinging to her words like a lifeline. Kara was right - no amount of money was worth sacrificing my safety or self-respect. I would have to play along with Blackwood's deranged game for now, but be vigilantly watching for any sign to escape.

The sharp sound of my phone broke the heavy moment between us. Dread pooled in my stomach as I saw the unknown number flashing on the screen.

This was it. My new life as Liam Blackwood's unwitting wife was only beginning.

Taking a steadying breath, I answered the call and lifted the phone to my ear with a trembling hand. "H-hello?"

The deep, cultured voice on the other end sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

"Excellent, you're still there. I've just spoken to your parents and they're...quite eager to begin wedding preparations immediately."

I felt like the breath had been knocked out of me hearing Blackwood's smooth delivery, his words making this nightmare feel all too real. Kara shot me a alarmed look, but I waved her off, straining to make out his further instructions over the rushing sound in my ears.

"My jet is awaiting you at the airfield," Blackwood continued . "A car will arrive shortly to bring you to the estate, where we can finalize details for the ceremony. I expect you to be dressed and ready to depart in one hour."

It wasn't a request, but a cold, issued command. The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone's blank screen in dismay.

Just like that, I had one hour to upend my entire life and willingly walk into the golden cage Liam Blackwood was so generously providing. I felt dizzy with how fast everything had gotten out of my hands.

Kara touched my arm, her expression a mixture of fear and concern. "Don't do this, Sophia. This whole setup reeks of being illegal - he can't honestly expect you to-"

"I don't have a choice," I interrupted woodenly, feeling numb inside.

I felt really tired and defeated. What was one more deal when I'd already given up so much? I'd be Blackwood's wife for a while, make sure I'm okay for the future, and then leave when it's over.

At least, that's what I desperately tried to tell myself as I turned to go start packing up my life.

No matter how golden the cage is, I was now Liam Blackwood's purchased caged bird.