The Billionaire Bride

Chapter1:-Moretti Pov

A really loud noise broke the quiet evening when the door suddenly slammed open. I got so scared that I dropped my psychology book in fear , and my heart raced as three people wearing masks and black clothes rushed into my apartment.

"Don't move!" one of them shouted, pointing his big gun right at me.

Kara my roommate screamed from the kitchen. The sound of shattering glass and her panicked sobs made my blood run cold. What was happening? This had to be a nightmare.

"On the floor, face down!" the second intruder barked. "Arms out!"

Trembling, I complied, finally finding my voice. "P-please, we don't have any money! Just take whatever you want and go!"

Big boots walked over. A hand in a glove grabbed my hair, pulling my head back weirdly. A cold gun touched my head.

"We're not here for money, gorgeous," a gruff voice growled in my ear. "We want you."

My stomach dropped out. A terrifying realization crept up my spine - this was no ordinary home invasion. Kara's loud cries echoed from the other room.

I freaked out, trying to break free from the strong hold of the person holding me. "Please, I'll do anything! Just don't hurt us!"

The man holding me chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, you'll be quite...cooperative after a while."

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to prepare myself mentally for whatever unspeakable horrors they had in store. But I wasn't prepared for the loud voice that broke the tension.

"That's enough, gentleman."

My eyes opened widely as a tall, impeccably-dressed figure strode into the apartment...

The intruders gasped together when the man came in. He looked really imposing in his fancy suit and confident attitude. He made a quick sign with his hand, and the guys put down their weapons and moved away, letting him come closer.

"Ms. Moretti, I presume?" His voice was smooth and well arranged , yet it contained an undeniable core of steel.

I could only stare at him, in disbelief, adrenaline and fear rushing through my veins. Who was this man? How did he know my name?

“Really sorry about this weird situation," he said, fixing his fancy tie. "But you've been really hard to reach lately."

Managing to find my voice, I stammered, "W-who are you? What do you want from me?"

One side of his mouth quirked upward in an arrogant smirk. "Liam Blackwood. I have a business offer that requires your...special talents."

My brow furrowed in utter confusion. Liam Blackwood? As in, the billion-dollar business mogul? This had to be some sort of twisted joke.

He seemed to read the skepticism on my face. "I can assure you, this is no prank, Ms. Moretti. Now if you'll excuse us..."

With a flick of his fingers, the armed men released their grip on Kara and myself. They moved to secure the premises as Blackwood closed the distance between us. I shrank back, but his next words paralyzed me.

"I need you to marry me." His expression was deadly serious. "And I'm not going taking no for an answer."

I stared up at him in disbelief, I must have misheard.him definitely . There was no way the powerful billionaire Liam Blackwood just demanded I marry him. This had to be some sort of elaborate prank show.

"I...I beg your pardon?" I managed to stammer out.

Blackwood's stern gaze didn't waver. "You are an exceptionally bright young woman about to earn your doctorate, are you not?"

It wasn't a question, and his knowledge of my academic accomplishments only heightened my unease. I gave a mute nod.

"Excellent. Then you are precisely what I require." He stated it matter-of-factly, as if my forced participation were a foregone conclusion.

“My company's big deal with Duvall Corporation relies on me being a family guy. I need a wife, and it is non negotiable.

My mouth went dry as his offer sank in. He wanted to temporarily marry me simply to close a business deal? The sheer audacity was mind-boggling.

"And...and if I refuse this insane offer?" I asked hesitantly.

Blackwood's expression hardened. "Then I will simply have to make your ongoing financial situation... more difficult."

It was a clear threat, and the scary tone in his voice made it clear he was serious. Panic washed over me again when I realized he knew about my huge student loan debt.

"You're completely mental!" I cried out in desperation, shaking my head vehemently. "I won't just sign my life away to be your pawn!"

The tiniest smirk played across Blackwood's lips then. Slowly, deliberately, he reached inside his suit jacket and retrieved a thin black case. My breath hitched as he flipped it open to reveal stacks of crisp $100 bills banded together.

"Name your price, Ms. Moretti," he said calmly . "I have a vast number of resources at my disposal to ensure your cooperation."

I couldn't look away from the case full of money, my heart racing. It felt unreal, but the fear in Blackwood's words made it clear he was serious.

"Wh-what exactly would marrying you entail?" I asked warily.

Blackwood closed the case sharply. "Just pretend to be my wife for the deal. Maybe 6 or 8 months. You'll stay at my place, go to events with me, and do what a wife does."

I swallowed hard at the scary idea . There was no way I'd actually have s*x with this arrogant billionaire, was there? Not that his chiseled features and penetrating gaze didn't stir something primal within me.

Get a grip, Sophia! This is insanity.

Blackwood pressed on relentlessly. In exchange,

"I'll pay off your huge student debts and give you more money. Shall we begin negotiations at...one million dollars?"

One million...

I'd be set for life after taxes. No more anxiety over making rent each month, no education loans to repay. I could actually focus on my postgraduate research.

But at what cost? Marrying a perfect stranger, even temporarily, felt like selling a piece of my soul. Not to mention deceiving my loved ones...

"Tick tock, Ms. Moretti," Blackwood prompted, pulling me from my warring thoughts. "My associates will not remain patient forever. Do we have an agreement?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, my mind still contemplating . What hell had I stumbled into? And why did some reckless part of me ache to find out?

"...Alright," I said at last through numb lips. "I'll do it."