Bought By The Paralyzed Billionaire

CHAPTER 5

ADAM'S POV

"Don't tell me you’re still upset because of Riley?" Conrad says as he wheels me into the city hall. Just then, everyone starts clapping.

My scowl deepens at the sound. Since Riley had left in such a broken state, everything seems to get on my nerves.

"Mr. Hilton!"

Joe Walker, president of the Reggs Brewery Production, walks up towards me with a warm smile, his brunette wife by his side.

"Didn’t think I’d see you here."

"I thought I'd enjoy watching Andrew sweat for a change."

I know one of the reasons Andrew didn’t invite my company to the party is because he’s afraid we might eventually outpace his. It’s nothing new. There’s always a silent war between every tall building here in New York.

I’m not a fool though. Andrew, as well as everyone here, may wear the brightest smiles, but their hearts are clouded by an overly competitive envy for each other.

My business tonight isn’t with these men and women, but with Riley. I had second thoughts about coming after our meeting this evening, but I can’t shake the fact that something is terribly wrong—and it has to do with the boyfriend she mentioned earlier.

Just as Joe and I begin talking about his new wine, Andrew announces something from the stage.

"I would love you all to be present at her wedding and give them your blessings."

"I didn’t know Diana was in a relationship," Joe says, looking at Andrew as my eyes scan around for Riley.

"She wasn’t," Martha, his wife, whispers disdainfully. "That man is her sister’s boyfriend. I’ve seen them together countless times before."

My gaze snaps to Martha at once. "You mean Riley?"

She scratches her neck and nods. "Yes. Poor girl, they are so cruel to her."

And then I see her—storming out of the hall, tears streaming down her face. Lucinda is calling after her, but she doesn’t listen.

I really wish I could get out of this wheelchair. "Uh, I’ll speak with you some other time. I need some fresh air."

They nod before leaving.

"Conrad—"

"Right, you want to ditch me for golden hair?" He lifts his hands dramatically.

I roll my eyes tiredly and wheel myself out of the hall. Hopefully, she hasn’t left yet. The clouds rumble when I reach outside, the cold wind scattering my hair.

I look over the porch. All cars—and no Riley. Dang it! The image of her trying to hold back her tears destroys my heart. Doesn’t he realize she’s pregnant? And how could Andrew do such a thing? What man would cheat on his girlfriend with her sister?

My jaw clenches at the sound of soft sobbing. It’s from the corner. I quickly wheel myself there.

She’s sitting by the edge of the sparkling pool, crying. As I approach closer, her gaze snaps up to me.

Her eyes widen.

I speak abruptly. "In my defense, I’m here because I was invited."

She looks away and wipes her tears. I don’t move and neither does she. She just stares into the pool, her fists clenched beside her. I decide not to go any further, so she won’t try running away again.

The silence stretches between us and no matter how I try, I can’t keep my eyes from her.

No one deserves to be treated like that. I’m surprised that a man like Andrew would do such a thing to his own daughter.

I finally speak. "Thank you for helping my grandmother." I start, hoping it might change her mood.

Her shoulder flinches. "It was careless of you to leave her without any ride."

"I didn’t. She just enjoys being stubborn. The bodyguards with her reported she ran out of the mall after shopping."

She doesn’t say anything. I let the silence melt in for a few seconds.

"If you’re thinking of aborting the child, it… it wouldn’t do any good to—"

She shakes her head sharply. "God forbid I do such a thing."

"So… what does your father think of… the baby?" I whisper carefully.

Her fists tighten. Seconds pass. No response. I take the bold step to wheel myself closer to her. Just when I’m close enough, she slowly lifts her head to look at me.

Those gorgeous almond eyes.

"You don’t ever quit, do you?"

"The mistake was yours when you approached me at the hospital."

Her eyes darken with sudden anger. I don’t look away. I know she’s searching for someone to take out her anger and sorrow on. I don’t care. I’ll have to get what I came here for.

"Did my father send you to embarrass me? Where are the cameras, huh, tell me?" she snaps. "Stop looking at me like you care if I’d die tomorrow!"

"There are no cameras, Riley. You can believe whatever you want about me." She opens her mouth to speak, but I step in quickly. "There’s no use crying over spilt milk. Look—we can come to an agreement and make things work."

"You have lost your mind."

"Yes, darling, I have." I wheel myself in front of her as she stands to leave. "Marry me, Riley."

She freezes. My eardrums pound as seconds pass. Slowly, her gaze meets mine.

"Marry me," I press on, the words tumbling out. "I'll take responsibility as the father of your child. It would just be for a year, until after the baby is born. Then we can find a reason to divorce. I'll take care of you both, and I'll put half my estate in a trust for your child."

Seconds stretch.

"Wh… Why should I believe you’re willing to do this to gain nothing?"

"You have no idea what it's like," I say, the truth feeling like a shard of glass in my throat. "To be looked at with either pity or greed. I haven't had a woman look at me the way you did in that hospital... without seeing the chair first... in a very long time. I'd like to know what that feels like again, even for a year."

She swallows, her eyes still wide on mine. "You wouldn’t... force me to sleep with you, would you?"

A dry, humorless laugh escapes me. "I'm not a monster, Riley. Do you accept my offer?"

She looks away, her palm rubbing her elbow. A minute passes. Two. Then she looks at me, her eyes gleaming with resolve and defeat as she nods.

"As long as there’s a contract to back it up," she mutters, and then walks away.

My lips curve into a smile. I have just a year to make Riley Monroe fall in love with me.