billionaire's instant bride

Bella

The billionaire's instant bride

chapter one: Bella

The rain poured relentlessly, a steady rhythm against the pavement as Bella Anderson stepped out of her small apartment. The gloomy sky matched her mood, but she forced herself to focus. With a list of groceries in one hand and her phone in the other, she reminded herself that giving in to despair wasn’t an option.

Her mother’s frail voice echoed in her mind. “Don’t worry about me, Bella. I’ve seen worse.”

But Bella knew her mother, Elena, was lying. The mounting medical bills and the strain of living with an incurable disease weighed heavily on them both.

Pulling her hood tighter, Bella trudged down the street. She couldn’t afford to get sick herself—not now.

As she approached the grocery store, a sleek black car zoomed through a puddle, sending a wave of icy water splashing onto her. She gasped, frozen in shock as her jeans and sweater clung to her like a second skin.

“Unbelievable!” she muttered, shaking off the water.

The car screeched to a halt a few feet ahead. Anger flared inside her as she marched toward it. Without hesitation, she planted herself in front of the vehicle, blocking its path.

The tinted window of the back seat rolled down, revealing a man with chiseled features and a pair of piercing gray eyes. He exuded power and arrogance, his tailored suit sitting perfectly on his broad shoulders.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone cold and dismissive.

“What am I doing? You just soaked me with your stupid car, and you’re asking me that?” Bella shot back, her voice rising.

The man arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “You’re blocking my way.”

“And you’re blocking my dignity,” Bella snapped. “At least apologize!”

The driver leaned out of his window. “Miss, please move. We’re in a hurry.”

“I don’t care if you’re late for your spa appointment or a private jet! Learn to drive responsibly!” Bella fumed, refusing to budge.

The man in the back seat let out a sigh, clearly irritated. “Drive,” he ordered.

“Sir, she’s—”

“I said, drive,” the man repeated, his tone clipped.

Bella barely had time to step aside as the car surged forward, narrowly missing her. She watched it disappear down the street, her hands trembling with fury.

“Jerk,” she muttered, turning back toward the grocery store.

Bella’s frustration lingered as she grabbed a cart and made her way through the grocery store. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, and the soft hum of a pop song played over the speakers. She tried to focus on her list, but her soaked clothes clung to her skin, and her hands were still shaking from the encounter.

“Some people think they own the world,” she muttered, tossing a loaf of bread into her cart.

She moved through the aisles mechanically, her thoughts clouded by worry. The truth was, even this simple grocery run felt like a luxury. Every penny she spent weighed on her conscience, a reminder of how dire her situation had become.

As she reached the checkout line, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and frowned at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.

“Hello?” she answered hesitantly.

“Bella, it’s Matilda,” came the urgent voice on the other end.

Matilda was her mother’s neighbor, a kind-hearted woman who often helped care for Elena when Bella was working late shifts.

“What’s wrong?” Bella’s heart dropped at the panic in Matilda’s tone.

“It’s your mother. She collapsed, and we had to call an ambulance. She’s at County General Hospital.”

The bag of flour Bella was holding slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a dull thud.

“I’m on my way,” she said, her voice trembling.

Abandoning her cart, Bella bolted out of the store. The rain was still falling, but she didn’t care. Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios as she flagged down the first cab she saw.

The ride to the hospital felt endless. Her hands fidgeted in her lap, and her breathing was shallow. By the time the cab pulled up to the entrance, she was nearly hyperventilating.

“Please be okay, Mom,” she whispered as she rushed through the automatic doors.

Inside, the sterile smell of disinfectant hit her like a wall. Bella hurried to the reception desk, her shoes squeaking against the linoleum floor.

“My mother—Elena Anderson—she was brought in,” Bella said breathlessly.

The receptionist nodded and checked her computer. “Room 214. Second floor.”

Bella didn’t wait for further instructions. She darted toward the elevator, jabbing the button repeatedly until the doors slid open.

When she reached the room, she found Matilda sitting by the bed. Bella’s mother lay pale and motionless, an oxygen mask over her face.

“She’s stable for now,” Matilda said softly, standing to give Bella space. “But the doctors said—they said she needs surgery soon.”

Bella sank into the chair by the bed, her vision blurring with tears. She took her mother’s frail hand in hers, the weight of her helplessness crushing her.

“How much will it cost?” Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Matilda hesitated. “They estimate— $150,000.”

The number hit Bella like a physical blow. She bit her lip to hold back a sob.

“I’ll figure something out,” she said firmly, though she had no idea how.

As Matilda left the room to give her privacy, Bella pulled out her phone. There was only one person she could think of who might help: Henry, her childhood friend who now worked for a powerful businessman.

Dialing his number, she prayed he would answer.

“Bella?” Henry’s familiar voice came through. “It’s been a while. What’s wrong?”

Her voice broke as she explained her mother’s situation. Henry listened quietly, then said, “Bella, I might have a solution. It’s… unconventional, but it could solve your problem.”

“I’ll do anything,” Bella said without hesitation.

“Come to this address.” He sent her the location. “My boss, Alexander, needs a fake wife for a year. The pay is enough to cover everything you need.”

Bella’s breath caught. The idea was absurd, but desperation left her no room to argue.

“I’ll be there,” she said, hanging up.