MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE I HATED

Chapter One: The Man I Never Wanted "Amara, please. You have to help us." My mother's voice broke as she spoke. She sat on the edge of my bed, holding a white envelope in her trembling hands. Her eyes were red from crying, and I could tell she had not slept well. I sat up and looked at her. "Mummy, what happened?" She handed me the envelope without saying a word. I opened it and began to read. My heart sank as I saw the amount of money we owed the bank. It was more than I could ever imagine paying back. "How did this happen?" I asked, looking at her in disbelief. My mother wiped her face with the corner of her wrapper. "Your father's business failed, Amara. We have tried everything, but the bank is no longer willing to wait. They said they would take the house if we didn't pay within two weeks." I stared at the paper in my hands. Our house was the only thing we had left. After my father's death two years ago, everything had fallen apart. His business had collapsed, and the people who once called him their friend disappeared overnight. I had taken a job at a small fashion shop to support my mother and younger brother, but my salary was barely enough to cover our daily needs. "Mummy, why didn't you tell me earlier?" I asked quietly. "Because I didn't want to put this burden on you." I looked at her and felt tears gather in my eyes. "What are we going to do now?" She shook her head. "I don't know, my daughter." For the first time in my life, I felt completely helpless. That afternoon, I went to work, but I could hardly concentrate. My mind kept returning to the debt and the possibility of losing our home. My best friend, Chika, noticed something was wrong as soon as I entered the shop. "Amara, what is happening? You look like you have been crying." I told her everything during our lunch break. When I finished, she was silent for a moment. "Have you heard about Daniel Williams?" she asked. I frowned. "Who is that?" "Seriously? You don't know him? He is one of the richest businessmen in the country. His company owns hotels, shopping malls, and several other businesses." "What has that got to do with me?" Chika leaned closer. "I heard his grandfather wants him to get married before he hands over control of the family company. Daniel is looking for a wife." I laughed bitterly. "And you think he will choose me? Chika, please. I have never even seen the man." "I'm just saying. Sometimes, help comes from places we don't expect." I shook my head. "I don't want anything to do with rich men." My father had trusted a wealthy businessman once, and that decision had destroyed our family. I had promised myself that I would never depend on a rich man for anything. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me. Two days later, I received a phone call from an unknown number. "Good afternoon. Am I speaking with Miss Amara Okafor?" a man asked. "Yes. Who is this?" "My name is Richard Cole. I represent Mr. Daniel Williams. My employer would like to meet with you tomorrow morning." I almost laughed. "Why would Daniel Williams want to meet me?" "He will explain everything when you arrive. A car will pick you up at ten." Before I could ask another question, he ended the call. I stared at my phone, wondering if someone was playing a joke on me. The next morning, a black car arrived outside our house. The driver opened the door, and I hesitated before getting in. The car stopped in front of a tall building in the city. I stepped out and looked up at the glass windows that reflected the sunlight. A receptionist led me to the top floor. When the elevator doors opened, I found myself in a large office with expensive furniture and a beautiful view of the city. A man stood near the window with his hands in his pockets. He turned when he heard me enter. He was tall, handsome, and dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit. His face was serious, and his eyes were cold. "Miss Okafor," he said. "Mr. Williams." He pointed to a chair. "Sit down." I sat, trying not to show how nervous I felt. He took his seat behind the desk and studied me for a few seconds. "I'll be direct," he said. "I want you to marry me." For a moment, I thought I had heard him incorrectly. "I'm sorry. What did you just say?" "You heard me." I stared at him. "Have we met before?" "No." "Then why would you ask me to marry you?" He opened a file on his desk. "I know about your family's financial situation. I also know that your house is about to be taken by the bank." My stomach tightened. "How do you know that?" "That is not important." "It is important to me! You cannot investigate my family and expect me to sit here quietly." He leaned back in his chair. "You can leave if you don't like what I'm offering." I stood up immediately. "Good. Because I have no intention of marrying a stranger." I turned toward the door, but his next words stopped me. "I can pay off your family's debt today." My hand froze on the doorknob. He continued speaking. "I can also provide your mother and brother with a comfortable life. Your family will never have to worry about money again." I slowly turned around. "What do you want in return?" "Marriage. One year." I laughed, but there was no happiness in it. "So you want to buy a wife?" "Call it whatever you want." I looked at him with disgust. "You must think every woman has a price." "Everyone has a price, Miss Okafor. Some people are just better at hiding theirs." His words hurt more than I wanted to admit. I thought about my mother crying on the edge of my bed. I thought about my younger brother, who was still in school. I thought about the house where I had grown up and the memories my father had left behind. Then I looked at the man sitting in front of me. I hated him already. "I need time to think," I said. "You have forty-eight hours." "And if I refuse?" "Then you walk away, and I walk away. The offer ends." I picked up my bag and left without saying another word. That evening, I sat beside my mother and told her everything. She listened quietly, her hands clasped together. "Amara, I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness for us," she said. "But what choice do we have, Mummy? We could lose everything." She pulled me into her arms. "Money can save a house, my daughter, but it cannot guarantee happiness." I cried against her shoulder because I knew she was right. But I also knew that if I did nothing, we might lose the only home we had left. That night, I could not sleep. Daniel's cold eyes kept appearing in my mind, along with his insulting words. Everyone has a price. I hated him for thinking he could control my life with money. But by morning, I had made my decision. I would marry Daniel Williams. Not because I loved him. Not because I wanted him. But because I would do whatever it took to save my family. I picked up my phone and dialed the number his assistant had given me. When Daniel answered, I took a deep breath. "I accept your offer," I said. There was a brief silence. "Good," he replied. "The wedding will take place next week." "Next week? That's impossible!" "I don't have time for a long engagement, Amara." "Don't call me as if we're already close." He gave a short, humorless laugh. "Get used to hearing your name from me. You'll be hearing it for a long time." Before I could respond, he ended the call. I stared at my phone, my hands shaking. I had just agreed to marry a man I hated. And I had no idea that this decision would change my life forever.