His biggest regret

CHAPTER 3

Lizzy stared speechless at the stranger standing on her doorstep.

He looked like he had stepped out of the cover of a business magazine. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly,his biceps bulging out of his perfectly tucked in shirt

his expensive wristwatch gleamed under the porch light, he smelled like heaven.

her eyes traced the tattoos from the back of his ear, down towards his neck but his suit covered the rest...his perfect chiseled face, extraordinary jawline, and beautiful jet black hair which was laid back while a little strand dangled over his fully carved eye brows.

He had full rose bud lips, a pointed nose and his piercing gray eyes remained fixed on hers.

who was this beautiful man who made her mouth water and her pants wet in an instant!

"I've finally found you, Mrs. Scroff," he repeated calmly.

Oh his voice!

Lizzy frowned.

"I'm no longer Mrs. Scroff."

A flicker of surprise crossed the man's face.

"My apologies."

He paused.

"Miss Lizzy Scroff."

"What do you want?" she asked coldly. "If you're selling something, I'm not interested."

she tried to sound defensive but deep down she was taking in every inch of this man's beauty

"I'm not here to sell anything."

"Then leave."

She began closing the door, but the man spoke again.

"I know your daughter died...."

Lizzy froze.

Slowly, she turned to face him.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

"My name is Ethan Blackwood."

Damn! even his name held some power...but wait, she had heard that name in the news somewhere....Ethan Blackwood..and that was when it struck her. He was One of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world with a

Net worth of Around $35–50 billion and also Known as "The Ice King of Wall Street" because of his cold, emotionless personality and this powerful man was standing at HER doorstep

"The CEO of Blackwood Global."

Blackwood global... Multinational Conglomerate, specializes in Luxury real estate and property development,

International banking and investment firms,

Five-star hotels and luxury resorts,

Private airlines and aviation services and so much more....THE black wood global??

Lizzy was dumbfounded, but still tried to keep her cool

"well then Mr blackwood, what's your business here and who sent you?"

"No one."

"I came because I owe your father a debt."

"My... father?"

Lizzy's eyebrows knitted together.

"My father died when I was fifteen."

"I know."

"Then how could you owe him anything?"

Ethan sighed.

"Your father once saved my life."

Lizzy's eyes widened.

"I was only sixteen when my parents died in a plane crash. Your father found me after the accident and stayed with me until help arrived."

"He never asked for anything in return."

"I spent years searching for him so I could repay that kindness."

His expression darkened.

"But by the time I found him... he had already passed away."

Lizzy remained silent.

"I couldn't repay him," Ethan continued.

"So I decided I would repay his family instead, I spent years searching for you when I heard he had just one child...a daughter and after years of searching my sources found you yesterday and I decided to come see you today....in person....that's a privilege."

A privilege? who the hell does he think he is...he may be one of the wealthiest people in London but that doesn't give him the right to be rude

Lizzy laughed bitterly.

"You're too late."

"My husband left me."

"My daughter is dead."

"My family is gone."

"There is nothing left to save."

Ethan looked around the empty house before meeting her eyes again.

"There is still you."

His words made her melt like butter placed in a hot pan!

For the first time in days, someone had spoken as though her life still mattered.

She looked away before the tears could fall again.

"What exactly do you want from me? First you show up with some Bs story about knowing my dad at the same time you happen to be here when my life is a total mess and then what you are meant to be my saviour?"

Ethan reached into his briefcase and placed a neatly arranged file in her hands, while handling her the papers, his hands brushed hers

They were cold, his skin was damn smooth...but cold just like his expression and everything about him..

"I have a proposal."

Lizzy didn't move.

"I'm listening."

"I need a wife."

Silence filled the room, Lizzy almost laughed because it all sounded like a joke

Lizzy blinked.

"What?"

"A contract marriage."

She stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

"You must be joking."

"I never joke."

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"I know you're intelligent."

"I know you're capable."

"And I know you're strong enough to survive everything life has thrown at you."

Lizzy folded her arms.

"And what exactly do you gain from marrying a complete stranger?"

"My grandfather is dying."

"He wants to see me married before he passes."

"If I refuse, I'll lose control of Blackwood Global to my cousin."

"So you need a fake wife."

"Exactly."

Lizzy shook her head.

"You've come to the wrong woman."

"My life is already ruined."

"I have nothing left."

"You have something."

Ethan slid another document toward her.

"A chance to start over."

She slowly opened the file.

Inside was a contract.

Her eyes widened as she read the first page.

She would receive a luxurious penthouse, unlimited access to Blackwood Global's resources, a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand dollars, and complete financial security for three years.

At the bottom of the page was one sentence.

At the end of the contract, both parties will separate peacefully unless they mutually decide otherwise.

Lizzy looked up.

"Why me?"

Ethan answered honestly.

"Because I need someone who isn't after my money."

"And because I made a promise to your father."

Lizzy stared at the contract.

Money...

Power...

Influence...

Everything Nicholas had always wanted.

Then his face flashed across her mind.

His betrayal.

His cruelty.

His threats against Lou.

The tears she had shed.

Something inside her changed.

For the first time since losing everything...

She didn't feel helpless.

She felt angry.

Very angry.

She slowly closed the file.

"If I marry you..."

Ethan waited.

"...I make my own decisions."

"You do."

"I keep my career."

"You can."

"And you never interfere with my personal matters."

"I won't."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"There is one thing I want."

"What is it?"

"My ex-husband."

A dangerous smile slowly spread across her face.

"I want Nicholas to lose everything."

Ethan remained silent.

"I want him to suffer."

"I want him to beg."

"I want him to regret the day he destroyed my family."

For a brief second, Ethan saw something frightening in Lizzy's eyes.

The broken woman standing before him was disappearing.

In her place stood someone driven by pain...

And fueled by revenge.

Without another word, Ethan picked up a pen and placed it before her.

"Then sign the contract."

Lizzy stared at the paper.

She thought about Lou.

She thought about her mother.

She thought about Nicholas.

Then, with trembling fingers...

She signed her name.

Ethan extended his hand.

"Welcome to Blackwood global Lizzy, or should I say Mrs Lizzy Blackwood"

Mrs Lizzy Blackwood....she already sounded powerful

Lizzy shook his hand with a smirk playing across her face.

In 48 hours, Lizzy's world had crumbled but this...this was a new beginning and neither of them realized that the contract they had just signed would not only change their lives...

It would ignite a war that would make one man wish he had never uttered the words

'I want a divorce.'