THE BILLIONAIRE's CONTRACT BRIDE

*CHAPTER 1: A CONTRACT FOR $50,000* Ava Morgan stared at the hospital bill in her shaking hands. $50,000. Due in 48 hours. Or her mother dies. "I'm sorry, Miss Morgan," the doctor said coldly. "No payment, no surgery." Tears filled her eyes. She had no job, no family, nothing. She ran out of the hospital into the pouring rain. That's when a black Rolls Royce splashed water all over her white dress. "Are you blind?!" she screamed at the car. The window rolled down. A man with icy blue eyes, in a perfect black suit, looked at her like she was nothing. Ethan Carter. The billionaire every woman in New York wanted, and every man feared. "You ruined my dress!" Ava shouted. He looked her up and down and said, "I'll buy you a hundred dresses. Get in. I have a proposition for you." "What? I don't even know you!" "I know you need $50,000. I heard your call," he said, holding up her hospital bill which had fallen near his car. "Be my wife for 30 days. I need a wife to claim my grandfather's company. You need money. No love. Just a contract." Ava's heart stopped. Marry a stranger? A cold, arrogant billionaire? But her mother's face flashed in her mind. "And if I say no?" she whispered. Ethan leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous, "Then your mother dies tomorrow. If you say yes... you become Mrs. Ethan Carter tonight."