A Wife For Him Hearts Under Contract

Early

The next morning, Daniel made a decision that surprised even himself as he didn’t wait for the driver, didn’t bother with breakfast, didn’t even give himself time to think more about the issue because what more was there to think all he just knew was that he was in no way he was going to loose the project because of some bunch of people.

He simply grabbed his keys, slid into one of his cars, and drove out of the estate while the rest of the world was still yawning awake.

The roads stretched out before him in pale silence, washed in the cool blue of dawn.

He usually enjoyed that quiet how the city seemed to hold its breath at this hour, as though it belonged only to him but today his mind refused to settle, circling back again and again to the address glowing on his phone" Irene’s address"

When the navigation finally guided him to a modest house at the end of a narrow street, Daniel slowed, his eyes narrowing as he studied it.

The place was painfully ordinary: a weathered fence leaning slightly to one side, a number carved neatly above the doorway, curtains drawn so tightly that not even a sliver of light escaped.

Nothing about it fit the picture he had begun to paint of the woman who had, against his will, unsettled him since the day she walked into his company.

Still, he stepped out of the car, the crisp morning air brushing cool against his face as he approached the door.

His knuckles tapped against the wood once, then again, harder this time yet the silence inside remained unbroken.

He waited. Knocked again. The street gave nothing back, only stillness, as though the house had been abandoned long ago. His jaw tightened.

Pulling out his phone, Daniel dialed his assistant, the line connecting almost immediately.

“Did you give me the wrong address?” His words were low, controlled, but irritation seeped through.

“I’ve been standing here for ten minutes and this place looks deserted.”

The reply came quickly, the assistant’s tone steady but cautious. “No, sir. The address is correct.

However… it is still very early and it’s barely six she may not have risen yet.”

Daniel’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze locked on the motionless windows. “Are you suggesting I adjust my schedule to suit hers?”

A beat of silence then, carefully, “Not at all, sir. I only meant that could explain why she hasn’t answered the door.”

Daniel let the silence drag, long enough that he could hear the faint hitch of his assistant’s breath, before ending the call with a flick of his thumb.

The phone slid back into his pocket as his attention returned to the house, unease stirring somewhere deep in his chest.

He decided to try once more and as his hand was halfway to the door when it suddenly swung open, and a woman he had never seen before stumbled out.

Her hair was a tangled mess, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and she was dressed in nothing more than skimpy shorts and a flimsy see-through singlet.

Daniel’s expression hardened instantly. Disorder irritated him, and this woman reeked of it.

She squinted at him. “Uh… who are you?”

His brows lifted, the chill in his gaze cutting straight through her. “I should be asking you that question. Who are you? Because, as far as I know, this is supposed to be Miss Irene's’ residence.”

The woman let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “Wait, are you sick or something?

You just show up here at six in the morning, in a suit, looking like you escaped from a psychiatric ward? Who even does that?”

Her tone was mocking, her arms folding across her chest. “If this is some kind of prank, you’re out of luck as we don’t have money to give you now excuse me.” She said while reaching to slam the door.

But before she could, Daniel wedged his shoe against it, his strength forcing the door wide.

Her eyes widened “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You can’t just barge in here! I could sue you for trespassing this is private property!”

Daniel ignored her, stepping inside as if the place already belonged to him.

The woman hurried after him, outrage spilling from her lips. “Hey! Are you deaf? I said this is my house, my property and take your shoes off at least” She said and reached out to grab his shoulder.

But Daniel brushed her hand away as though she carried disease and his jaw tightened with visible disgust.

Her mouth fell open. “Did you just? Oh my God. Are you serious right now? You walk into my house without permission and then act like I’m contaminated trash just for touching you?”

Daniel turned slowly, his eyes as cold as ice.

“Well, from the way you look and the way you carry yourself, you might as well be.

If you knew the worth of this suit, you wouldn’t have dared to put your hands on me.” His voice cut like steel.

“And what nonsense are you spouting about this being your house? I was told this is Miss Irene residence.”

Levi threw her head back and let out a sharp, almost hysterical laugh.

“Oh, so because someone told you this is Irene’s house, you think that gives you the right to barge in without permission? Be real, man. What is it you want, money?”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his gaze slicing through her mockery. His voice was quiet but heavy with disdain.

“Do I look like someone begging for money? If I wanted, I could buy this entire apartment and everything in it without blinking.”

Levi’s expression hardened as she stepped forward, pointing toward the door with trembling fingers.

“Get out,” she half shouted through gritted teeth.

But Daniel didn’t move

“I said get out!” She said again her voice cracking with anger. “I don’t know what makes you think you can walk in here and talk down on us, but I won’t tolerate it so leave now.”

Daniel’s lips curved not into a smile, but something colder.

“I’m not leaving until I see Miss Irene. You can shout, threaten, or do your worst, but that won’t change my mind because I was told this is her residence, and I will wait.”

Levi pressed both hands to her head and let out a short, frustrated scream, half-laughing as she did. “Oh my God, I cannot believe I’m dealing with a lunatic at six in the morning.

Before Daniel could answer, a small, sleepy voice came from the hallway.

“Aunt Levi… what’s going on? I can’t sleep.

And both adults turned immediately, as Elias stood in the doorway, rubbing his eyes, his hair tousled from sleep.

His soft, troubled face made Levi’s irritation vanish in an instant as she hurried to him, crouching down with forced cheerfulness.

“Oh, Elias, I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s nothing. Just a crazy man who came into the house this morning, making noise.” She smoothed his hair, trying to shield him from the tension.

But Elias wasn’t looking at her. His gaze had locked on Daniel, sharp and accusing despite his young age.

“You,” he said, his small voice firm. “You’re the bad man who insulted Mom.”

Levi froze, her head snapping toward him. Then her eyes darted back to Daniel, suspicion knitting her brows.

“Elias…” she whispered slowly, “are you telling me… you know this man?”