The Billionaire's Broken Vows

The Billionaire’s Broken Vows Episode 1 — The Wedding Contract Amara Bennett stared at the man sitting across from her and wondered if he had lost his mind. Adrian Cross didn't look like a man who had lost anything. He looked perfectly composed. Perfectly cold. Perfectly dangerous. His black suit fit him like it had been made specifically to intimidate everyone in the room. His dark eyes remained fixed on Amara as he calmly slid a document across the table. “Read it.” Amara didn't touch the paper. “You summoned me to your office without telling me why, and now you're offering me a contract?” “A marriage contract.” Her smile disappeared. “What?” Adrian leaned back. “One year. You marry me. At the end of the year, we divorce.” Amara stared at him. Then she pushed the document back. “You're insane.” “I've been called worse.” “Find someone else.” “I need you.” The words caught her off guard. Amara narrowed her eyes. “Why me?” Adrian's expression changed for the briefest moment. “You don't remember me, do you?” “No.” “Three years ago.” Amara searched his face. “I've never met you before.” “Yes, you have.” Adrian's fingers tightened around the edge of the desk. “Three years ago, outside the Grand Royale Hotel. There was an accident.” Amara froze. A memory flashed through her mind. Rain. Headlights. A shattered windshield. A man lying unconscious on the pavement. She remembered calling an ambulance. She remembered holding the injured stranger's hand until help arrived. But she had never seen his face clearly. “You were that man?” “Yes.” Her breath caught. “You were unconscious.” “I know.” “I never knew what happened to you.” “I spent three years trying to find you.” “Why?” “Because you saved my life.” Amara shook her head. “You don't owe me anything.” “I disagree.” He pushed the contract toward her again. “One year.” She looked down. “You're serious.” “Completely.” “And after one year?” “We divorce.” “This is insane.” “I need a wife before my thirty-third birthday.” “Why?” “My grandfather's will.” He paused. “If I'm not married before my birthday, I lose control of the Cross Group.” Amara stared at him. “So this is about your company.” “Partly.” “And why me?” “You're intelligent. You're discreet. You don't belong to my social circle. And you saved my life.” Amara looked at the contract again. Then she saw the amount. Five hundred thousand dollars. Her breath caught. That money could save her mother's business. Her mother's company had been struggling for months. Debts were piling up. Suppliers were demanding payment. The bank had already issued a final warning. “How do you know about my mother's business?” “I investigated you.” “You investigated my family?” “I needed to know who I was asking to marry me.” “You're unbelievable.” “I know.” She stood. “My family's problems are not your concern.” “They become my concern if you're going to be my wife.” “I haven't agreed.” “You don't have to.” He paused. “But you need the money.” Amara's anger faded. He was right. She hated that he was right. She looked at the contract again. “What are the rules?” “You'll live in my residence. We'll appear together publicly. No one can know this is a contract marriage.” “And relationships?” “No relationships outside the marriage.” She raised an eyebrow. “For either of us?” “For either of us.” “And when the year ends?” “You walk away with five hundred thousand dollars.” Amara studied him. “You really expect me to believe you?” “No.” “Then why should I sign?” “Because you need the money.” She hated his honesty. But she needed the money more. She thought about her mother. She thought about everything they could lose. Then she picked up the pen. “If I do this, you keep your side of the agreement.” “I will.” “You don't interfere with my family.” “Agreed.” “You don't humiliate me.” “Never.” “And when the year ends, you let me go.” Adrian's eyes remained on hers. “Yes.” Amara signed. Adrian signed immediately afterward. The deal was done. She put the pen down. “Congratulations, Mr. Cross.” “On what?” “You just bought yourself a wife.” For the first time, the corner of Adrian's mouth lifted. “Don't worry, Mrs. Cross.” His voice dropped. “You'll learn soon enough that I don't buy things I don't intend to keep.” Amara's heart skipped. She hated that his words affected her. Then Adrian's phone rang. He glanced at the screen. His expression immediately changed. “Who is it?” Amara asked. “Someone from my past.” He answered. “Speak.” A man's voice came through the phone. Adrian's face became cold. “What?” He listened silently. Then his eyes moved toward Amara. “Are you certain?” Another pause. “Find him.” He ended the call. Amara frowned. “What happened?” “Nothing.” “You're lying.” Adrian stepped closer. “Stay away from my past, Amara.” She stared at him. “And you stay away from mine.” For a moment, neither moved. Neither of them knew it yet, but the marriage they had just entered wasn't beginning with love. It was beginning with secrets. And one of those secrets would eventually destroy the vows they had just made. --- The next morning, Amara woke before sunrise. She had barely slept. Her wedding dress hung beside the window. It wasn't the wedding she had dreamed about as a little girl. There was no romance behind it. No man kneeling down to ask her to be his forever. No promises made from the heart. It was simply part of a contract. Her phone rang. “Hello?” Her mother's voice came through. “Amara, are you sure about this?” “Yes, Mom.” “You don't have to save me.” “I know.” “Then why are you doing this?” Amara looked at the dress. “Because sometimes two people don't need love to make a deal.” Her mother sighed. “I don't like this.” “I know.” “Something about that man worries me.” Amara smiled faintly. “You've never even met him.” “I don't need to.” --- A few hours later, Amara stood in front of the mirror. The dress was elegant and simple. She hardly recognized herself. A knock sounded. Adrian walked in. He stopped. For the first time since she'd met him, he looked completely speechless. Amara raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Nothing.” “You're staring.” “I know.” “You're doing it again.” “Doing what?” “Looking at me like you know exactly what you're doing.” His eyes moved slowly over her. “You look beautiful.” Amara wasn't prepared for the compliment. “Thank you.” He stepped closer. “You're nervous.” “I'm marrying a stranger.” “So am I.” “You're the one who arranged this.” “I know.” He held out his hand. “We should go.” Amara stared at his hand. Then she placed hers in it. His fingers closed around hers. Warm. Firm. Possessive. A strange sensation moved through her. She quickly pulled her hand away. Adrian noticed. He said nothing. --- The wedding ceremony was small. Only a few people were present: Adrian's closest associates, a few members of his family, and Amara's mother. But the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. A man standing near the back of the room caught Amara's attention. Victor Cross. Adrian's cousin. He watched her like she was an enemy. When Adrian noticed him, his expression became cold. Victor smiled. “Congratulations, cousin.” “Thank you.” Victor looked at Amara. “So this is the woman.” Amara forced a polite smile. “Yes.” Victor stepped closer. “You're very brave.” Amara frowned. “Why?” “Marrying Adrian.” Adrian's voice cut through the conversation. “That's enough.” Victor laughed. “Relax. I was complimenting her.” His eyes returned to Amara. “You'll learn soon enough that nothing in this family is what it appears to be.” Amara's smile disappeared. Adrian stepped between them. “Stay away from my wife.” Victor's smile widened. “Your wife?” He laughed. “Already protective?” Adrian's jaw tightened. Victor walked away. Amara watched him. “What's his problem?” “Everything.” “That isn't an answer.” “It is in my family.” The ceremony began. Amara stood beside Adrian. The priest spoke. She heard the words, but they barely registered. Until the vows. “Do you, Adrian Cross, take Amara Bennett to be your lawful wife?” Adrian looked at her. His eyes were unreadable. “I do.” The priest turned toward her. “Do you, Amara Bennett, take Adrian Cross to be your lawful husband?” She looked into Adrian's eyes. Three years ago, she had held his hand while he lay dying. Today, she was holding his hand again. But this time, he was awake. And she was promising to stay. “I do.” The priest smiled. “Then I pronounce you husband and wife.” Applause filled the room. Adrian turned toward her. For one moment, Amara thought he might kiss her. Instead, he leaned close to her ear. “Smile.” “Why?” “Cameras.” She immediately smiled. He placed one hand around her waist. The cameras flashed. Their first photograph as husband and wife had been taken. Neither of them knew that the photograph would one day become a painful reminder of everything they had lost. --- To be Continued.......