The Billionaire's Contracted Bride

Chapter 3:The Devil’s Proposal

Kate's POV

“Who’s there?” the man growled, voice low and rough.

I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. My throat had gone dry, while my mind raced for any escape, any plan, but all I could do for the moment was hold my breath and hope he didn’t notice me.

The man moved closer, each step slow and deliberate. I could hear the click of the gun as he shifted it slightly in his hands.

I pressed myself farther back into the shadows, trying to make myself smaller, invisible. My eyes darted to the desk, the drawers, anything I could use. But the filing cabinet was my only cover.

The flash drive burned against my chest through my jacket pocket. I had it. I had proof. I just had to survive to save John.

Then… he spoke again.

“Come out. I know you’re here.”

His voice sent shivers down my spine. Calm, dangerous, confident. I swallowed hard. I could feel my legs trembling. Every instinct told me to run, but I knew I’d never make it past him with that gun. I had to think. I had to be smart.

I slowly slid my hand down to the edge of the filing cabinet, my fingers brushing against the floor. Maybe… maybe I could use it to push something, distract him. Anything.

Another step. His boots echoed across the polished floor. My chest tightened. My pulse was a drum in my ears. I counted in my head… one, two, three… and then a plan formed.

As he took another slow step, I lunged sideways, knocking a small stack of papers from the desk. They scattered across the floor with a loud crash.

He flinched. Just for a second. That was all I needed. I moved as fast as I could, grabbing the flash drive from my jacket. I ran toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest, each beat louder than the last.

But just as I reached the handle… the man moved faster than I expected. He grabbed my arm with his right hand. And covered my mouth with the left.

“Aaahh…” I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

He now has me under his control. Strong, silent, and dangerous. He did not say a word, he just dragged me across the room to a more private room. My knees scraped the floor, and it hurts badly.

“Let her go…Victor.” A strange voice, deep and calm, spoke.

Victor obeyed. He let go off me sharply. I staggered, looking around, and that was when I saw him.

Rodrigo Lyncas.

He sat at his desk. Calm. Smiling just a little. His dark eyes locked on mine, sharp and unreadable. His jaw was strong, his cheekbones perfect, and even in the dim light, I could see how handsome he was, like someone carved from marble.

“Kate Vale,” he said. My blood froze. He knew me.

Victor threw the flash drive on the desk. Rodrigo picked it up slowly. His eyes never left mine.

“You came for this,” he said softly. “For your brother... Isn't it? I know why you are here.”

I wanted to talk, but I could not. My throat was dry. Too dry.

He leaned forward. “I can save him,” he said. “Even Rosalie Vale. But there is a price.”

How on earth does he know so much about me? Has he been watching me or what? My heart stopped.

“I need a wife,” he said. “A contract. One year. You do this, they live. You refuse… they die eventually.”

I shook my head slowly. “I…” I swallowed, “I can’t. I would rather die than belong to you Rodrigo Lyncas.”

Rodrigo watched me for a long moment. Then he nodded. “Very well. Let her go.” He raised his hands like he had accepted what I just said.

Victor pushed me to my feet. Before I could react, he lifted me onto his shoulder. My stomach dropped. My last moment on earth… I was sure of it. There was no way the ruthless Rodrigo Lyncas would let me go alive.

I shut my eyes and whispered, my voice trembling. "Lord… accept my soul… console and heal Rosalie… set John fre…"

"Shut the f**k up!" Victor snapped, cutting me off.

And then… he threw me out the gate. Hard, just like that. No police. No threats. No warning.

I hit the ground and scrambled away, my heart hammering. I stayed low, watching him. Maybe… maybe he’d change his mind and finish me. But he didn’t. He disappeared back inside the penthouse.

I dropped to my knees for a second, shaking. “Thank… thank you, Jesus…” I muttered, before finally taking off, running as fast as I could to the car and speeding into the night.

Minutes later, I was back at Greywood Lane. My chest burned, my eyes scanning every corner.

I rushed inside to see my mother sitting on the couch.

She looked up. Her face was pale, her eyes wide… and then she began crying, as if she knew I didn’t have the evidence to save John.

“I… I was caught, Mom,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“I know, Kate,” she said softly, as she pulled me into her arms, and we cried together. Warm tears, shaking shoulders, silent sobs. But even as we cried, I didn’t lose hope. I had to find another way. I had to save them both.

Two days later, a message came. John’s execution date. Soon. Too soon. And then it hit me hard that I had no choice. I had to go back. And this time… I could not fail.

The next morning, I stood outside the penthouse again. My hands shook, my heart raced, but I had no other option.

Inside, Rodrigo waited. Calm. Cold. Perfect. I hated him, but I needed him. I’d heard a lot about him: mean, ruthless, all of sorts.. and now this.

He looked at me. “Decided?”

I swallowed. “Yes.”

A secretary handed me a folder. Inside were papers that told a lot about my life on the line. I opened it slowly. The contract: one year. My name, his name, rules, and everything I was not allowed to break.

“You will save my mother… her dialysis, she–”

“I do all of it.”

“And John?” I asked quietly.

“He will be set free.”

I hesitated for a while. Every second felt heavy. My mother, my brother… everything depended on me now.

I signed it.

Rodrigo’s eyes darkened. “Good,” he said. “You know the rules.”

I nodded. Fear and anger burned inside me. I had to survive, and I had to protect my family.

After three days, we wedded in a grand, lavish hall. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, gold decorations gleamed everywhere, and soft music floated in the air. Guests whispered and stared.

I wore a white dress that cost more than my mother and brother could ever dream of. Rodrigo looked… perfect. Sharp suit, dark hair slicked back, eyes cold but commanding. Handsome as ever.

The ceremony was flawless. Every detail planned. Every smile rehearsed. I walked down the aisle alone, and my heart ached. My mother and brother were not there. My eyes searched the crowd for them, but there was no one I loved.

Rodrigo waited at the altar, calm and powerful. He didn’t smile. He didn’t reach for my hand. He simply watched, like a king inspecting his territory.

I swallowed hard and whispered a prayer, hoping my mother and John could somehow feel me through this nightmare.

The priest spoke, the vows were said, the rings exchanged. Guests clapped politely. Flashing cameras captured every moment, but I felt hollow inside.

Immediately I said “I do,” Rodrigo leaned close, his hand brushing mine. “Remember the rules,” he whispered. His voice was smooth, low, and dangerous.

I nodded, heart racing. I had just signed my life away. And the people I loved most, weren’t there to see it.