The Billionaire's Contracted Bride

Kate's POV The pounding on the door came at exactly 2:14 a.m. It wasn’t a knock, rather it was a violent strike… loud, sudden, and angry. The sound ripped me out of sleep. My heart jumped. My chest tightened. Before I could even breathe, the pounding came again, harder this time, shaking the door like someone was trying to break it down. I sat up in bed at once. My heart slammed hard against my chest, fast and painful. The old wall clock hanging in the sitting room kept ticking in the dark, the sound too loud. Each second felt slow, heavy, like it was warning me that something bad was about to happen. Then the sound came again. Bang! Bang! Bang! “Police!” a voice shouted. “Open the door right now!” “Oh s**t,” I muttered. Why were the police here at this hour? Are they here for John? Has John done something wrong? My thoughts ran wild as fear filled my chest. I stood up slowly and walked toward the door, careful not to make a sound. That was when I saw John. He stood frozen in the doorway of the small kitchen, with a glass of water shaking violently in his hand. “Kate,” he whispered. “I didn’t do anything… I’m innocent” “What are you talking about, John?” I whispered, my voice low and shaky. “There has to be a mistake. They must be at the wrong house. It’s going to be okay.” I moved closer to him as I spoke. “Go to your room. Now,” I said firmly. “I’ll get the door.” I patted his shoulder. He froze, looking at me like he wanted to say something, then he slowly turned and moved away. I reached the door. My fingers were inches from the handle when it happened. The door burst open, wood flew everywhere as the lock gave way. The force of it knocked me back as fear crashed into me. Armed men in dark uniforms rushed into the house. Their heavy boots hit the floor with loud thuds. Guns were raised as sharp voices filled every corner of our small, worn-down home. “Hands up! Now!” one of them yelled. I froze for a second, then slowly raised my hands. “Please… my mother is sick,” I begged. “She needs rest. Don’t wake her…” The men didn’t care. Two officers rushed past me so fast, they didn’t even look my way. “John Vale! On the ground!” one shouted. John stumbled back, eyes wide. “Wait… what’s going on?” he asked, fidgeting nervously, but they didn’t answer. Before he could say more, two of them grabbed him roughly and started pulling him toward the door. “John! I told you to go to your room!” I shouted, panic rising. “No! Let him go!” I lunged forward and grabbed one officer’s arm. “You can’t just take my brother! Show me a warrant!” The officer yanked his arm free, but I grabbed it again, holding on as tightly as I could. My hands were shaking, and my voice trembled. “He’s innocent! Please… you’re making a mistake!” I shouted. This time, he shoved me hard into the wall. Pain shot through my shoulder. I gasped and stumbled, hitting the floor with a thud. “Stay back, ma’am!” he barked, his voice cold and sharp. John struggled against the men holding him. “Kate… call a lawyer! Call someone! Please!” I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding, my mind racing. I wanted to reach him, to protect him, but there were too many of them, and they were too strong. I felt so helpless… but I couldn’t give up. Not now. Before I could do anything, a hand grabbed John and slammed his face against the floor. Cold metal cuffs snapped tightly around his wrists. He gasped, trying to pull free, but it was of no use. “John!” Rosalie’s weak voice came from the bedroom. “John, what’s happening?” I ran to my mother, pushing myself between her and the chaos unfolding in the house. Rosalie was sitting up in bed, pale and trembling. The dialysis tube was taped carefully to her arm, and I could see how weak she looked. I dropped to my knees beside her, gripping her hands. My voice shook as I tried to stay calm. “It’s okay, Mama,” I whispered, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “It’s just a mistake… I’ll fix it. I promise.” She looked at me, fear flashing in her eyes. I brushed a strand of damp hair from her forehead, feeling the cold sweat on her skin. I wanted to scream, to fight, to do anything, but all I could do was kneel there and pretend I could make it right. “Please go back to sleep.. Mom.” I rushed back into the sitting room, my heart pounding. Thank God… they were still there. One of the officers stepped forward instantly, holding a folded piece of paper in his hand. His eyes were cold, hard. “John Vale,” he read flatly. “You are under arrest for leaking classified corporate information, conspiracy, and endangering national security.” John's eyes widened. “What?!” “How?!” “That’s insane!” I shouted. “He works in IT support, he doesn’t even have access to…” “This isn’t up for debate.” They dragged John to his feet, his eyes locked onto mine. Fear flashed, then something else. Warning. “Kate,” he said quickly. “Listen to me. I didn’t do it. Someone used my access. Someone powerful.” “Who?” I demanded. “John, who?” Before he could answer, one officer shoved him toward the door. “Move!” I ran after them onto the porch. Rain was pouring down, cold and heavy, soaking my hair and clothes. The drops stung my skin, but I didn’t care. “Please!” I screamed. “He’s innocent! You’re making a mistake!” John turned one last time as they pushed him into the back of the black van. “Kate!” he shouted. “If anything happens to me… don’t trust anyone, especially the–” The door slammed shut. The van roared to life and disappeared down the street. Just Instantly, silence fell over Greywood Lane again. I stood there, shaking, rain dripping from my fingers. Behind me, Rosalie collapsed onto the couch, gasping for breath. “Mama!” I ran inside, dropping to my knees. “Stay with me… please…” Rosalie clutched my wrist weakly. “John… they took him?” I nodded, tears spilling freely now. Rosalie’s hand slipped from mine. My chest tightened. Her breathing slowed… then stuttered. “No,” I whispered, panic rising in my throat. “No… no… no…” Then my phone buzzed. Once. A message from an unknown number. I stared at the screen, my hands trembling so badly I could barely hold it. Finally, I opened the message. [You will lose him forever if you do nothing… He is innocent. The proof to free him is on a small flash drive. It’s black, about the size of a finger, with tiny red markings carved into it. It’s in the study on the second floor of Rodrigo Lyncas’ penthouse. Kate… you have to save John. __Anonymous] Haa! Who was this? How did she even know about all of this? I looked at my mother, unconscious, barely breathing. Fear hit me like ice. Then I looked at the shattered door, splintered wood and chaos everywhere. And finally… I looked at the dark, almost impossible choice ahead. I and mom need you… John. This can't be happening.. I have to save my only brother. I sobbed inside. “I’m going to get the proof John… no matter what it takes.” I whispered.