Forced to Marry the Ruthless Billionaire

Chapter 4 You belong to me now

Aria’s pov

Laughter echoed through the vast Carter mansion. Unforgiving, harsh and piercing. Sophia leaned back, lips curling cruelly as she played with her drink . “Now let’s see how she plans to rival me,” she said proudly. I tried to ignore her, but her words pierced me. “It serves her right, she has to pay for what her mother did to you. Sophia continued, head slightly tilted. “The way he stared at me… like he wanted to find answers in my eyes,” Emma lifted an eyebrow, crossing her legs with quiet elegance“Don’t worry, he believes Aria was the one driving?” “Of course,” Sophia laughed, eyes shining with ugliness. “Why ruin my life when Aria can take the blame?” Her mother’s lips curled in pride.

“Smart girl,” Sophia whispered, leaning closer. “And the best part? He believed me.” Silence fell, then both laughed together.

“Now she must marry a man who can’t walk,” Sophia mocked. “While I keep my freedom… and her man.” Her mother raised her glass. “To sacrifice,” she toasted. Sophia clinked her glass against hers. “To Aria.”

I felt frozen. My chest tightened. The file I’d seen yesterday burned in my mind,every detail of my life exposed, controlled, and recorded. A new set of papers sat heavy on the table. “The marriage contract,” Liam said calmly. I gripped it. “This is insane,” I whispered. “Sign it,” he commanded. I snapped my head up. “I haven’t even read it!”

“Then read it,” he said, eyes steady.

Silence filled the room as I turned page after page. Each line colder than the last. No contact with Ethan Lincoln… I read quietly, gripping the paper tighter. “Stop talking to him ,” Liam said. “Now.” My jaw clenched, I turned another page. You may not enter my private rooms… I flipped again. You will not touch my personal things… “What am I supposed to be?” I snapped. “Your prisoner?”

“No,” he said coolly. “A responsibility.”

My chest tightened. I kept reading. You will not disobey my orders… My heart raced. Then:You have no say over my personal matters. No emotional connection. No expectation of love.

“Don't flatter yourself.” I said, my laugh cutting. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m not into cold hearts like yours. Something in him shifted. His face darkened, eyes dangerous. “Be careful,” he whispered, tense and low. I refused to look away. “You don’t get to enter my room either,” I said. “I keep my distance. I won’t make a scene, you won’t have to be ashamed to be seen with me in. I’m not the one who’s embarrassed.”

He hesitated for a second, something shifting in his eyes. “I’m not the one who’s ashamed,” I said quietly. There was silence. Liam leaned back, watching me like he’d never seen me before.

“You talk too much,” he said. “And you try to control too much,” I fired back. A small, joyless smile touched his lips. “ Very good,” he muttered. “You’re anything but dull.”

I studied the contract. My chest ached. This wasn’t just a marriage,it was a cage. My fingers hesitated over the pen, then froze. “What if I refuse?” I asked slowly. “Your family loses everything,” he said immediately. “Your mum's legacy, you want to waste it?” He said, sticking hard. “And Ethan,” he added coldly, “won’t be safe from either.”

That was enough. My heart sank. My hand shook, but my eyes stayed steady. I signed. The pen’s scratch felt loud in the tense air. Liam watched every move. “You learn quickly,” he said. “No,” I whispered. “I have no choice.”

I stood to leave, but his voice stopped me.

“One more rule.” I froze in place,turning slowly. His gaze met mine,cold, possessive and unforgiving.

“You belong to me now. Legally, we are married, Aria and you are stuck with me.” My heart skipped. “Always remember that.” Fear and anger gripped me, but I held my ground, looking him straight in the eye. “I am not your tool.” His eyes turned cold again. Not anger this time. Something more dangerous. Interest.