The Billionaire's Contract Bride

‎The Billionaire's Contract Bride ‎ ‎BY RAINBOW$ ‎ ‎Chapter 1: ‎ ‎Rain had a way of making Manhattan look beautiful. ‎ ‎Dark clouds settled over the sky and the streets shimmered beneath thousands of reflected lights, it felt almost magical. Yellow taxis glided through puddles. People hurried beneath umbrellas, distant wail of sirens were heard and the low rumble of traffic. ‎ ‎For most people, it was simply another rainy Tuesday. ‎ ‎For Sophia Carter, it was the day her life fell apart. ‎ ‎She stood on the thirty-second floor of the Morgan & Hayes Financial Building, staring out through the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city she had once believed held endless possibilities. ‎ ‎Three years ago, she'd walked through these doors with excitement, carrying nothing but a laptop bag and had dreams of building a better life for her family. ‎ ‎Now she was leaving with a cardboard box. ‎ ‎"Miss Carter?" ‎ ‎The voice behind her was gentle. ‎ ‎Sophia turned to face the Human Resources manager, Linda Morrison, a woman in her early fifties whose expression held genuine regret. ‎ ‎"I'm truly sorry." ‎ ‎Sophia managed a small smile. ‎ ‎"I know." ‎ ‎Linda sighed. ‎ ‎"If it were my decision, your name wouldn't have been on that list." ‎ ‎Sophia lowered her eyes. ‎ ‎"But it wasn't." ‎ ‎"No." ‎ ‎Silence filled the room. ‎ ‎The air conditioning hummed softly above them. ‎ ‎Outside, thunder rolled across the sky. ‎ ‎Linda slid a white envelope across the table. ‎ ‎"Your final paycheck." ‎ ‎Sophia picked it up carefully. ‎ ‎"And this contains your severance package, recommendation letter, and details about your benefits." ‎ ‎"Thank you." ‎ ‎"I've read your performance reports," Linda continued. "You were one of our hardest-working employees." ‎ ‎Sophia laughed quietly, though there was no joy in it. ‎ ‎"I guess hard work doesn't always guarantee security." ‎ ‎Linda didn't argue. ‎ ‎Because it was true. ‎ ‎The company had lost a major client. Budgets were cut. Departments were merged. ‎ ‎Someone had to go. ‎ ‎Today... ‎ ‎That someone was Sophia. ‎ ‎She stood, balancing the cardboard box against her hip. ‎ ‎"I appreciate everything." ‎ ‎Linda stepped forward and hugged her. ‎ ‎"I'm sure you'll get back on your feet. You're a very strong young lady" ‎ ‎"I hope so." ‎ ‎Sophia walked toward the glass doors. ‎ ‎Coworkers stared at her as she stepped across the office ‎ ‎Some looked guilty. ‎ ‎Others looked relieved it hadn't been them. ‎ ‎Near the elevators, her best friend and closest colleague, Emma, hurried over. ‎ ‎"Sophia!" ‎ ‎Without warning, Emma wrapped her in a hug. ‎ ‎"I can't believe they're letting you go." ‎ ‎Sophia smiled weakly. ‎ ‎"Apparently they can." ‎ ‎"This isn't fair." ‎ ‎"When has life ever been fair?" ‎ ‎Emma's eyes glistened. ‎ ‎"What are you going to do?" ‎ ‎"I honestly don't know." ‎ ‎Emma reached into her handbag and pulled out a folded piece of paper. ‎ ‎"My cousin works at another company." ‎ ‎Sophia accepted it. ‎ ‎"They're hiring administrative assistants." ‎ ‎"You should apply." ‎ ‎"I will." ‎ ‎Emma hesitated. ‎ ‎"If you need anything..." ‎ ‎Sophia squeezed her friend's hand. ‎ ‎"Thank you." ‎ ‎"Alright I'll see you later" ‎ ‎The elevator doors opened with a soft chime. ‎ ‎Sophia stepped inside. ‎ ‎As the doors slowly closed, she caught one last glimpse of the office where she'd spent countless late nights, skipped lunches, and celebrated promotions with colleagues. ‎ ‎Then the doors shut. ‎ ‎It was over. ‎ ‎... ‎ ‎The lobby buzzed with lots of activities. ‎ ‎Business executives hurriedly leaving or coming in through revolving doors while receptionists answered ringing phones. ‎ ‎Sophia walked past the reception desk for what she knew would be the last time. ‎ ‎The security guard smiled sadly. ‎ ‎"Leaving already, Miss Carter?" ‎ ‎She nodded. ‎ ‎"I guess this is goodbye." ‎ ‎He removed his cap respectfully. ‎ ‎"You were always kind to everyone here." ‎ ‎"Thank you." ‎ ‎"I hope things work out." ‎ ‎"So do I." ‎ ‎Outside, a cool gust of wind greeted her. ‎ ‎Rain immediately soaked the sleeves of her coat. ‎ ‎She opened her umbrella and looked back at the skyscraper towering above her. ‎ ‎Three years. ‎ ‎Gone in less than thirty minutes. ‎ ‎Her phone vibrated. ‎ ‎The screen displayed one word. ‎ ‎Grandma. ‎ ‎Sophia closed her eyes before answering. ‎ ‎"Hi, Grandma." ‎ ‎"My dear! Have you eaten lunch?" ‎ ‎Sophia smiled despite herself. ‎ ‎Her grandmother always asked about food before anything else. ‎ ‎"Not yet." ‎ ‎"You work too hard." ‎ ‎"I'm fine." ‎ ‎"Don't forget your interview tomorrow." ‎ ‎Sophia looked at the cloudy sky. ‎ ‎The lie came easier than she expected. ‎ ‎"I won't." ‎ ‎"Good." ‎ ‎There was a brief pause. ‎ ‎Then her grandmother spoke more quietly. ‎ ‎"Daniel tried not to worry me, but I know he's anxious." ‎ ‎Sophia's grip tightened on the phone. ‎ ‎"The school called again." ‎ ‎"I know." ‎ ‎"The tuition deadline is next Friday." ‎ ‎"I'll take care of it." ‎ ‎"You always say that." ‎ ‎"And I always do." ‎ ‎Her grandmother chuckled softly. ‎ ‎"That's because you're the strongest woman I know." ‎ ‎Sophia bit her lip. ‎ ‎If only her grandmother knew the truth. ‎ ‎There was no job. ‎ ‎No guaranteed income. ‎ ‎Just bills waiting to be paid. ‎ ‎After ending the call, Sophia slipped the phone back into her pocket. ‎ ‎She looked inside the cardboard box. ‎ ‎A framed picture of her family. ‎ ‎A coffee mug that read Dream Big. ‎ ‎A notebook filled with ideas. ‎ ‎A small cactus in a painted pot. ‎ ‎Her younger brother had made it in art class when he was twelve. ‎ ‎She smiled. ‎ ‎"I'm not giving up," she whispered to herself. ‎ ‎"No matter how hard this gets." ‎ ‎Little did she know, before the day was over, fate was already arranging a meeting that would change the course of her life forever. ‎ ‎The rain droplets soaked her hair and clothes, but she barely noticed. ‎ ‎She continued walking. ‎ ‎Every step felt heavier than the last. ‎