BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE CONTRACT

Chapter 3 – The Contract

Olivia's heart pounded as she looked at the man standing a few steps away. He was taller than she had imagined, with sharp features and an unreadable expression that made him seem completely untouchable. His perfectly tailored black suit and calm posture gave him the presence of someone who was used to being obeyed. This had to be Ethan Carter. The billionaire whose name appeared in newspapers almost every week. She quickly lowered her eyes, suddenly aware that her simple dress and worn shoes looked painfully out of place inside the luxurious mansion. Ethan glanced at her only once before turning to his grandfather. "This is the woman you chose." William Carter smiled. "Her name is Olivia Reed." Ethan nodded slightly but said nothing to Olivia. Instead he walked to the window with both hands in his pockets as though this meeting were no different from any other business discussion. Olivia tightened her fingers around her handbag. "Chairman Carter with all due respect I think there has been a misunderstanding. I appreciate everything you've done for me but marriage isn't something you can arrange between strangers." William chuckled softly. "Normally I would agree with you. But this isn't an ordinary marriage."

Ethan finally spoke. His deep voice was calm but distant. "It's a contract." Olivia looked at him. "A contract." "One year. After that we go our separate ways." His words carried no emotion, as though he were discussing a business merger instead of a marriage. "Why would anyone agree to something like that" she asked quietly. Ethan looked directly into her eyes for the first time. "Because both sides benefit." William reached for a folder resting on the coffee table and handed it to Olivia. She opened it slowly. Inside was a neatly printed agreement. The first page read Marriage Contract in bold letters. Her breathing became uneven as she continued reading. Ethan remained standing by the window while his grandfather explained. "You will legally marry Ethan and live with him for one year. During that time you will attend family events and public functions whenever necessary. In return every expense you have including your brother's medical treatment education and future living costs will be fully covered." Olivia froze. "You know about Mason." William nodded gently. "I asked someone to learn about your situation before inviting you here." She looked down again. The amount written under compensation was enough to pay for Mason's surgery several times over. It was enough to clear every debt she owed and even return to university someday. It was more money than she had ever dreamed of. Yet something about it made her uncomfortable. "There must be another way," she whispered.

"There isn't," Ethan replied. "I need a wife. You need money. This solves both our problems." His tone was cold, almost mechanical. Olivia lifted her head. "Marriage isn't supposed to be a business deal." "Maybe not for you." Ethan's expression remained unchanged. "For me it's simply another contract." His words stung more than she expected. She had always believed marriage meant trust, love and building a life together. Hearing someone reduce it to paperwork made her chest tighten. William noticed the sadness in her eyes. "Miss Reed, no one is forcing you to accept. If you walk away today no one will stop you." Olivia nodded slowly. She appreciated his honesty.

Ethan crossed the room and placed another document beside her. "Read the conditions first." She looked through the pages carefully.

Rule One. The marriage will last exactly one year.

Rule Two. Both parties will respect each other's privacy.

Rule Three. There will be separate bedrooms.

Rule Four. Neither party will interfere in the other's personal life without permission.

Rule Five. The contract must remain confidential.

At the bottom of the final page was a blank space for their signatures.

Olivia closed the folder. "And after one year." Ethan answered immediately. "We divorce. You'll receive everything promised and we'll never see each other again." His certainty made it sound as though the future had already been decided.

Silence settled over the room.

Olivia thought about Mason smiling over a bowl of instant noodles. She remembered the overdue rent notices hidden inside a kitchen drawer and the doctor's warning that time was running out. Every option she had tried had failed. This impossible offer was the only door that had opened.

She stood from the sofa. "May I have one day to think about it." William smiled kindly. "Of course." Ethan simply nodded. "Take all the time you need. But my deadline is in three weeks."

Daniel escorted Olivia outside. As the car drove away she looked back at the enormous mansion growing smaller behind her. She still couldn't believe what had happened.

Back inside the library William turned to Ethan. "Well." Ethan adjusted his watch. "She'll refuse." "Why do you think that." "She looked at the contract like it offended her." William smiled knowingly. "Or perhaps she was looking at the man behind it."

Ethan said nothing.

At that same moment Olivia reached into her handbag and unfolded the hospital bill once again.

Her phone rang.

It was the hospital.

She answered immediately.

The nurse's trembling voice made her blood run cold.

"Miss Reed... your brother collapsed at school. We're taking him to the emergency room now."

The phone slipped from her trembling fingers. Her world seemed to stop as the car sped toward the hospital.