Billionaire heir Alexander Sterling is tired of his mother’s relentless matchmaking with spoiled socialites. In a desperate move to escape, he proposes a contract marriage to Elena Carter, a struggling waitress he met on a drunken night at a restaurant. She sees it as a golden ticket to cover her mom's medical bills, unaware she’s stepping into a life of cold indifference and relentless torment. Bound for three years, their marriage is filled with icy glares and unspoken pain. But in their second year, a mistake leads to an unexpected pregnancy. Fearful of his wrath and threats of Eleanor, Elena hides the truth, enduring his cruelty in silence. As time passes, Alexander begins to feel something he never expected. But pride keeps him from showing it. On the verge of the third year, unable to bear the suffering any longer, Elena disappears, presumed dead. Devastated, Alexander is haunted by regret, not knowing she has survived and given birth to their twins. Years later, fate brings them back together this time, as equals. Wealthy. Independent. A mother of two. Elena is no longer the fragile woman he once controlled. But their reunion is complicated by the arrival of Matteo De Luca, a ruthless Italian billionaire with a vendetta against Alexander and an interest in Elena. With enemies on all sides and unresolved emotions between them, will love conquer all? Or will the past destroy any chance of redemption?
View MoreElena's POV
How did I get myself into this? I stared at the file in my hand, my fingers trembling as I held the pen about to sign a contract stating that I, Elena Carter agree to a three year marriage with this man, Alexander Sterling. Alexander sat across the table eyeing me with an unreadable expression waiting for me to sign it. Three years of my life. Three years as his wife. How did it come to this? My mind flashed back to the moment everything changed. A week ago… The scent of the bleach enveloped my nose. as I scrubbed the marble floors of the estate I was assigned to clean this morning. All these for a worthless pay and the rich people hardly gave tips to appreciate my effort. Oh well! I had to do it to support my mom's medical bills and my brother. My phone buzzed in my pocket, I quickly cleaned my hand on my apron and picked the call. “Elena..” The weak voice on the other end immediately made me tense and worried. It was my mother. “Mum, Is everything okay?.I asked “Come to the hospital…now” Before she ended the call I heard shouting. I didn't even think twice. I removed my apron and gloves, grabbed my bag and quickly left in a hurry not listening to my supervisor’s call. Another pay lost, but my mum's call was more important On getting to the hospital, St Vincent's Hospital. My mum has been receiving treatment from this hospital for as long as I can remember. Ever since she was diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia, a rare blood disorder. I signed in and made my way to her room. I heard shouting as I was close to her door. I got to her room, my mother's weak frame lying on the bed as an elderly woman dressed in a long gown with black wavy hair was shouting at my mother. “You can't be shouting at a Patient like that.” I interrupted. “Elena..dear” My mum called to me. “You must be the daughter, You have not paid for the treatment for two months now. We allowed you but no more! Your mother will be discharged until you make payment.” she stated coldly “You can't just throw my mother out, she needs treatment..” The administrator scoffed“This is not a charity place, Mrs Carter so no payment, no treatment” I was about to snap at her when Doctor Owens, my mum's long time doctor who has been prescribing drugs and treatment for her came. “Elena, I understand you but it's strictly the hospital's policies so we can't continue treatment on your mother, I'm sorry” He calmly told me. The nurses and a few select patient guardians were watching us at this point. The Administrator walked off telling the nurses to get back to work. My mum squeezed my hand, and I looked at her “It's okay Elena” My mum said with her sweet voice as she offered me a weak smile. I smiled at her back but deep down It wasn't okay. They treated my mother like a charity case, a financial burden and it hurt so bad. I held my tears back in as I gently helped her get up from the bed to steady her steps as we made our way out of the hospital. We got to our apartment. Our small apartment with its tattered paint which was already peeling off. The door barely stood on its own and we got inside. The inside was comfy, our sagged couch stood in the middle, with a small coffee table I got on sale. On my right was the bedroom where Ryan and my mother slept. I slept in the living room, to create enough space for them and I didn't mind. The kitchen directly faces the sitting room that only fits one person at a time. I helped my mum on the couch, using the sheets to cover her. I needed to talk to someone. Sophie. On my way out. Ryan was just coming from school. He was in a black hoodie and worn out jeans with his bag hanging loosely on his shoulders. He was angry. Weird. “Ryan…How was school?” He ignored my question“They are not treating mum again right? Ryan asked, looking me straight in the eye with a sad look. “Ryan, it's okay. I'm going to fix this and pay for mum's treatment” I tried explaining to him. “With What..?Your good for nothing pays, you keep working everytime and still mum is dying….,” He shouted, His voice breaking on the verge of tears. His words hurt my chest “I'm trying” He scoffed “No you're not, You're just running in circles and everything happening to mum is because of you” Without another word, he stormed inside slamming the door behind him. I stood there for a moment as the words kept repeating in my head “Because of me”. Ryan blamed me for our mother's sickness and it hurt so much. A tear dropped. I can't let what he said get to me. I went over to see Sophie at the cafe she works at which was directly along my cleaning Agency. The fresh scent of nicely brewed coffee hit me as I entered the cafe. I sighted Sophie attending to a customer. I waved to her, her face lit up as she told someone to cover her shift making her way to me. “Lena!” She was so happy to see me as she hugged me. I just smiled and hugged her back. Sophie Adams has been my best friend since college. We met during a party where Sophie caused a scene throwing a blow to a guy who was trying to harass me. It was hilarious and also sweet because she didn't know me but she stood up for me. After that incident, we became best of friends. Since then Sophie has been my support system, helping in any way she can. “Are you good.?” She asked, noticing my face as she released me. “Not really, They stopped treatment on my mum and literally kicked her out then Ryan is acting up again. I finished taking a seat. “How dare they. You know what, we are going to find a better hospital to treat your mum and Ryan is just being ungrateful. Don't listen to his words, you try so hard working two jobs a day just to make ends meet. We will get through this together okay ” Sophie would go all out for me. She always made me feel better. “Thanks Sophie” I felt so much better.Elena’s POVI stood in the shower, motionless as the water hits my skin, each drop a reminder of my thoughts. How did I let this happen?The night keeps replaying in my head like a broken video player. His touch, His lips. The look in his eyes when he took me to the room and entered me. I wasn't in control, He was. We were both in our right state of mind not under alcohol influence but just two people wanting to feel each other. I can still remember the way my heart fluttered under his stare or the way I pleaded with him to feel him inside me.I lean forward, resting my forehead on the arm, water dripping from my chin. At that moment, I thought there was hope for us, for me and just maybe he would finally accept me but then he shut me down as usual. I slept in his arms, he held on to me throughout the night and just like That, he shattered my heart in less than a second.I didn't say anything or try to fight against what he said. I accepted it because he was right, it didn't mean an
Alexander’s POVThe sun filtered in through the curtains, pulling me out of my dream.Then reality came crashing back.I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. The weight against my chest moved. Her hand. Small, warm. Her leg still tangled with mine under the blanket.Elena.The memories from the night before rushed to me like a wave I hadn’t prepared for. The way she had kissed me. The softness of her lips. The way her body had responded to every touch. Her eyes wide, tear-streaked, and somehow still full of trust.What the hell was I doing?I shouldn’t have touched her.And yet I had. Over and over. With so much desperation than I cared to admit.My hands on her body, feeling and touching every inch of her. It wasn’t supposed to happen. None of it.I was tired. Vulnerable. I let my guard slip. For a moment, just one damn moment, I allowed myself to feel something. And I let her in.Which was Stupid of me.Now I had made a big mistake.I slowly shifted, trying not to wake her. Her
Elena’s POVThe lights, the laughter, the music, It had all gone blurry the moment Victoria poured that drink on me. It hadn't just ruined my dress, it exposed me, made me feel small and vulnerable.I knew she did it on purpose.It wasn't just the embarrassment. It was the humiliation I felt. The fact that no one stepped in. Not even my own husband, Alexnader tried to stand up for me. At least If Sophie was here, She would have stood up for me.I ran without looking back, I didn't know where I was running to but I just had to leave that place and so I ran.my heart was pounding, my face burned with heat as I pushed open the guesthouse door and slammed it behind me. It was the closest door to me.I sank to the floor, the torn fabric if my dress packed around my legs. My arms still clutching it to my body to keep what little dignity I had left. I felt small, so small and ashamed. I was alone in that moment.I buried my face in my hands and let the tears fall freely.This wasn't a life. T
Alexander’s POVToday is the day of the annual ball which we hold once every year. It was a big event for the sterling empire, a celebration of how far we have come. Reymond started this tradition but after he was gone, it lived on.Eleanor always made sure she decorated everything to her satisfaction. The Sterling mansion had never looked more expensive.That wasn't a compliment. All the chandeliers were polished and sparkling, the staircase was wrapped in golden vines, and roses, white and red lined every inch of the hall like it was a royal coronation. The place was glowing. Eleanor outdid herself. Again.Last time, She was the one that planned it and it was exquisite. After the gala, people talked about how organised and fancy everything was from the decorations to the food. Eleanor lived for all those talks, that was why she made sure she was the one to decorate every year.I stood at the top of the staircase, watching the staff as they rushed to do one thing or the other. S
Elena’s POVMonths have passed and still I feel lonely. I enjoy the luxury of getting anything I want, eating anything I want, being able to afford my brother, mum and Sophie's needs but still it's an endless cycle of loneliness. Alexander doesn't even know I still exist. I haven't seen him for a while now. Only Maria keeps me company.Sophie's birthday was today so I decided to do something special for her and forget all about my worries. It seems the annual gala that happens every year which Eleanor told me about is today also.I planned to see Sophie, take her out, then later I will get ready for the gala. I needed something, anything to take my mind off these lonely thoughts. At least, I would get to see Alexander after months of not seeing him well.I picked up my phone and called Sophie.“Hey Soph. Where are you??” “My man's place.” She said, giggling, sounding warm and carefree. “Urgh.. alright, get dressed and meet me in an hour at the location I'II send to you now.”“Ouu..
Eleanor's POV“So?” I inquired from Alexander immediately he arrived. I needed to know the outcome. I had been anxious ever since but by his relaxed body moves, he won. I greeted him with my usual cool smile. “I take it went well?”“I won.” He said simply.I guessed right.I sighed. “Good, that's settled then.”I watched as Alexander went to the bar side and poured himself a drink. His movement slow and smooth. But I knew him well enough to sense the tension beneath his composed facade.He had won.The board meeting had gone in his favor. But the question lingered; Why did he call for a board meeting when he knew he was going to lose?Reymond never losses or does things like that except it was part of his main plan. Or a distraction.That man. That was one reason I fell for him.But now, i despised him a lot.Reymond thought he could just come back after all these years and take what was ours? He thought he could use Alexander and snatch the company away from him. The same company h
Alexander’s POVThe boardroom was silent. This air was tended and thick, it almost seemed suffocating. I sat at the head of the long polished table, my fingers drumming on the table. I had prepared for this moment but now it was taking long.Across me, the board members sat silently waiting for the meeting to commence. Then the meeting was about to commence, the board members murmured among themselves. Their expressions blank and unreadable, they were all people who knew reymond, had worked alongside him before. Loyalty in a corporate setting was always shaky, never absolute. People changed who they were loyal to depending on the better fit for the position and the person they get the most benefits from. Money and power had a way of turning people's mind.We were waiting for the person that made the complaint and arranged for this board meeting, Reymond. Where was He? My patience was wearing thin.I glanced at Victor, who stood beside me, analysing and watching everyone. Victor had sp
Alexander’s POV“I would rather show you in person,” He said cautiously and with a sense of urgency. “Where are you?” I asked him.“At the office, Sir.”“Okay, meet me in the conference room.” I said, then ended the call.Victor’s voice never sounded this urgent so I knew it had to be serious for him to call me like this.I put on my clothes, took my car keys and drove to the office. Normally, I would tell my driver to drive me but I knew it was a private matter so I decided to go alone.When I arrived, Victor was already waiting, a folder in his hands and a grim expression on his face.“What did you find?” I asked him, my patience wearing thin.Victor opened the folder and spread the documents across the table.“These messages were sent to Reymond from someone inside the company,” He said. “At first, we thought it was just an employee, but the level of detail in these encrypted messages suggest something else.”I frowned, looking at the documents.“What kind of detail?”“Schedules,
Elena’s POVRyan walked beside me as we left the hospital. The silence surrounding us was heavy, a weight I couldn't lift no matter how I tried.The doctor’s words kept echoing in my mind. “Her health is declining. Prepare for the possibility that she may not have much time left.” I wanted to scream, to blame someone for my mother’s health declining but I had to be strong for Ryan. He had only me and if I broke down, he would too. Mum wouldn’t want that.I placed a hand on Ryan’s arm as we reached the car. “Let’s go home.” I said softly.He nodded. His face was pale and neutral.Neither of us spoke throughout the drive home. We just sat there staring outside but the silence spoke volumes.By the time we got home. My real home, the apartment I lived in for half of my life before I got married. Ryan collapsed onto the couch. “I don’t know what to do, Elena.” He finally said, his voice breaking a little. “I don’t want to lose her.”“We won’t Ryan. We’re not giving up.” I said firmly. “
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