The Billionaire's Bargain

NELSON'S POV“But dad, I'm already 28, what else is the problem? Didn't you say I'd be legalized as the heir to your inheritance when I clock 22?” I snapped at my father, my eyes burning with anger.“But your mom says you must get married, son,” he replied pleadingly. “You see it's for your best, we need to ensure that you grow into a responsible child.”I kept quiet, I didn't say anything to his last words. Somehow I was angry at my father but I wasn't sure why. Maybe because he was too lenient to have allowed a woman control his life or because he couldn't fight to protect his son's interest, perhaps, because she was not my biological mother?Growing up, my father had always been too gentle. Unlike other rich business men that I knew who were always powerful and ruthless, my dad was the complete opposite.“I can't continue with this, dad. Why can't you all consider my interest too? Would you have me marry the wrong partner because of inheritance?”“Your mother knows best. You shoul

AMELIA'S POV“What condition is that?” Clara shouted, walking forward and ready to negotiate.He snapped his fingers, and the young man from earlier appeared again, placing a document in his hand. “Here is the condition,” he muttered.I took the paper, glancing through it with my heart racing. Clara leaned in on my shoulder, stretching to see the content of the paper. I never realized I was still standing until I saw something shocking on the paper - a contract marriage with rules attached.I looked up from the paper, his gaze locked into mine and he seemed to have read my mind correctly, seemingly answering the question that lingered on my mind. “Yes, be my wife for two years and I'll handle A-L-L of your expenses,” he grinned.For seconds, I was torn between surprise and indecisiveness. Then it began to make sense to me; he had probably inquired from Leo about the reason for my sad countenance earlier.“And the rules?” Clara asked.“Yes, the rules must be strictly adhered to: No un

AMELIA'S POV As if yielding to the figure's command, my legs refused to move and my body adhered to the spot. “You are such an obedient young woman, I'm not going to have much trouble with you I guess,” the voice drew nearer and it became familiar. I felt a soft, cold touch on my body, such that I felt earlier that day, my body vibrated in response to the touch. I turned my head slightly, afraid of who the stranger would turn out to be. Alas! Nelson was standing right behind me, his face a reflection of indifference. “What are you doing here? Your driver is supposed to pick me tomorrow,” I said, as if reminding him, even with my teeth clattering in fear. "I needed to be sure you're not trying to play smart," his voice dropped in seriousness. I kept quiet, deliberately letting the silence grow. He rested his hand on my shoulder still, his intimidating height seemed to bring succor. "I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional," I tried to refrain, realizing I had unconsciously allo

AMELIA'S POV"Get someone to stay with her father at the hospital and pay whatever cost it incurs," Nelson told Bryan as he marched away in anger. "Make sure to keep her locked in her room till I decide her punishment," he added. I remained quiet as Bryan dragged me away. His reaction revealed that he was torn between helplessness and pity. He was helpless because he couldn't act contrary to Nelson's order yet he felt pity for me. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I just have to do this," he pleaded as we drew nearer to the entrance to my room. He gave me a little push at the back and I could hear the thudding sound of the door behind me. 'You are a strong woman, you can make things happen for yourself. You don't always have to do it in people's way,' a voice swirled continuously in my head. I had a quick flashback of how everything had unfolded earlier. It was that time of the month, and I had suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom as Sandro and I were about to leave. With Nelson's a

I stood there dejected. I stared blankly at the picture of me that hung on the wall and my headache in response to the agony I felt. I felt some strange movement across my feet to my waist, which made me feel so numb. Such that I felt the day the doctor told me about the surgery.“Promise you what!” I bellowed, hands clutching my chest as if to suppress the sudden pain that I just developed. “I would be a fool to trust you again. You've been lying to me, father. How could you?” I stated, tears streaming down my cheeks.My father dragged towards me, his movement frail and infirm. “Amelia, things are not the way you think. The document is not about you,” he rubbed his hands across his eyes as if fighting back some tears. I moved closer to him, my eyes red from tears yet burning with anger. “So who is it about? Tell me all you have been hiding.”The tension in the room sprouted dense, our gaze locked onto each other as I anticipated his next words with my heart beating in thousands.“Am