“Help me, please,” Bella pleaded, grasping his hands. His dark eyes, devoid of warmth, pierced through hers with an unsettling coldness. "Why should I mess with those goons to help you?" he asked callously. “I’ll do anything you say,” she said without thinking, desperate. “Just save me from them.” He demanded something that Bella had never anticipated even in her dreams. A contract marriage! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bella Dawn was already in distress to pay her step father’s debts. To add her misery, her mother was diagnosed with liver disease and needed immediate transplant. Where would she get that much money? Then, like a cruel twist of fate, she accidentally encountered a handsome man, Theodore Reid, the enigmatic CEO of Ace Group. Rumors said that he was a ruthless businessman with a heart as cold as ice. Yet, to Bella, he was kind, rescuing her from the clutches of those who sought to exploit her. She was grateful to him until he demanded something weird, shattering her pervious assumptions. He wanted to marry her. No He wanted a contract marriage. In exchange, he would take care of her mother's treatment and compensate her generously at the end of their arrangement. For Theodore, it was a solution born out of necessity, a means to appease his grandfather's demands for an heir while he searched for the one who had once saved him, his angel. Bella’s appearance reminded him of his savior. So, he offered her a contract marriage. It was a temporary solution to his grandfather’s demand to get an heir until he found his angel. With no other options left, Bella reluctantly agreed to the terms of the contract. But little did she know it would test her resolve and resilience like never before. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Remember one thing, never fall in love with me,” he said, cold and dangerous. Bella gulped, nervous. “What if I do?” A sliver of defiance, a foolish question escaped her lips. She was already attracted to his handsome appearance. He squeezed her jaw and hissed, “You will regret it.” “What if you started liking me?” she dared to ask. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "No chance," he scoffed. "You're not my type." Bella’s heart sank. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can check my other books. Accidentally Married to Mr. Billionaire - Completed The Billionaire's Sick Wife - Completed Temptation of Billionaire's Secret Lover: A tale of love and revenge - Completed. My Ex-Husband Begged Me To Take Him Back - Ongoing, daily updated.
A slow smile crept back onto Willow's face, genuine joy erupting from within. "Theo, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "I'm so happy for you both!"
In a burst of sisterly affection, she lunged forward, engulfing them in a giant hug.
Theodore chuckled, his broad arms easily encircling both women. He reveled in this moment of newfound family unity.
"Surprise!" he said with a mix of amusement and triumph. "I wanted you two to meet, but I figured this would be more interesting."
Willow stepped back and met his gaze with excitement. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have brought some gifts for Bella."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," he replied delightfully. "And I think it worked perfectly."
Amid this joyous moment, Bella was silent. She couldn't find any joy. Shame, guilt, and regret gnawed at her, threatening to drown her in a wave of self-loathing.