
The Billionaire’s Contract Bride
Valentine Stephens never believed in fairy tales, but during times as dire as these, one takes what he can. With her brother's life hanging by a thread and medical bills she could never, ever afford to pay, she makes an impulsive decision to marry Adrian Sebastian, the ruthless CEO and business tycoon, who needs a wife for only one purpose: to inherit his grandfather's billion-dollar fortune.
The arrangement is simple. One year, no feelings or complications. Hard, cold Adrian makes his intentions clear from the start. He doesn't have faith in love, and Val is merely a pawn used in his game.
Val's college experience is transformed into a nightmare when her billionaire husband is exposed, and she becomes the target of gossip, jealousy, and scandal. she's betrayed by her best friend, and stalked by an unknown enemy hell-bent on destroying her.
His half-brother, Damian, is eager to get his hands on his inheritance and will do whatever it takes to destroy the marriage. And just as Val is beginning to believe she knows Adrian, she finds out a secret that shattered all she knew about him.
Adrian hadn't chosen her at random. He had known her the whole time. And the real reason he married her? It is a secret so dangerous it was capable of killing them both.
Trapped in a lie, Val is presented with an ultimatum: walk away and forfeit everything, or fight fire with fire against the man who holds her heart and liberty in his hands.
But what if the biggest enemy she will have to fight against is the man she is starting to fall in love with? Find out in the book.
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Chapter: Chapter 48Adrian's PovI held Valentine and rocked her continuously, and about an hour later, her exhaustion gave in, and her breath slowed. But I couldn't sleep. So first, I went to Olivers room to check on him. The young champ was sleeping peacefully with his comic book beside him. As I stared at him, I thought of the possibility of Damian trying to hurt him. It wasn't impossible, I know my brother. He could go through any and every length to get what he wanted. So, I swiftly swung into action, first starting with the security. I doubled the security in the building that morning. They were well-trained, well-armed guards at the gates, around the compound, and two inside the house. It was an invasion of privacy, but I couldn't afford to take the risk, not after last night. I also moved the driver into the staff quarters as well. I wanted him close as she wouldn't leave the hose without him anymore. And for Valentine? I provided two burly, competent bodyguards to move with her, and I couldn't
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 47Adrian's Pov“Bloody bastard.” I muttered as I took in the sight. Damian was towering over Valentine in a leather jacket and black pants. She looked so pale as tear streaks ran down her cheeks. The sight of her tiny image on the bed pierced my heart and my legs grew weak. How did I let things get to this point?“Well, well, brother.” Damian said in mock laughter. “Here for your little thing?”“How dare you Damian? How dare you touch my woman?” I yelled as I made for him. I pushed him with all the energy in me, causing him to crash into the wall behind him. A part of me was surprised, I had expected resistance but he just pushed himself off the ground, dusted his trousers and turned to the folded image of Valentine on the bed.“You're lucky today, you wouldn't be next time. Remember what I told you.” And with that he made for the door and was out of the room in a jiffy. I rushed to the bed to get Val although his words rang in the back of my mind. What did he mean?“Adrian” she cried s
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 46Valentine PovThe air in my bedroom was stood still. It was thick ans heavy, just light my breath at my realisation. I was bent over on the ground beside the bed where I had just made contact with someone. The tips of my fingers tingled from the sensation of skin as I rose slowly to my feet, eyes wide open, and did the only thing my body had the sense to do. I turned and ran towards the door.I took hold of the key in the lock and turned it with trembling fingers. The handle slipped once in my wet hand, but I clutched it again, and just as I was about to pull the door open, a hand reached out of the darkness and grabbed my wrist.I screamed in fear and as if it was a signal, the lights that had gone off without a warning flickered back on almost blinding me. I had been in the darkness for a while now so my eyes had gotten used to it. I blinked through it, eyes slow to focus, fear screaming in every nerve and when my vision finally cleared, the figure standing before me was no other p
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
Chapter: Chapter 45Valentine's PovThe silence was unbearable.I lay on the untouched side of the bed in my black hoodie, knees tucked into my chest as though they could somehow hold the pieces of me together. Adrian’s scent lingered faintly on it, it was the hoodie I had worn on that night Oliver and I had left the house kn the rain. A sharp ache stabbed at the hollow in my chest every time I breathed it in. The bed felt too big now, the room too still. He had slept in my room only a few times but I’d gotten used to his presence without even realizing it.The rustle of his shirt as he changed, the way he exhaled when he was finally retirering after a long days work, even the way he spoke when frustrated, I missed it all.Now, there was nothing, just the cold hum of silence and the echo of words I couldn’t forget. Shaking my head, I blinked, pulled the blanket tighter, and rolled onto my back. My phone sat on the bedside table, upside down with screen locked. I reached for it and impulsively tapped it on
Last Updated: 2025-07-04
Chapter: Chapter 44Adrian's POVShe spoke of it like a sin, like it was bitter in her tongue, "He's my ex."I stood still. Just like that. My boot kicked the dock, wood groaning beneath me. The waves still sounded the same, but everything else changed.I slowly turned around. Valentine stood stilll. Her hoodie was flapping a little on the breeze. She looked tiny in the darkness, hunched shoulders, lips trembling as if the wind had stolen the rest of what she had to say.I glared at her, long enough for the silence to feel agonizing."So," I said, my voice quiet. "All along… I've been fighting phantoms."Her eyes welled up. "Noooo, don't get it wrong.It's not like that." She cried."You lied.""I didn't lie, I just…" She stopped herself, frustration rising. "I didn't know how to tell you.""Then why did you tell me to trust you?" I shot at her. "Why make me go crazy for suspecting something when the whole time, there was someone lurking behind the scenes?"She walked towards me. "I never meant to hurt y
Last Updated: 2025-07-04
Chapter: Chapter 43Valentine's POVI was pacing again. Phone to my ear. The soft carpet was worn thin under my bare feet. Every time I heard his voice, it stirred up something unwanted. Not just worry, something deep-seated, crawling back like it had claws."Valentine," Don's voice cut in, low and insistent. "You're still behaving like this is something I'm forcing you into, like I'm holding a gun to your head. But you called me. You asked for assistance. I'm just attempting to do what I can."I gripped the phone tighter. "Yes. I know I asked for assistance, Don. But you're beginning to sound controlling. I don't take orders from you."He exhaled into the line. "You're scared. I get it. But I'm not the enemy. If anything, I'm the last one standing who remembers who you were before all of this."My chest constricted. Before Adrian. Before marriage. Before money infiltrated its way into my last name."I'll find a way, I'll be there.""I know you can't lose your way to Dock 9, I'll see you there.”I hung
Last Updated: 2025-06-20