Chapter five

Audrey’s POV

I couldn’t dare refuse this offer. My insides burned from rage, and deep down I knew I couldn’t bring down Michael and Alana on my own. I needed help, and here it was, on a silver platter at that.

A smile curved on his lips, one that couldn’t be labeled as one; his lips simply pulled up before returning back to their usual state.

He gripped my hand a bit tighter, his larger hand covering mine completely.

“Will you marry me, Audrey?”

His words were smooth, gently reminding me that I hadn’t yet replied to his question.

“Y—yes.” His thumb gently brushed the back of my hand. I felt a sudden jolt immediately that had me pulling away.

His lips pulled up into a smirk, one that made a cold brush against my spine. Why did it feel like my fate had been sealed without the need of a contract?

Was it normal trusting this man whom I didn’t know, had never seen before, and was now marrying???

My lips parted to say something to oppose the marriage plans—maybe they could make another deal—however, my words died in my throat at his very next words.

“Of course, you’ll be heavily compensated. Twenty million dollars per week.”

I paused, my brain processing his words. Twenty million a week!!?? That would clear my mother’s bill in an instant, buy a house—we would live like royalty.

Twenty million dollars and my best shot at crushing Michael and Alana? I’m in!!

He cleared my hospital bills, and after the doctor said I was okay, I was discharged from the hospital.

My eyes stretched at the expensive sleek black car which belonged to him, but then what was there to be surprised about? He was a wealthy man.

And a mafia!

The lingering thought tugged at the back of my head, but for the umpteenth time, I pushed it aside.

He pulled the door open for me, and then I got in. He shut the door and then got into the driver’s seat.

The car produced a soft hum once he ignited it. “Wait, where are we going now?” I turned to ask him.

I clutched the sides of my gown, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. This man was incredibly handsome, too handsome that I wondered if he had been sculpted by all the gods of beauty.

His gray eyes, his sharp jawline, and then that masculine build—not to mention he was also twice my height and size.

His midnight black hair glistened, and then he suddenly turned to stare at me. My heart caught in my throat.

“I’m dropping you home,” came his curt response, and then his eyes were fixed back on the road ahead.

My brows furrowed. “You don’t… even know my house.”

He chuckled, taking me off guard. It sounded so deep, alluring…

Snap out of it, I cautioned myself.

I just got my heart smashed to bits by the man I considered to be the love of my life. I can’t afford lowering my guard again.

However, he didn’t reply to my question, and my face became marred with shock when he drove us to my house minutes later.

He… he had done his research on me, and so fast too. How was that possible?

“I’ll call you,” were his last words before driving off.

I hadn’t given him my number, but somehow he had gotten it, like he had known I would have no choice but to take his offer.

I gripped the hand of my purse tighter and then got into my apartment.

Days passed, and I never heard anything from him. I was starting to believe I had only been imagining things; perhaps it was due to the high dosage of treatment I had received in the hospital.

Twenty million a week— I wish, I scoffed.

I finished up with my late-night shift and prepared to board the last cab home.

However, the familiar sleek black car suddenly pulled up in front of me. I stepped back cautiously. It couldn’t be him.

The last thing I wanted was falling prey to another mafia whom Michael might’ve hired to get rid of me, and just as I was about to make a run for it, the tinted glass slowly wound down.

I halted instantly. It was him. I could never forget that perfectly sculpted face in a hurry.

“Get in,” his tone was cold.

I hesitated for a moment, but then remembered the humiliation Michael had put me through, his betrayal, and his ploy to have me killed.

I got in instantly.

The ride was a quiet one, and as if it was a normal routine, he drove me to my house.

At this point, I didn’t know what to say. I fiddled with the ends of my shirt. He had probably changed his mind; that offer was too good to be true anyway.

“Audrey,” he suddenly called, pulling me out of my thoughts.

My stomach churned, like a thousand butterflies had exploded in it. Had my name always sounded this good?

He pulled out some documents and handed them to me. My eyes instantly skimmed through the headline—it was a marriage contract.

My hand trembled, nearly dropping the files. This was happening too fast. I didn’t even know his name yet.

“This is your last chance to back out. If you’ve changed your mind, you can get down now, and I’ll never reach out to you again.”

My heart pounded in my ribcage. He sounded ever so relaxed, like my involvement in this meant nothing—or perhaps he was sure as hell my mind was unchanged.

I stared at the document once more, averting his gaze. This kind of opportunity might—would—never come again. There was no use contemplating.

“Let me save us both time. Three major things…”

My heart caught in my throat once his fingers flew to my chin, making sure he held direct eye contact with me.

“Rule One, my personal life is none of your business,” his words flew like waves. “Two, You are not to fall in love with me.” He paused, gauging every flicker of emotion crossing my face.

That wasn’t a problem. I had no plans of falling in love with him anyway.

“Three…” he drawled, reminding me he had one last rule left. “You are to conceive my child five months from now, a divorce will be issued immediately after birthing my child.”

I froze instantly.