Bound by Contract to the Ruthless Billionaire

Ethan's Point of view I parked my car in front of the restaurant. I sat there for a minute, as memories flooded to my head. I recalled the times my friends had dragged me here because of the delicious meals they whipped up.I unbuckled my seat belt with one hand while I speed dialled my best friend and personal assistant, Mark. “I'm inside, get your ass in here.” he chirped.I sighed and opened the car door. As I stepped outside, I placed my hand across my face to shade it from the blinding sunlight. I didn't need to search for long because there was Mark seated at one of the tables in the center of the room, looking conspicuous in a red blazer. A waitress stood by his table, blushing hard at whatever lies he was feeding her.I strode towards the table and took my seat. Mark continued conversing with the girl, ignoring my presence. “Are you here to work or you are here to fraternize with customers?” I snapped.The girl shuddered visibly and turned to me with wide eyes, the menu

Ethan's Point of view The laughter and chatter of the reunion faded as I stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air hitting my face like a refreshing slap. I needed a moment to clear my head after that awkward encounter with Alessia. How had I let her get under my skin so easily? As I walked towards the balcony, I caught sight of her silhouette, leaning against the balcony’s edge, lost in thought. The way her blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders made my heart skip a beat.She looked different—more mature, more beautiful. The soft glow of the moon illuminated her features, highlighting her dimples and the delicate curve of her jaw. Damn it, she looked like a goddess.“Alessia,” I called out, unable to stop myself. The moment my voice broke through the silence, she startled, spinning around as if she hadn’t expected anyone to follow her. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me out here?” she shot back defensively, backing into the rail as if trying t

Ethan’s Point of ViewI adjusted the cuffs of my white shirt, straightened my navy tie, and took my seat at the boardroom table.I could see the hatred in Alessia's eyes, and the anger she tried so hard to hide. But at this point, it didn’t matter.This was not about her. It never was.I brought her here for one reason: to control the narrative. To own the room. To close the deal. And to prove once again that Ethan Gage always gets what he wants anytime and any day.Across from us sat Gerald White, Carl Mathers, and Emily Rowan. Investors who had built and destroyed empires. They weren’t here just for numbers and figures. They were here to size me up, and they could sense something wasn’t adding up from the very beginning of the meeting.“Ethan,” Gerald began, calm but bold. “Your numbers look solid.” Tokyo exceeded projections. Milan held steady. But London... London is lacking alot….”How could he say that? After all the effort, I had input. I muted my breath. I adjusted my sitting

Ethan’s Point of ViewShe sat quietly in the back seat with her hands folded between her laps, like she was trying to hide something.I didn’t speak.Neither did she.After a while, the car stopped at the mansion gates.She looked out the window like she wasn’t ready.But guess what?I didn’t wait.When the maid opened her door, she hesitated. One foot out. Then the next. Her eyes scanned the whole environment like she expected the ground to open up and swallow her.I walked ahead without looking back.Inside the sitting room, my parents were already waiting.My father is tall, cold, and unreadable. His power wasn’t in what he said. It was what he didn’t have to say.My mother was graceful, calculated. Her smile was always unpredictable.We stepped in.“Ethan,” my father said, checking his watch. “You’re late.”I didn’t respond. I was used to those words coming from him.I walked to my mother and kissed her on the cheek. She didn’t flinch. Her eyes were locked on Alessia like she was

Alessia’s Point of ViewI thought I had prepared myself.Three days.Three long, quiet days between the night I met his parents and the day I stood before a priest, dressed in white, promising myself to a man who never even looked at me with kindness—or saw me as someone he could love.I didn’t see Ethan much during those days.And when I did, he was brief. Cold. Always talking business with his assistant, always walking past me like I was just another piece of furniture in his house.But the silence?It was loud.The morning of the wedding, I staring at the white dress.It was customized. Perfect measurements. Expensive lace. Elegant neckline.No soul.Just like everything else around him.Two stylists arrived just after 8 a.m., brought in by his assistant. They said little. Just smiled and got to work—brushing my hair, applying makeup, zipping up the gown.I didn’t fight it.But inside, I felt like part of me was watching someone else live this life. Like I was standing outside my b