Forbidden To Love You

CHAPTER ONE

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Clara pushed the door ajar. She had been listening to the conversation that had been going on in the room. For a moment, she did not understand what she was seeing.

Her eyes moved from the man standing in front of her to the woman beside him.

Adrian's hand was resting around Elena's waist. Clara's heart seemed to stop.

She blinked once, then twice as if trying to assure herself that what she saw wasn't real. Maybe she had walked into the wrong room, maybe she was dreaming but when she looked again, they were still together, in each other’s freaking arms!.

"What..." Clara's voice broke.

Elena immediately stepped away from Adrian. "Clara." She called out gently.

The colour drained from Elena's face. Adrian's expression hardened, but Clara could see the surprise in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Adrian asked quietly.

Clara stared at him. "What am I doing here?"

Her eyes moved back to Elena, then to the hand Adrian had just pulled away from her waist.

"That's what you have to ask me?" She said, with her voice level rising.

"Clara, listen," Elena said quickly.

"No." She finally snapped and raised her hand. "Don't tell me to listen."

She started breathing unevenly. "My father is married to you," she said, staring at Elena. "And you're here with Adrian?"

Neither of them answered and Clara's eyes widened. "Elena..." she whispered. "Are you cheating on my dad?"

Elena's lips parted, but no answer came.

"Clara, it's not what you think," Adrian said.

She turned towards him dramatically. "Then tell me what it is." Adrian was silent. 

Clara gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "You're engaged to Sophie and she's married to my father."

The silence that followed was worse than any explanation.

Clara looked at Elena again. "You married my father only for his money, didn't you?" She accused.

Elena flinched and Clara's expression changed. She didn't need an answer anymore, she had seen enough.

"My father's wife is hiding in a room with his nephew," she whispered. "How long has this been happening?" She asked, searching their eyes for an answer.

"Clara..." Elena pleaded.

But Clara stepped back. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

She turned and walked out, the door closed behind her.

Elena stood completely still.

Adrian stared at the closed door. Neither of them spoke.

---

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

ELENA

Elena Marlowe had never in her wildest dreams imagined that her life would come down to a signature.

—-

There I was, sitting across from one of the wealthiest men in the country, staring at a marriage contract that could change my whole life.

Victor Ashbourne sat calmly behind his large mahogany desk. At fifty, he was an intimidating man. His dark hair, which had few strands of silver on it was neatly combed, his expensive suit perfectly fitted, and his expression seemed impossible to read.

I looked down at the contract again, the words blurred slightly. I knew exactly what I was about to do, I just didn't know if I could live with it.

"You don't have to do this," Victor said.

I looked up, the words surprised me. He wasn't pressuring me at least not yet.

"I know," I replied.

"Then why are you still here?" He asked.

I swallowed. "Because my family needs the money."

Victor nodded slowly. "Your family's debts will be cleared completely once the marriage is finalized."

"All of them?" I asked.

"Every single one." He assured her.

I stared at him for some time. That was what had brought me here. The debts, the fear of losing our home, the constant calls from creditors, my parents pretending everything was fine when I knew nothing was.

I had spent sleepless nights trying to come up with a solution unfortunately, there wasn't one.

"And what do you want in return?" I asked quietly.

Victor leaned back. "A wife." He blurted out.

I almost laughed, instead, I asked, "That's all?"

"A wife who understands the arrangement." He added rather quickly.

I looked at him carefully. "You don't expect me to love you?"

"No." The answer came immediately.

Something about that almost made me feel relieved.

"This is a business arrangement," Victor continued. "You will have everything you need, a beautiful home, financial security and comfortable life." He said formally.

"And in return, I become your wife." I asked again, trying to understand the contract.

"Yes." He replied

I looked down at the contract, I knew there was nothing romantic about this, I knew I wasn't marrying him because I loved him.

I was only marrying him because my family needed saving.

"How long will the marriage last?" I asked again.

Victor's expression hardened slightly. "That depends."

"On what?" I blinked.

"On whether we both continue to benefit from it." He said, sounding like we were in an important meeting.

I nodded slowly, it was cold but at least it was honest.

Victor pushed the contract towards me. "Read it carefully."

I did, page after page, line after line and word after word.

My eyes moved over the clauses, the financial arrangements, the conditions of the marriage.

I finally reached the final page, my name was written boldly, waiting for me to sign.

I picked up the pen. For one brief moment, I hesitated, then I thought about my mother crying quietly in the kitchen, my father sitting at the dining table with unpaid bills scattered before him, the house they were about to lose.

I signed: Elena Marlowe.

I placed the pen down.

Victor collected the contract. "It's done."

I let out a slow, deep breath. It was done.

I had just agreed to marry a fifty year old billionaire I barely knew. A man I had no feelings for, a man I would never have chosen under normal circumstances but normal circumstances no longer existed.

Victor stood. "The wedding will take place in two weeks."

Elena nodded. "And the money?"

"Your family's debts will be settled within forty eight hours after the marriage." He replied with an air of arrogance in his voice.

For the first time in months, I felt something close to relief. My family would finally be safe and to me, that was all that mattered at that point.

I stood up and reached for my handbag.

As I walked towards the door, Victor's voice stopped me. "One more thing." He called out calmly.

I turned.

"In public, you will be my wife. I expect you to behave accordingly." He added.

I gave him a small nod. "I understand." I left the office. The moment the door closed behind me, I leaned against the wall and released the breath I didn't know I had been holding. I was actually going to become Mrs. Ashbourne.

I had no idea what my new life would look like, I had no idea what his daughters would think of me and I certainly had no idea that the man I was about to fall in love with...

Would be Victor's nephew.