I Bought Her Freedom, She Stole My Heart

Jules Verne a twenty-one years old girl signs a fake marriage contract with a wealthy billionaire old enough to be her father.

...

"Miss Verne, you don't have to worry, everything will be fake. All you have to do is pretend to be my wife and help me.

 I want you to teach my children to be responsible. They should take life seriously, change their mindset, and view the world differently. I want them to be less cruel and arrogant. They should learn to respect and see the good in people, be it rich or poor, I want them to see everyone as equals, not look down on them. can you do that miss Verne?"

Jules stared at the elderly man in front of her, he looked like someone in his late fifties, and old enough to be her father. what would people think if she claimed to be his wife? However, she needed money for her mother's treatment, and to pay the debt she owed.   

If she wanted to make money and make it fast, the man sitting in front of her was the answer. The hospital in which her mother was admitted, was already on her case, and even those whom she owed, were also on her case. Luckily, Mr. Harper Scott showed up just in time to save her, after her numerous attempt to find a job, which always failed.

Jules sighed, seeing that she had no other option. After all, she wasn't really getting married to him, she only had to pretend to be.

"How hard can it be, it's just for six months? besides, I'm doing this for mom, and also to pay my debt," she thought.

After careful consideration, Jules agreed to sign the contract. "Mr. Harper, I agree to be your fake wife," she tells him.

Mr. Harper threw her a smile. Although he was in his late fifties, he still looked very young, and handsome.

"I'm pleased to hear that miss Verne. Although you might be pretending to be my wife, I will always treat you like my own daughter," he muttered.

Jules nodded, casting him a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Harper."

"You don't have to thank me. I should thank you instead, for agreeing to help me. I won't waste any more of your time miss Verne, let me introduce you to my children."

Mr.Harper brought out a white envelope, in which he had photos of his children. 

"Miss Verne, this is my eldest son Hero Scott, he is twenty-six years old, and the CEO of Hi-tech company. He is very short-tempered and rude. And this is my second son, Harris Scott. he is twenty-four years old, the CEO of the H-music industry, and a singer. Unlike his brother, he is very arrogant, and irresponsible. He changes and treats women like trash. My third child is Hardin Scott, he is fifteen years old and a student. He barely has the time to focus on his studies, although I don't know what he uses his time for, and at such a young age, he is already a rascal. Lastly, this is Harley Scott, my last child. She is seven years old and a student. I can say, unlike her brothers, she is a very sweet and lovely child."

Jules listened to everything he had to say about his family, digesting every piece of information. She knew that it was going to be a tough road ahead but for money, she was willing to do almost anything.

Jules also didn't fail to notice that all of their names started with the letter H. Hence, she decided to call them the H-family.

"Miss Verne, I would like you to move in as soon as possible, that is, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind Mr. Harper. I can even move in tomorrow," she replies.

He smiled, happy that things were going according to plan. "Okay miss Verne, I will ask my assistant to take you shopping and he will also pick you up tomorrow."

"Okay, Mr.Harper, if you don't mind I will take my leave now."

"Okay, miss Verne, but before you leave, we should come up with a story about how we met, fell in love, and got married..."

A moment later they were done with their discussion. They also filled each other in on what they liked and disliked, everything they needed to know about each other, before saying their goodbyes.

...

The next day, Mr.Harper, sent a driver to pick up Jules. She sat in the back seat of the car, feeling nervous. 

"Jules you can do this," she told herself, rubbing her sweaty palm on her dress.

Soon, they arrived at a very huge mansion, that looked like a palace. "Wow!" Jules mouthed, gawking at the sight in front of her.

The exterior design of the house was magnificent and decorated with lots of flowers. It also had a big fountain, and Jules couldn't wait to see what the interior design would look like.

Harper Scott, his guards, and the maid stood outside the entrance, to welcome her.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Scott," they chorused, bowing their head in respect. Although they were stunned when they saw Jules because they expected to see an older woman when Harper Scott told them that he was bringing his new wife.

Jules smiled at them, before saying "You can call me Jules."

She walked toward Mr.Harper and kissed him on the cheek.

"Daring husband," she said, leaving everyone even more stunned.

"Angel," he called, giving her a bright smile.

"Come let's go inside, the children must be waiting," he said, leading her into the mansion.

"You have a nice house, Mr.Scott," 

"It's also going to be yours from now on."

They walked into a house big enough to accommodate at least fifty persons, and Jules's eyes almost popped out of their socket.

The interior design was far more beautiful than the exterior one. Jules was astonished and looked around with wide eyes and mouth.

"Daddy," a little girl yelled, snapping Jules out of her trance. The little girl ran toward Mr. Harper but stopped abruptly when she notice Jules.

 "Who is she, daddy? She asked with a curious look.

"Harley, I need you to go upstairs, and call your brothers, then I'll tell you."

"Okay daddy," she yelled, running away.

Minutes later, they all came downstairs, glancing from their father to the girl beside him. Although he told them to be present because he wanted to introduce someone, he didn't tell them who.

Harris, Hardin, and Harley went and took a seat opposite their father. Jules raised her head to peek at them and she had to admit that they were much more handsome in person, and both looked like their father.

 "What's so important that you called us," Hardin inquired, rolling his eyes.

Instead of giving him an answer, Mr.Harper threw them a questioning look before asking "where is Hero?"

"Daddy, Hero didn't come. He said he has some urgent matter to attend to," Harley replied, her eyes on Jules all the while. 

Mr. Harper sneered but didn't say anything. He turned to Jules who sat quietly, picking on her nails. He could tell she was nervous and somehow pitied her.

The reason he wanted her to act as his wife in the first place was that, he saw how hardworking, responsible and humble she was at such a young age and hoped that his son could learn from her.

He also admired her well-mannered behavior and careful approach to life.

"I wanted to introduce this beautiful woman sitting beside me." He told them.

"Can you get over with this dad, some of us have better things to do," Harris, who has been sitting quietly spoke. He was getting impatient and wanted to know who the girl was.

Jules made an inward scowl at how arrogantly he spoke, wishing she could give him a blow to reset his brain, so he could be more respectful.

Mr. Harper sighs, not wanting to waste any more of their time. "This is Jules Verne, my new wife, and your stepmother. I want you all to treat her with the utmost respect and do whatever she tells you," Mr. Harper announced.

The trio glanced from their father to Jules, who looked as pale as a ghost. "Oh God save me," she prayed inwardly, as she felt their piercing gaze on her.

Hardin scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Are you serious dad, how can this lady be your wife. Look at how young she is, I'm pretty sure Hero and Harris are older than she is," he let out, angrily, not liking the idea of his dad having a new wife.

"Yes dad, Hardin is right, she's too young to be your wife. But I don't mind," Harris said. Unlike Hardin, he didn't mind having a stepmother. he was even glad that he had such a young and beautiful stepmother that he would take to events and show off.

"Really daddy, she's going to be my new mom," Harley squealed happily. She was also happy because there would be another female in the house, with whom she can play.

"Yes sweet heart, she is going to be your new mommy," Mr. Harper answered.

Yeiiii, I'm so excited, are you two excited? she asked her brothers.

"Of course, I am," Harris replied, winking at Jules, who blushed slightly.

"I can't believe you guys. Are you stupid or blind, Can't you see that she is only here because of dads money? Or why else would a young and beautiful lady like her want to marry someone old enough to be her father, when there are plenty of young guys out there," Hardin yelled, casting a hateful glance at Jules

Jules shivered slightly at his tone of voice. "This one is not going to be an easy one," she thought.

"Hardin, how dare you say such things about my wife, you had better behave yourself," Mr.Harper scolded. 

"Dad, you don't have to worry about Hardin, he's still a child, and wouldn't understand. As long as you are happy, I don't have a problem with it, and I'm sure chubby(Harley) doesn't too," Harris muttered.

"Hey, how many times have I told you not to call me chubby?" Harley cried out, glaring out her brother.

"Then should I call you fatso instead," Harris teased. 

"You... dad, look Harris is picking on me again, you should warn him, before I teach him a lesson," Harley muttered, pouting her mouth.

Jules couldn't help but fall in love with the small child in front of her, although Mr. Harper had said she was seven years old, she looked more like a five-year-old, with chubby cheek, and pouted lips. She also didn't look like her father, so Jules figured that she might look like her mother.

"I think you are very beautiful Harley, so you don't have to mind your brother's words," Jules spoke for the first time, making Harley's eyes lit up.

"Really," she squealed, happy that her new mother found her beautiful.

"Yes Princess, you are beautiful," Jules repeated. 

Yeiii she squealed, twirling from side to side. "I like her dad, she's nice," Harley blurted out.

Hardin stared at his siblings in disbelief, how could they like a gold digger? "you guys are so unbelievable, I'm sure once Hero returns, he would support me and won't be fooled by this lady," he muttered, walking away angrily.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he will come around," Mr. Scott consoled, squeezing Jules's hands lightly and she nodded.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Scott, I hope we get along well," Harris said before leaving.

It was now Mr. Harper, Harley and Jules left. "Baby, I want you to take your mom to the room opposite mine," Mr. Scott told Harley and she happily obliged.