contract marriage with a crippled Billionaire

Chapter 1 Broken Promises

“Ethan, you can’t keep pouting in then like some woeful idol. It’s disturbing,” Victoria Caldwell’s voice sliced through the silence of the dimly lit study like a blade.

Ethan slightly squinched. His reflection in the mirror held his attention, indeed as his mama stood brewing in the doorway. “Sulking? I didn’t realize gaping at the wreckage of my life qualified as a hobby.”

Victoria stepped closer, her heels clicking against the hardwood bottom. “Enough of this self- pity. We’re having dinner tonight — an important dinner. You’ll attend, and you’ll bear.”

He swirled his wheelchair slightly, eventually admitting her presence. “Dinner? Why? Another one of your charity galas to parade your imperfect son around?”

Her sharp inhale betrayed her irritation. “You’re marrying Maya.”

The words hit him like a physical blow, though he kept his expression neutral. His fingers tensed on the armrests. “Come again?”

“Maya Harper. You’ve met her father, Gregory. He’s. useful.”

“Useful,” Ethan echoed plaintively, his voice trickling with sarcasm. “Let me guess, she’s just as ‘useful’ as her father. What's it this time? incorporating companies? Expanding the empire?”

Victoria did not say anything right down. She crossed her arms, her icy gaze locking on him." This is not over for discussion. Be ready by seven."

Ethan laughed dryly, with no humour." Ah, yes. The biddable puppet has entered his orders."

Victoria did not say a word, nor did she budge. She simply turned and paraded out, leaving the door ajar.

It was the Caldwell dining room, an architectural masterpiece. But tonight, it looked like a battleground. The long table was set with silver and crystal, glinting in the light of the chandelier. Ethan came late, wheeling himself into the room with calculated indifference. His mama 's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

At the far end of the table sat Maya Harper, her fingers wriggling with the edge of her napkin. Her chestnut hair was pulled into a neat bun, and her simple dress was elegant but unpretentious. She glanced up as Ethan entered, her brown eyes betraying a mix of nervousness and quiet determination.

Ah, the man of the hour," Gregory Harper boomed, raising his glass in mock celebration." Ethan, it's good to see you."

Ethan bypassed the pleasantries, his gaze fixed on Maya." So, this is the lamb to slaughter?"

Maya's head snapped up, her lips parting in shock. Before she could respond, Gregory laughed uneasily." Now, now, let's not be so dramatic."

" I call it as I see it," Ethan shot back, razor-sharp.

“Ethan,” Victoria advised, her voice low and tight.

Maya eventually set up her voice, though it was softer than she intended. However, consider it made, “If this is your way of making an impression.”

Ethan’s lips coiled into a cold smile. “Oh, don’t mistake this for anything particular. You’re just another pawn in my mama ’s endless chess game.”

Maya uncurled in her seat; her original shyness replaced with a spark of defiance. “Funny, I allowed the same about you.”

The room fell silent. Indeed, Victoria sounded taken suddenly by Maya’s retort.

Gregory cleared his throat, trying to ease the pressure. “Why don’t we enjoy our meal? No need for similar hostility.”

Ethan didn’t look down from Maya, his icy blue eyes narrowing. “Hostility? This is me being polite.”

Polite," Maya repeated, her voice steady now," sounds different where I am from."

Ethan did not say anything for a moment. also, he clapped his hands sluggishly, mocking." Bravo. A backbone. I was not exactly awaiting that."

" Well, also I guess we are both full of surprises," Maya replied.

Victoria was at her wit's end." That is enough. Maya, your conditions?

Maya looked down from Ethan and kept her gaze on Victoria." I will agree to the proposition, but I’ve, my conditions. I'll not antedate college, and I'll not put up with interference in my life."

Victoria raised a single brow." And you suppose you are in a position to make demands?"

" I believe you need the marriage to come about further than I do," Maya replied coolly but substantially.

Ethan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Well, this just keeps getting better.”

latterly that evening, Maya stood outdoors on the Caldwell estate’s terrace, demanding a moment to breathe. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of jasmine. She leaned on the railing, gaping out at the sprawling gardens illuminated by moonlight.

“You’re stalwart than I anticipated,” a voice said behind her.

She turned to find Ethan watching her from the shadows. His wheelchair made no sound on the smooth stone tiles, giving him a nearly ghost- suchlike presence.

“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Take it still you want,” he replied, wheeling nearby. “But don’t wisecrack yourself into allowing this is some fairy tale where the stalwart girl tames the beast.”

“Beast?” Maya listed her head. “More like a self- aching prince with a chip on his shoulder.”

Ethan’s expression hardened, but he didn’t lash out. rather, he studied her for a long moment. “Why did you agree to this?”

Maya dithered, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Because occasionally you have to make choices you detest to survive.”

For the first time, Ethan saw something in her eyes that was not defiance or determination. It was vulnerability. And it unnerved him.

Before he could respond, a voice called from outside." Maya?"

It was Victoria. The sharpness in her tone made it clear she was not calling for a friendly chat.

Maya soughed." Duty calls." She turned to go but stopped and said," You might want to try surviving too, Ethan. Indeed, if it's just to spite them."

He watched her walk down with her words repeating in his mind.

important latterly, after the guests had gone and the manse was silent, Maya floated the halls, unfit to sleep. The grandeur of the place felt stifling, each ornate detail a reminder of the world she would been forced into.

As she passed a half-open door, voices drew her attention. She honoured one incontinently — Victoria.

" Everything is in place," Victoria was saying." Once the investors see this marriage, they'll be comforted. also, we can proceed with the succession plan."

" What about Ethan?" Gregory asked.

Victoria's voice turned icy." He is a placeholder, nothing further. Once the dust settles, we'll find a suitable replacement. The board formerly has candidates in mind."

Maya's heart pounded as she pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear further.

" And Maya?" Gregory asked.

“She’s expendable,” Victoria said coldly.

Maya clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp.

“You’re sure Ethan doesn’t questionable anything?” Gregory asked.

Victoria laughed; a sound devoid of warmth. “He’s too busy pouting over his woeful little accident. He won’t see it coming.”

Maya’s mind contended. She had walked into a web of deceit far more involved than she could have imagined.

As she stepped down, a floorboard creaked beneath her foot.

The voices desisted.

" Maya?" Victoria's voice chimed out sprucely, and the sound of footsteps approaching grew louder.

Maya set, her heart knocking in her chest.

" Maya, is that you?"

Her instincts screamed at her to take off, but she managed to hold herself back, incorporating into the shadows.

Victoria's figure appeared in the doorway, surveying the hall with her eyes.

" Strange," she murmured, stepping back into the room.

She let out the breath she had not indeed known she would been holding, her body shaking.

She did not know how she was going to manage this unfaithful game, but she'd have to find a way.

And get through.

She forced her way back into her room, Ethan's voice shocking her.

" You heard, did not you?"

She spun around to see him sitting in the dark, his face undecipherable.

I do not know what you mean, she stuttered.

Ethan’s laugh was low and earnest. “Don’t play dumb, Maya. You’re not the only pawn on this board.”