All Chapters of The Billion Dollar Contract: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

They arrived at the mansion, and to Nicole’s surprise, a strange sense of familiarity settled over her almost instantly. It felt like coming home — a thought that startled her enough to immediately push it away. She had no right to feel that way. This place was not her home, and it never truly had been. Once Gabriel’s parents were gone, she would be leaving the mansion for good. Reminding herself of that was necessary, even if it stung.As soon as they walked inside, Gabriel headed straight for the kitchen, most likely to keep the promise he had made earlier. Nicole watched him disappear before deciding to go to her bedroom. She had missed it more than she cared to admit. That room had become her safe space, her small corner of peace in a house that often felt too large and too quiet.She opened the door and paused. Everything was spotless, exactly the way she had left it. The bed was neatly made, the surfaces free of dust. She walked into her closet and, only to find her clothes arran

It was time for dinner, so they all headed to the dining room together. The long dining table had been carefully set, and arranged neatly on it were plates of grilled chicken, seasonal vegetables sautéed to perfection, chicken Caesar salad, and for dessert, a chocolate-filled banana cake that looked far too tempting to ignore.Nicole couldn’t help but feel hungry after seeing the different dishes laid out before them. Her stomach betrayed her before her mind could fully catch up. They all took their seats and began eating quietly, the soft clinking of cutlery against plates filling the otherwise calm room.“So…” Helen suddenly began, breaking the silence far too easily. “When are you two getting married so you can start making babies?”Nicole immediately choked on her salad, coughing slightly as the words hit her without warning. She reached for her glass, her embarrassment arriving faster than her breath. Helen immediately smiled knowingly.“I know that reaction,” she continued, clear

A week had passed since the awkward incident in the bathroom. Nicole had slowly returned to being her usual bubbly, expressive self, her laughter and easy smiles filling the house again as if nothing uncomfortable had ever happened. Gabriel, on his part, had grown accustomed to sharing his room with Nicole. It was still slightly strange at first, adjusting to the idea that she was here to stay in his personal space — but gradually it had started to feel natural.— waking up to her presence, her things scattered alongside his, her scent lingering on the pillows, the initial tension easing into something quieter, more familiar.Helen, however, had been anything but relaxed. She had been a whirlwind of excitement and activity. She had thrown herself fully into wedding preparations with the enthusiasm only a mother could have, moving through the house with excitement and purpose. She had managed to convince Gabriel to take a few days off work so he and Nicole could decide on their wedding d

It was finally time for the engagement party.Nicole was already dressed, yet she remained seated on the edge of the bed, staring blankly ahead, unable to bring herself to go downstairs to welcome the guests. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers lightly clasped together, betraying the nervous energy running through her veins.How was she supposed to walk into a room filled with elite people and wear a smile on her face when everything about this engagement was built on a lie?That thought alone was heavy enough, but it wasn’t even the main reason her chest felt tight. Nicole was nervous because she had no idea how Gabriel’s guests would receive her—or worse, how they would judge her once they met her. She was certain they would be curious, that they would want to know where she came from, what her background was like, who her family was. And the truth was simple and terrifying at the same time—she was nothing close to rich.She didn’t want to embarrass Gabriel. Not even a little.That

Nicole, Gabriel, and his parents were seated around the dining room table, enjoying breakfast on a Monday morning. The sunlight streamed through the large windows, warming the room, and glinting off the crystal glasses and polished silverware. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, toasted bread, and warm pastries mingled with the subtle scent of flowers from the centerpiece, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere.“You two couldn’t keep your hands to yourself Saturday night,” Helen teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she looked between Gabriel and Nicole.Gabriel and Nicole froze, their breakfast utensils paused mid-air, eyes widening in synchronized surprise.“Oh, don’t give me that look,” Helen continued, her tone playful but knowing. “I noticed you guys weren’t coming downstairs to see your guests off, so I came to your bedroom and saw you both sound asleep in each other’s arms.”Nicole felt her cheeks burn a deep crimson. She glanced at Gabriel, whose expression was somewhere b