บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire’s Contract Bride: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

The air in the hospital smelled of antiseptic and desperation. I had spent too many nights here, listening to the whirl of fluorescent lights, and the hushed tones of nurses as they made their way from room to room, checking on patients with their last hours in front of them. The walls were beige, meant to calm, but all they could do was remind me of cold winters and empty pockets.I clutched my bag tightly, my heart racing like a madman in my chest as I ran down the corridor. The bleach odor mixed with the acrid odor of medicine as I passed by the wards where the dying and the ill lay. I hated hospitals. I hated how they stole the people from you, bit by bit, until all that was left was a memory.But I couldn't hate this one. Not when my brother was inside.I made it to 304, pushing a hand over my stomach as I slowly opened the door.Oliver lay in bed, his scrawny body barely even pressed into the mattress. His bright green eyes, once so bright a green, were hazy now, dull. His face

Her eyebrows arched slightly, as if the question was amusing her. "No, ma'am. Mr. Sebastian has his own room."Relief and shame hit me at the same time. He was my husband, we were supposed to share a room but I didn't mind. Actually, I was happy we weren't doing that."Thank you," I whispered.She nodded and left, closing the doors behind her. Trembling from so many emotions, I finally allowed myself to sink onto the bed. My hands were shaking as I clutched my phone.I had one missed call from Dr. Patel and a message from Oliver.Ollie: Did you get the money?I swallowed hard before answering.Me: Yes. The procedure is scheduled.His response was swift.Ollie: Val… What did you do?I stared at the screen, fingers ready to fly on the keyboard.How would I explain to him that I was married to a man who considered me nothing but a contract?Me: I did what I had to do.I threw my phone aside before he could say anything, hiding my face in my hands.One year. One year of being Valentine Se

"You'll have to make an appearance," he said, fastening his cufflinks. "Everyone's already asking questions about our marriage. This will calm the rumors."I crossed my arms. "So I'm just going to smile and pretend to be a happy wife?"His sparkling blue eyes met mine. "Exactly."I had a dry, humorless laugh. "You're unbelievable Adrian.""You’re adaptable," he countered. "You’ll manage."The words shouldn’t have felt like a compliment, but they did.I stood in front of the bedroom mirror, wearing a gown so beautiful it seemed like it belonged to someone else. The midnight blue material was tightly hugging my body, with a slit running up the side of my leg. I wasn't completely at ease with it but I couldn't complain. Adrian's present, a diamond necklace, lay across my collarbone, a visible token of privilege and ownership.I belonged in his universe. But in the real sense, I didn't."You look good," Adrian said behind me.I turned to find him standing in the doorway, his black tuxedo

I woke up the following morning to a pounding knock on the door. I groaned and threw an arm over my eyes. "What?"The knocking on the door grew louder. I grumbled, throwing a hand over my eyes. "What is it?" I growled, my voice thick with sleep.The door slammed open, and Margaret, the epitome of calm competence, stood in the doorway. "I am sorry, ma'am, but Mr. Sebastian needs you downstairs. Now."I rubbed my eyes, blinking. "At this hour?"Margaret's expression didn't falter but I caught a glint of laughter in her eyes."It's nearly noon, ma'am."What?" I sprang out of bed, dazed. Adrian never called me before. Not like this, anyway, but I never slept in late in the morning either.Grasping for a silk robe to throw over my nightgown, I ran downstairs.The moment I stepped into the study, I could tell something was amiss. Adrian stood near the fireplace, his shoulders slumped, his jaw clenched. His phone was flung onto the desk, its screen still lit with an unread message."You're l

While I was trying to process the first message, another came through.I swallowed hard. Now I was quite sure it was the same person sending these messages and there was only one person who could send a message like that. Damian.I locked my phone and put it on the bedside table, allowing myself to catch a breath. The day had worn me out.Oliver's surgery, waiting, the shuddering relief of realizing his new heart was healthy. All of it.But we weren't done yet,there was Damian to contend with.There was a knock on the door and it startled me."Valentine." Adrian's voice was gentle yet commanding. I huddled the blanket closer around me."Come in."The door creaked open, and he entered.Even at this late hour, he was perfectly dressed, his tie loosened a notch, his sleeves rolled up. And he looked as exhausted as I was.He showed me his phone. "Damian texted me a time and place."I braced myself. "When?""Tomorrow night. Seven o'clock. His penthouse."The idea of being alone with Damian