All Chapters of Billionaire Contract Marriage: Her Quest : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Sophia's POVI woke to the sound of waves and the warmth of David's arm draped across my waist.No alarm. No panic. Just the steady rhythm of the ocean below and his breath against my shoulder.The villa's bedroom glowed soft gold—morning sun filtering through sheer curtains that billowed gently in the sea breeze. White linen sheets tangled around our legs. Salt air mixed with the faint scent of his skin.I shifted carefully, turning in his arms to face him.He was still asleep—dark lashes against sun-kissed cheeks, mouth relaxed, peaceful in a way that made my chest ache. The platinum band on his left hand caught the light. Mine matched it—simple, solid, real.Married.We were married.Not because of a contract. Not because of strategy or desperation or family pressure.Because we chose each other.I traced one finger along his jaw, feeling the rough stubble. He stirred, eyes fluttering open—ice-blue in the morning light."Morning, wife," he murmured, voice gravelly with sleep.I s

Sophia's POVThe alarm went off at six a.m.—soft chime, not jarring. I reached to silence it and found David's arm already there, pulling me back against his chest."Five more minutes," he mumbled into my hair."You said that twenty minutes ago.""Did I?" His lips brushed my shoulder. "Must've been a different husband."I laughed, turning to face him. "How many husbands do I have?""Just me. But I'm very persuasive about morning cuddles."We stayed tangled for another ten minutes before reality won. I had a board meeting at nine. He had a site inspection at eight.The bathroom dance was new—negotiating space, learning rhythms. He brushed his teeth while I washed my face. I applied mascara while he shaved. Comfortable chaos.I stepped into the shower. Started counting automatically.One. Two. Three.David's voice came from outside the glass. "How long today?""Trying for seventy-five.""You've got this."Fifty. Sixty. Seventy.The old panic stirred—familiar, expected.Seventy-five.I s

Sophia's POVEmma arrived Friday evening with three bags instead of one."What's all this?" I asked, eyeing the luggage."Supplies." She dropped them in the foyer. "We're doing a proper girls' weekend. Face masks, junk food, self-defense training, and deep emotional conversations. In that order."David emerged from the bedroom, gym bag in hand. "I'm officially banished?""Officially." Emma pointed at the door. "Go bond with Mom. Watch sports. Do whatever men do."He walked to me, kissed me softly. "Call if you need me.""I'll be fine.""I know." He brushed hair from my face. "But call anyway."After he left, Emma dumped the contents of her bags across the living room floor. Sheet masks, chocolate bars, popcorn, wine coolers, fuzzy socks."You came prepared," I said."Always." She grinned. "Now go change into something comfortable. We're starting with the gym."Twenty minutes later, we stood in the penthouse gym—me in leggings and sports bra, Emma in shorts and a tank top."Okay," she

David's POVOne week until trial.Chen's office smelled like stale coffee and paper. Files covered every surface—twenty years of investigation condensed into boxes of evidence.Sophia sat beside me, notepad in lap, pencil tapping nervously. She'd been quieter this morning. Nausea hit her hard at breakfast, but she powered through.Nobody knew yet. Just us.Chen spread photos across the conference table. "The mechanic's testimony is solid. Ellis confirms Richard paid twenty thousand cash to sabotage the brakes. Financial records prove the wire transfer.""And Mike?" Sophia asked. Her voice was steady, but I felt her knee bouncing under the table."Ready to testify. He'll describe being paid to watch from the bridge. To let it happen." Chen looked at her. "It's going to be hard to hear, Sophia. Are you sure you want to be there?""I have to be." She set her pencil down. "I need to face him. To hear him admit what he did.""You'll be called to testify too. Defense will try to discredit y

Sophia's POVThe courthouse steps were chaos.Cameras everywhere. Reporters shouting questions. Microphones thrust forward like weapons."Ms. Ashford, how do you feel about today?""Do you think justice will be served?""What about the allegations regarding your marriage?"David's hand tightened on mine. Mr. Thomas cleared a path ahead of us. Chen waited at the top of the steps.I kept my head high. Eyes forward. The navy suit felt like armor. Mother's diamonds at my throat, cold and solid.Inside, the courtroom was surprisingly ordinary. Wood paneling. Fluorescent lights. Rows of benches filled with spectators.And there, at the defendant's table—Uncle Richard.He turned when we entered. Our eyes met.Twenty years of hatred compressed into one look.He smiled. Still arrogant. Still certain he'd win.I smiled back. Colder. Harder.We'd see about that.---David's POVI sat in the gallery behind Sophia. Close enough to support, far enough to give her space.Emma squeezed my hand. Mom s