Alle Kapitel von THE BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT WIFE : Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

The divorce papers were already on the kitchen island when I got home. Lorenzo didn't look up. Seraphina sat next to him in my chair, wearing my cashmere robe. Her hand was on his forearm. Aria," he said quietly. We talked about this. I didn't answer. I was still holding the ultrasound photo from The Portland Hospital in my pocket. One tiny sac. four weeks .No heartbeat yet My baby. Seraphina gave me a soft, sad smile. The dying woman smile. Aria, I never wanted to come between you two. I just... I have six months. I just wanted to feel what it is like to be a wife before I go. Lorenzo is doing this out of kindness. Kindness. I looked at the papers. Fifty pages. My lawyer, Mr. Jenkins, stood by the window. He wouldn't meet my eyes. Just sign where I flagged, Mrs. Blackwood, he said. Mr. Blackwood is being very generous. The house in Aspen, the apartment in Paris, fifty million I don't want it, I said. The room went quiet. Lorenzo finally looked at me. Aria, don

The knock came again, louder, hard, boom boom boom. Rhys put his hand in front of me, like he would fight. Who is it, he shouted. Open, Mrs Patel shouted, rent, three weeks rent, I know you are inside, I saw light. I breathed, it was not Lorenzo people, it was landlord. Rhys opened door, Mrs Patel stood with paper, angry face. three weeks, she said, you said you will pay, where is my money. I picked up ultrasound photo from floor, my hand still shaking. Next week, I said, I promise, next week. Next week every time, she said, she looked at my cheap suitcase, you came from America, you have money now, pay now. I have nothing, I said, nothing, please, one week. She made a sound and left, banging door. My phone was still hot in my hand, Julian still on line, whispering. Madam, are you there, he said, did you hear me, her report is fake, I have paper. Keep it, I said, keep paper safe, hide it, I will need it one day, hide it Julian, please. And sir, Julian s

Aria, he asked, low voice, is he mine, is Leo mine. The room was quiet. Twelve men did not move. Did not breathe. Leo held my neck tight. His small hands were cold. Mama, he whispered, I want to go home. Rhys stood at the door. His face was white. Lorenzo looked at Leo, then at me. His grey eyes were wet. Aria, he said again, please, tell me, is he my son. I held Leo more close. My heart was loud. Too loud. No, I said, he is not yours, he is only mine, I made him alone. It was a lie. But I had to say it. I had to protect Leo. Lorenzo stepped back. Like I hit him. You lie, he said, his voice low, he has my eyes, my face, how old, tell me true age. Three, I said, he is three. We divorced three years and eight months ago, he said, three, it is same time. It is not same, I said, do not count, do not do math with my son. Leo started to cry. Small cry. Scared cry. Mama, he said, that man is loud. Rhys came fast. He took Leo from my arms. Come Leo, he sa

Hohenegg Clinic, voice said, we have more papers about Miss Vale, you asked for truth, we found truth, it is worse than fake cancer, do you want us to send. I stood outside boardroom, Leo playing on floor with Lorenzo, both grey eyes same, but my hand cold holding phone. Send, I said, send now. Email came, one file, one scan, doctor note from three years ago, not in English, in German, but translation below. I read, my blood cold. Patient Seraphina Vale, age twenty nine, admitted for anxiety, not cancer, treatment rest and talk, patient asked for fake report, said she needs paper for marriage, doctor refused, patient offered money, fifty thousand euro, doctor wrote that he refused but nurse wrote fake report without his sign, nurse later fired. And second paper, more recent, from same clinic, last year. Patient Seraphina Vale returned, asked for new treatment, said she cannot have child, womb damaged from old surgery, she wanted paper that says she can have child, doct

White car.Not police car. Same white, but private. Black windows.Inside, white dress. I knew it was her even before I saw face. Seraphina Vale.Lorenzo moved fast. He pulled curtain, small loft went dark.Stay away from window, Leo, he said, calm voice but hands shaking.Leo was still on counter, pasta half cooked, water boiling loud.Rhys horn again outside two times warning.Lorenzo looked at me.How long did police keep her, he said, one hour, only one hour, lawyers fast.Phone buzzed again. Same unknown number: "Five hours you said, Aria? I give you five minutes to come down and talk woman to woman, or I call press that you hide married man with child in secret loft."She was downstairs. In white car. Waiting.Do not go, Lorenzo said, she is crazy now, she lost mask today in front of board."If I don't go, she will call press," I said, "Leo photo will be on i