Genre Ranking
Get the APP HOT
THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET LEGACY
img img THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET LEGACY img Chapter 4 The Contract and the Cold Wedding
4 Chapters
Chapter 6 Moving In img
Chapter 7 Settling Into the Routine img
Chapter 8 Nicholas's First Act of Kindness img
Chapter 9 The Growing Tension img
Chapter 10 The Unexpected Conversation img
Chapter 11 A Sudden Moment of Intimacy img
Chapter 12 Nicholas's Vulnerable Moment img
Chapter 13 The Shock of the Pregnancy Test img
Chapter 14 Hiding the Secret img
Chapter 15 Nicholas's Growing Suspicion img
Chapter 16 The Confrontation img
Chapter 17 The Fallout img
Chapter 18 Nicholas's Reaction to the Pregnancy img
Chapter 19 The Scott Family's Expectations img
Chapter 20 Cassie's Dilemma img
Chapter 21 The Marriage Under Scrutiny img
Chapter 22 Nicholas's Complicated Feelings img
Chapter 23 Cassie's New Resolve img
Chapter 24 A Moment of Vulnerability img
Chapter 25 The Discovery of Twins img
Chapter 26 Telling Nicholas About the Twins img
Chapter 27 Family Pressure Escalates img
Chapter 28 Cassie's Health Scare img
Chapter 29 Nicholas's Confession img
Chapter 30 A Moment of Connection img
Chapter 31 Unexpected Challenges at the Art Center img
Chapter 32 Nicholas's Overbearing Behavior img
Chapter 33 A Turning Point for Cassie img
Chapter 34 Nicholas's Effort to Change img
Chapter 35 A Shared Moment of Happiness img
Chapter 36 The First Signs of Real Love img
Chapter 37 Family Pressure Intensifies img
Chapter 38 Cassie's Decision About Her Future img
Chapter 39 The Public Announcement img
Chapter 40 Cassie's Fear of Public Scrutiny img
Chapter 41 A Glimpse of a Happier Future img
Chapter 42 Nicholas's Realization img
Chapter 43 Cassie's Defiance img
Chapter 44 Nicholas's Attempt to Connect img
Chapter 45 A New Threat to the Family img
Chapter 46 The Ultimatum img
Chapter 47 The Strain of Public Life img
Chapter 48 Cassie's Growing Isolation img
Chapter 49 A Proposal to Rebuild img
Chapter 50 Family Secrets Unravel img
Chapter 51 The Truth Revealed img
Chapter 52 The Public Scandal img
Chapter 53 Nicholas's Desperate Measures img
Chapter 54 Cassie's Conflicted Heart img
Chapter 55 The Moment of Forgiveness img
Chapter 56 Reconnecting img
Chapter 57 The Birth of the Twins img
Chapter 58 Resolution of Family Disagreement img
Chapter 59 A Proposal of Real Commitment img
Chapter 60 Moving Forward Together img
Chapter 61 The Concluding Turn img
Chapter 62 Nicholas's International Offer img
Chapter 63 Cassie's Inner Conflict img
Chapter 64 The Decision img
Chapter 65 The European Transition img
Chapter 66 An Old Flame Resurfaces img
Chapter 67 Cassie's Increasing Self-Sufficiency img
Chapter 68 The Twins' Struggles img
Chapter 69 A Public Scandal img
Chapter 70 Cassie Confronts Nicholas img
Chapter 71 A Shocking Revelation img
Chapter 72 Cassie's Ultimatum img
Chapter 73 Nicholas's Counterattack img
Chapter 74 Cassie's Breakthrough img
Chapter 75 The Twins Bring Them Together img
Chapter 76 Nicholas's Victory img
Chapter 77 A Moment of Peace img
Chapter 78 A Balance Proposal img
Chapter 79 Cassie's Big Day img
Chapter 80 The Ultimate Betrayal img
Chapter 81 Cassie's Sacrifice img
Chapter 82 Nicholas's Decision img
Chapter 83 Nicholas Steps Away img
Chapter 84 The Media Frenzy img
Chapter 85 Letting Go of the Past img
Chapter 86 A Significant Family Event img
Chapter 87 Cassie's Decision img
Chapter 88 An Intimate Retreat img
Chapter 89 A Test of Faith img
Chapter 90 A Shared Vision img
Chapter 91 A Health Scare img
Chapter 92 Family Reconciliation img
Chapter 93 Cassie's Big Debut img
Chapter 94 A New Addition to the Family img
Chapter 95 The Legacy of Love img
Chapter 96 An Unexpected Visit img
Chapter 97 Overcoming the Final Hurdle img
Chapter 98 A Renewed Vow img
Chapter 99 A Bright Future img
Chapter 100 The Final Twist img
img
  /  2
img

Chapter 4 The Contract and the Cold Wedding

"Miss Hart, carefully read it. I don't want you to subsequently claim ignorance.

As he moved the heavy contract across the desk, Nicholas spoke in a cool, collected tone. It was heavier than paper should have been as if the weight of my future were contained in the ink that bound its words.

I snatched it up and skimmed the exact words that described the conditions of this strange arrangement. A marriage of one year. Restrictions on appearances in public. Clauses of confidentiality. Monetary arrangements that would keep the art center afloat for many years to come. The chilling fact that I was going to trade my freedom was buried deep behind the clinical legalese.

I murmured, "This is... detailed," with a little tremble in my voice.

"Of course," said Nicholas, reclining in his seat. "Success depends on the details. Do you find the terms satisfactory?"

Are you happy? No. Captured? Totally.

"I need one thing added," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady.

A tiny glimmer of astonishment pierced his cold façade as his eyebrow raised. "Go on." "My art center," I murmured, holding onto the contract's edge. "Regardless of what transpires between us, I want it safeguarded. "The center is unaffected if this... deal goes south."

Adrian looked at me for a while, his face unreadable. At last, he gave a nod. "Done."

I became even more wary of him since his acquiescence was almost too simple.

"Why are you agreeing so quickly?"

"Because I'm not the villain you think I am," he added, holding his lips in a little grin.

Though I didn't have the luxury of further investigation, I didn't believe him. He offered me a pen across the desk, and I took it and wrote my name over the dotted line.

I could feel my heart pounding on my ribs, urging me to halt, think twice, and flee. However, I didn't.

Nicholas accepted the contract and got up as I raised the pen. He extended a hand and remarked, "Welcome to the beginning of your new life," with ease.

I refused to accept it.

The wedding was clinical, emotionless, and cold-exactly what I had anticipated.

Far from the prying eyes of the media, the ceremony was held in a lavish room at a private courthouse. There was just one witness and Nicholas's attorney present. Not a family. No companions. No romanticism.

As though someone had looked at my measurements without ever asking, the dress they gave me fit me like a glove. Like the event itself, it was exquisite, lovely, and completely dead.

Beside me, Nicholas was spotless in a black suit that seemed to catch every ray of light in the space. He looked at the officiant with a stony attitude as if this were a routine business meeting rather than the start of a marriage.

The officiant's voice was cold and monotonous when it came time to exchange vows. With a calm, quick hand, Nicholas placed the ring on my finger with the same accuracy he might use to sign a contract.

As the officiant said, "You may kiss the bride,"

Nicholas hesitated a bit. Something inscrutable flickered across his face as our eyes connected. Then he leaned in and gave me the shortest, most robotic kiss he could manage. It wasn't more than a formality.

We turned to the two witnesses, and I felt the cold metal of the ring pressing down on my finger. A single, abrupt clap from Nicholas's attorney reverberated through the quiet.

It was over in an instant. Mrs. Nicholas Scott was my name.

Unspoken tension hung in the air between us during the quiet limo trip to Nicholas's apartment. While Nicholas browsed through his phone, utterly unaffected by the momentous step we had just taken, I gazed out the window, seeing the city fade by.

"Do you always compartmentalize your life this well?" I broke the stillness by asking.

He didn't raise his head. "It's a necessary skill."

I whispered, "For you, maybe," and looked back out the window.

The penthouse was sleek, contemporary, and impersonal, just as magnificent as I had anticipated. There was no sign of closeness or warmth-it was a mansion designed for one person.

I was shown to a guest room by Nicholas. He said, "This will be yours," in a tone that made no space for disagreement. "I assume you'll want your privacy."

I responded dryly, "Thank you for your generosity," as I entered the room.

His mouth moved in what may have been laughter. "Goodnight, Mrs. Scott."

He then walked away from me.

The days that followed were filled with last-minute changes and well-planned appearances. An agenda detailing charity activities, galas, and meals where I would pretend to be Nicholas's loyal wife was given to me by his assistant.

Pretending to be a part of an imaginary relationship was tiresome. Nicholas was courteous but aloof; he was constantly preoccupied with his business. Unless required, we hardly spoke, and when we did, it was in a stiff, clipped tone.

However, there were times-rare, fleeting times-when I saw glimmers of something more profound beneath his cold veneer-a tense jaw, a prolonged look, a remark that suggested weakness.

The walls would then rise again in an instant, leaving me to wonder if I had dreamed it.

After another formal dinner one evening, I discovered a message hidden beneath my door. Nicholas's exact handwriting was used to write it.

I'll see you in the library. Midnight.

I stared at the note, curiosity battling caution. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that something wasn't right, and Nicholas wasn't the kind to send mysterious messages.

As midnight rolled around, I headed to the library. Long shadows were created on the walls by the flickering glow of the fireplace in the dimly lit room.

Nicholas's profile against the city lights was stark as he stood near the window.

"You wanted to see me?" I entered the room and inquired.

He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "There's something you ought to know."

My heart fell. He spoke in a somber, even remorseful tone.

"What is it?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.

Nicholas's jaw tensed as he paused. "Our marriage isn't the only deal I've made."

The door behind me creaked open before I could comprehend what he had said. As a man I didn't recognize entered the room, his presence as commanding as Nicholas's, I whirled around, gasping for air.

The visitor answered, "Well," with a tone full of laughter. "I suppose it's time we told her everything."

The secrets I believed I could manage multiplied before my eyes as the section came to a close, and my world began to tilt once more.

Previous
            
Next
            
Download Book

COPYRIGHT(©) 2022