Billionaire's Bargain: You belong to me

Adeline's Pov

After more than a year of sending resumes and knocking on closed doors, I finally had a job. It wasn't glamorous, but it felt like a lifeline-proof that maybe the tide was turning in my favour. I had no idea the same day would tear my world apart.

"Mom! Mom!" I screamed.

"Calm down Adeline and talk to me," she said, shaking her head.

Words always slip away from me whenever I'm happy or too sad. Right then, my chest heaved, my breaths shaky, like someone who had just run a marathon.

"I finally got a job," I exhaled, half-laughing. "It's not really nice but I love it." I twirled around her, giggling.

"I'm so proud of you," she smiled. "What's the job?"

"Just a job at a restaurant," I muttered, not really sure of how she would react.

Her face fell immediately

"Restaurant?" she repeated.

"Don't start, Mom. You can't expect everything to be successful overnight. Rome wasn't built in a day. You have to start from somewhere."

"I know, but how much is the pay? You know how many debts we have, and you came in laughing like you'd won the lottery." She gave a short bitter laugh and shook her head. "All these years I've reminded you how lucky you were to be picked up off the street...now I'm not even sure whether you're still my good fortune or another burden."

The smile I'd been wearing was sliding off my face, I shook my head, the tears returned ten fold, an undeniable burn settled low in my stomach, something I haven't experienced in years.

I let out a shaky breath, "I know about the debts," I whispered. "I know you picked me up when nobody else wanted me. But do you have to remind me every single fine I try to breathe? Do you have to make me feel like I'm a mistake you regret?" My voice cracked and I blinked hard against my tears. "All I wanted was to come home with good news for once. Just this once."

Sometimes she acted as if she really cared about me and on other days she said things that are like poison on my skin. She didn't even know that her words were knives, piercing through me long after she'd thrown them.

"Don't make it look like I said anything that's a lie," she said and looked away.

A sudden knock on the door snapped me out of whatever thought I was drowning in. She wiped her palms on her skirt, walked closer, and opened the door.

"Hello, how may I help you?" she questioned.

I glanced toward the door, my heart still heavy from our exchange.

She stepped aside and a man stood by the doorway. My breath heaved, his jaw was chiseled like it had been carved from stone, his dark hair was a mass of soft curls that looked almost perfect to be real. Even the way he adjusted the cuff of his shirt was elegant, a small gesture that somehow made the expensive fabric mild to him as if it had been sown onto his skin. He wasn't just handsome; he was the kind of beautiful that made you forget every word on your tongue.

I knew I shouldn't be fantasizing about a stranger who had just shown up at our door, but I couldn't help it. The way he looked at me made my fingers tighten around the hem of my dress. I told myself to stop staring, but my eyes wouldn't listen.

His voice snapped me out of the twisted thoughts swirling in my head, ''I came to see you," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets.

My aunt gestured for him to come in and sit, and I stepped back, still trying to understand what was happening. Then I saw her expression change.

"Alex Muretti... are you the one?" she asked.

She grabbed her phone instantly and rose halfway from the chair before quickly sitting back down. "You...you're the one," she gasped.

What was going on? Why did my aunt seem to know him when I didn't? My gaze flicked from her to him.

"The owner of the RV Resort and Crown Stone Enterprise," she whispered.

He only nodded, as if my aunt's reaction were nothing out of the ordinary.

"Two years ago," Alex said, still sitting in our tiny living room. "You borrowed fifty million dollars from a loan shark and couldn't pay back. They threatened to kill your daughter in exchange. Then you were told that someone covered the debt for you. A few months later, you went back again-this time you borrowed three million dollars. And the same thing happened."

My brows lowered, what I just heard shocked me to my core, "What do you mean my mom borrowed that kind of money twice? Can you just stop lying?" I snapped. My voice trembled as I turned to my mom, "Mom... say something."

Her reaction almost made me believe the story he was spinning, but I still wanted to deny it because she'd never told me anything like that.

Alex reached into his briefcase and brought out an envelope, and then he placed a document across the table. My aunt picked it up, read the first page, and her eyes widened.

"Okay? Thank you for helping us," I whispered, looking from her to him.

He didn't blink, "I don't want your house, your money. I want Adeline. A marriage contract between the two of us."

Goosebumps scatter across my flesh, my mouth twitch. I hated that I had thought he was handsome, but right now I could only see a deranged ugly psychopath.

Men, they always ruined everything by opening their mouths.

"I know you have helped us and I am grateful, but...I'll pay you your money back," she blurted out.

"You can't just walk into my house and claim you want a marriage contract with my daughter. Who do you think you are?" she protested.

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. Why the hell did I even think she'd accept something like this? I knew she loved money a lot, but not by selling off her daughter.

"Two hundred million dollars," Alex said coldly. "I want her."

Dread formed in the pit of my stomach, what the hell does he think of himself?

"This isn't about the debt," he shrugged. "I don't save someone from drowning just to ask them to pay for the rope later. When I do a good deed, I don't expect a thank-you, and I am still the one offering a sum of two hundred million dollars."

He stood, straightened his jacket and placed a card on the table, "That has my number."

He glanced at me for a heartbeat and then he turned and walked out without another word.

My mom clutched the card with trembling fingers, and for the first time I saw tears gather in her eyes.

"We don't have a choice, Adeline," she whispered.

I exhale, the breath stuttering from my throat.

Adeline Pov

I exhale, the breath stuttering from my throat, a knot of worry curling in my gut, "What choice mom?" I questioned.

She kept quiet and glanced at me. I stepped closer, my voice trembling, "What did you use the money for, Mom? I thought you promised me you'd stop spending money so lavishly. You lied to me-borrowed that huge amount of money..."

I didn't even know if I should be shocked. This was the woman who worshipped money, who made sure her skin always glowed. My mom cares more about her beauty than anything else. Even when people started comparing our looks, she would snap at them while I was pretending not to care.

I should have noticed. The moment she started changing skin-care routine, I knew it was expensive. But I didn't dare ask where she got the money. I trusted her, I never imagined she would risk borrowing money for something so petty.

I stared at her now, waiting for her to prove me wrong-for her to tell me she borrowed the money for a noble reason. But she said nothing. And that silence sealed my doubt.

She lowered her eyes, "You're right Adeline. I did this, I know I'm the reason we're drowning now. I kept telling myself it was just a little here, a little there, a new dress, a new cream, until the bills swallowed me while. I couldn't stop, I love the way people looked at me, and I hated the way they compared me to you."

"You can't blame me, You don't know what it's like to be me," she snapped. "All my life people judged me by how I looked, I built everything with my face and my presence, I know I caused this mess, I know my spending pushed us over the edge. But I couldn't just stop. Do you understand? This is all I have. My beauty is all I know," she added.

My hand drifts to my throat, where my pulse thrums heavily.

I shook my head slowly and walked away from her. I got into my room and slammed the door. I'd accepted that my mom made mistakes; I was used to it. She was addicted to her beauty.

But how could someone, in his right state of mind, decide to arrange a marriage with a lady you'd never even met? From what Mom said he must be filthy rich, so why couldn't he just pick one of those rich girls and leave me alone? If he isn't a psycho, then the pot is definitely calling the kettle black.

I grabbed up my phone and typed his name, Alex Moretti.

The images and articles that filled the screen knocked the breath right out of me. Suddenly I understood why it's important to always be on social media. I'm not a social media person, and now I felt embarrassed for not even knowing who the hell he was.

I dropped my phone immediately, my heart hammering. I was just glad my aunt had declined him and his filthy money.

There was a knock on my door before it opened. My mom stepped inside, "Adeline we need to talk."

I sat down slowly on the edge of my bed, and my bottom lips trembled a bit.

She took a deep breath, "About the money...it's a huge amount, Adeline. If you marry him, you'll have all the riches you need. You won't lack anything, and I won't have to bother you about doing some job that could fetch us a huge amount of money."

I stared at her, my fingers digging into the blanket.

"Do you even hear yourself right now?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "You're telling me to marry a stranger like I'm some bargain you are trying to trade off. Money isn't everything, Mom. I don't care how rich he is, I'm not a price tag you can hand over."

A lump formed in my throat but I forced my words out, "You're supposed to protect me, not sell me."

She crossed her arms, glaring at me, "Stop making this hard, Adeline. I'm not selling you off. It's simple: get married and enjoy. You're not getting any younger you will eventually get married anyway, and he's rich."

I felt something snap inside me, "Rich?" I repeated, my voice snapping. "You think money makes everything okay? You want me to marry a man I don't even know, a man I don't love. What's in a marriage if there's no love, Mom? Just two strangers sharing a roof."

I stood up, my hands trembling, "Marriage isn't a business deal; it's supposed to be a choice. It's supposed to be trust, respect, companionship. You can't just trade me for money. I might not be your real daughter, but you brought me up like one."

She rolled her eyes and gave a little laugh that didn't reach her face, "Adeline, you' re just talking like a child. You've never had to fight for anything in your life. You don't understand what real hardship is, or how much this kind of money could change everything for us."

I shot to my feet, my fist clenched, "Coming from someone who doesn't even know the value of money, someone who doesn't even know the value of love!" I yelled.

Before I could take another breath, she sprang to her feet, her face reddened, and her hand came down across my cheek.

I staggered back, I instantly held my face. The sting burned, my heart pounded as I realised how far this argument had gone.

"You're so selfish, Adeline!" she spat. "After everything I've done for you, everything I've sacrificed to raise you, you can't even do this one little thing I'm asking?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but she didn't give me a chance.

"If you don't sign that contract," she hissed, stepping closer, "I swear...you'll be burying my dead body yourself I promise you!" and then she stormed out.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, an Adrenaline burn has settled low in my stomach, something I haven't experienced in years.

I paced until my feet ached, the same scenarios running through my head over and over again.

A few minutes passed, and I was still pacing around. I told myself I needed to talk to her calmly-she would listen.

I walked out of my room and knocked on the door. No answer, and my hand trembled as I slowly pushed it open.

"Mom...I'm-" my eyes widened, and for the first time, I understood some truths are unbearable.

I couldn't move, the room felt impossibly still, my breath caught as my spine snapped straight.

Adeline Pov

I will sign it.

I couldn't move, the room felt impossibly still, my breath caught as my spine snapped straight.

I suddenly had the courage to move, my hands were trembling while I pressed them against my mouth. I felt numb-so numb that my tears refused to fall.

"Mom..." I whispered, then I collapsed on the bare ground.

"I--I'm scared... stand up now," I stammered.

But she didn't move. My eyes widened as I saw blood trickling from her hand, and a knife lying on the floor.

"No...no, please, mom," I whispered, panic welled knotting in my throat. The tears finally came, streaming down my face.

"I'm sorry...I'm so selfish. I didn't think about you...all I cared about was me." I said as I bit my lips, "Please...get up."

I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and dialed the ambulance, I fell back, screaming, "Where is the fucking ambulance?"

My chest heaved, I kissed her hand, "Mom...don't give up. You are strong, I'll do whatever you want. Just...stay with me."

The room was quiet except from my sobs, and my body shook uncontrollably, and my heart was pounding like it would burst.

‡

I sat down utterly still, emotionally shattered, What if...what if she didn't make it? The idea was unbearable. If she died... I would never forgive myself. Never.

I had always caused her pain. She was right-I was just another burden. A fucking burden.

I wiped my tears slowly, I knew what I had to do.

"I...I have to do this," I muttered to myself, and walked out of the ward.

Before coming to the hospital, I had already grabbed the card that was on the table. I let out a shaky breath and dialed the number, but it didn't go through. I tried again-it kept ringing.

Just as I was about to give up, the idiot picked up.

"Uh," he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes, I can't believe I'm doing this, "It's me...Ade....Adeline," I muttered.

"Talk, I have a lot of things to do," he said.

Why is he so arrogant? I muttered under my breath.

"About the contract... I will sign it."

"Okay. I'll send someone to drop a document at your house, the rules are there. Then I'll tell you what to do." He hung up before I could say a word.

I stared at my phone. What the fuck just happened? But there was no time to dwell. I had to get back.

I walked back into the ward, "When will you wake up, Mom? You're taking so long," I whispered, resting my head on her hand.

Then, suddenly, her fingers twitched. My eyes snapped open.

"Mom...are you awake?" I questioned.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me in a way that I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Mom...why did you have to do this to me? You know how much I care about you! You could have died! What were you thinking?"

"Adeline...." she whimpered.

"I've always worried about you...about whether you'd be happy, whether you'd ever have someone to protect you."

I shook my head, tears rolling down my cheeks, "Mom...you don't need to worry about anything. I will make you happy. I'm so sorry...for everything."

I let out a shaky breath, "I've called him, and I have accepted to marry him."

Her eyes widened, "Really? You would do this...for me?" She smiled, and it was like the sun had broken through the clouds.

I nodded, holding her hand tightly, "Yes, Mom. For you, I promise I'll be okay...I'll be happy."

She squeezed my hand weakly, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You've made me so proud, Adeline," she whispered. "I just want to see you smile...truly smile, my baby."

"Mom, get well soon," I uttered.

She nodded, and smiled.

Then suddenly, someone interrupted us.

"Get well soon," he said, dropping a flower on the table.

My mom chuckled, and she almost tried to stand. I quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, "Mom, you're just getting better. Don't stress yourself."

She smiled, "Alex Muretti came to visit me? My day can't get any better!"

Alex smirked, I rolled my eyes at him.

"Why the dead flowers?" I scoffed.

"Some reminders are more effective than words," he said.

I grabbed his hand and dragged him out, "How did you know we're here?" I demanded.

He smirked, "I always know where you are...and where I'm needed."

"You are not needed here. The papers-I will sign them. You don't have to keep showing up unannounced."

He didn't say anything, he just stared at me.

"Everything is your fault," I snapped. "If you hadn't come into my life...if you hadn't offered money to mom... she wouldn't be here. We wouldn't have argued, and none of this would have happened."

It feels like there is a rage polluting my insides, my organs feel like they're waiting and rotting beneath it.

His eyes darkened, and his upper lips threatened to curl, "Blame me if that makes you feel better," he said in a low voice." "But understand this-every choice I make, it's always...about you."

He stared at me with plexing pale blue eyes nestled beneath his dark brows.

Dread formed in the pit of my stomach, "About me? You-"

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him, and I could see the pulse throbbing in my veins.

"Stay out of my life," I scoffed, but my voice wavered.

He tilted his head, a smile curled in the corner of his lips, "I don't stay out of what I want," he said. "And right now... I want you."

A strand of sweat trickled down my back, betraying the anxiety I was trying to hide, I opened my mouth, my voice trembling, "I...hate-"

He glanced at me, and leaned in, "Be careful how you finish that sentence," he whispered to my ear.

My leg trembled as I staggered back until my back hit the wall, and I attempted to hold my breath on the onset of nausea.

He leaned in again, "I don't choose you because it made sense...I chose you because you haunt me and I want only you."