Billionaire's Secret Bride: Sweet Wife, You're Mine

Sophie's pov

"You're limping around and you think you're going to college? You're so selfish! Your brother doesn't even have money for his wedding and you presume to waste your time in school with our hard-earned money? You'd better forget your stupid dreams and concentrate on finding a husband! Bring home a decent dowry and do something useful for once at least!"

My father followed and scoffed, "Who told you to be a hero? Rushing in front of a car to save a stranger! We had to pay for your treatment with every penny we saved, you reckless fool. You ruined us, and for what? For someone you don't even know!"

I shivered as my parents' harsh words hit me, my eyes tearing up as I remembered the reason for my lame leg.

A week ago, I was walking down the street, headed to register for university. I got my leg hit by a car because I tried to save an old lady crossing the street.

But my parents didn't think it was worth spending money to save a daughter's leg, and I was forced out of the hospital by them.

However, even then, I didn't regret what I did.

It's important to me that this old woman is alive.

It's just that I don't have any savings to support me in college anymore. I originally paid for college by working part-time jobs. My parents won't be giving me any help with my life.

My fists were clenched, I wasn't going to give up like that.

"That's not true! The old lady gave you a million dollars, but you refused to let me continue my treatment!" I couldn't help but argue back. While I was being treated in the hospital, I overheard a conversation about the old lady giving my parents money for medical expenses. But now they're not mentioning it at all, and my heart feels like it's being crushed, making it difficult for me to breathe.

With a loud pop, my father's beer bottle hit my forehead, blood immediately oozed out of it, and my head felt dizzy.

"How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know how much money we've spent on you? Medical bills, treatments, everything! And the years we spent feeding you and raising you? You didn't grow up on air, bitch!" Father said angrily.

My mother took one look at my wound and immediately withdrew her gaze as she followed in disgust, "Don't think about school. Who would hire a crippled person? You'd better find someone stupid enough to marry you before they realize you're a burden."

My eyes widened. Are they really my biological parents? I'm 18 years old now, and I can completely separate from them. I'd rather work to support myself than follow their arrangements.

I angrily glared at them and shouted, "I absolutely won't accept your arrangements! Absolutely not!" After saying that, I saw my father's eyes turn red as if he wanted to kill me right away. He tried to charge at me, but my mother stopped him. "Mark, we still need her. If you kill her now, we'll lose a lot of money."

I heard my father snort coldly, then reluctantly sat down. My head was still bleeding, and I needed to bandage the wound. I had to go back to my room first.

At dinnertime, my head finally felt a bit better, and my stomach was growling with hunger. I planned to wait until my parents finished eating before going to the fridge to find some leftovers. I didn't want to be insulted by them again; I had no energy left.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. It was my brother, Jack.

"It's dinnertime, Sophie. You know, you need to put on some weight so men will want you," Jack said, giving me a stupid grin.

I immediately glared at him. I didn't want to bother arguing because I knew my parents would side with him without question.

When I went downstairs, my mother came out of the kitchen and started cursing at me as soon as she saw me, "You lazy b*tch, I prepared dinner, and all you know is to come and eat!"

I painfully bit my lip, struggling not to let tears spill from my eyes.

My brother Simon and my father looked at me with disgust, then their gaze returned to their plates. I pulled my chair as far away from them as possible. On my plate, there was only spaghetti, no side dishes.

Except for me, Simon and Jack's plates had steaks on them. I shook my head; as long as I could eat my fill, it was fine. I immediately started eating the spaghetti quickly.

"Simon, come on, eat more beaf," she encouraged my brother, her tone full of love. "You're still developing, you need to eat more beef to grow muscle."

"Jack, you eat some too," Mark added. "Your test is coming up and you can't afford to be at the bottom of the class again, okay?"

I glanced across the table at my brother Jack, who was wolfing down his food like an animal. He had poor grades and had just entered middle school, but our parents still doted on him. He was overweight, his face was round and his features were squished together, and he always kept his head down when he ate, making loud gurgling noises as he shoved his food into his mouth.

Jack sneered, "So what if I come last? It doesn't matter, when Sophie gets married, her dowry will be mine, and the money she earns will also be mine."

Mother nodded, then turned to look at me, her eyes cold and indifferent. "Over the years, our family has sacrificed too much for her. It's time to start repaying us. My side of the family has a distant cousin-he's a bit older, around forty-five-who has been trying hard to find a wife because he's missing a leg. It couldn't be more suitable for Sophie."

What are they talking about? They really have it all planned out, even choosing my marriage partner, no, choosing a buyer for me.

It felt like the blood in my body froze. I was sitting right next to them, but their discussion was as if I didn't exist. I knew they were betting I didn't have the ability to resist.

My brother Simon frowned slightly; he wasn't worried about me but about the family's reputation. "Mom, are you sure this is a good idea? If people find out we're marrying Sophie off to a crippled old man, it'll be humiliating. What would people say?"

"Who else would want her?" She snapped. "What, she thinks she's going to marry a prince? She should be grateful that someone is interested. A lame girl wouldn't have it any other way."

My hands were trembling, and they completely ignored me. I knew arguing would only lead to another beating.

I won't let their plan succeed!

I can't let them ruin me because of their selfish greed.

I'm now completely certain that I'm definitely not their biological daughter. Even if I were, I bet they despised me for being a daughter, because from the start of my memories, I've never received any care or concern from them.

When I was in school, I always got top grades. I received scholarships and grants every year, but the money never went toward my education. The money went into Jack's pocket. He wore expensive shoes and the most fashionable clothes, while I had to wear old clothes - worn-out shoes from a few years ago and second-hand clothes that my relatives no longer wanted.

My self-esteem withered. At school, I kept my head down, too ashamed of my exhaustion to look anyone in the eye.

But when I finally got into college, I saw hope. I worked tirelessly and saved every penny to pay for my tuition. I saved secretly, knowing that my parents wouldn't approve. After months of hard work, I finally saved enough money to register for classes.

For a while, my future seemed bright.

But a week ago, that incident happened, and I had no money on me. My parents would make sure of that, which is why they were so confident I wouldn't run away.

I'd rather be beaten to death by a vagrant than let their plan succeed.

I gathered what little I had on me - a backpack with my papers and a few personal items. I grabbed an old stick to support my injured leg and walked to the front door. I don't know where I'm going, but anywhere is better than here.

I hadn't gone far when I realized that there seemed to be a black limousine following me, my heart racing and my cane clutched tighter.

The rear window of the car rolled down smoothly, revealing a face I didn't recognize but couldn't ignore. A man sitting in the backseat looked at me, which made me freeze in place.

His face is well-defined, his jaw line is hard and clear, and the shadow of the street lamp casts on his face, so handsome that I can't breathe.

I hesitated, taking a few more steps forward. But he kept following me, right by my side. I swallowed hard, feeling nervous. Who is this person? Why is he here?

Finally, I couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, are you following me?" My voice trembled slightly.

The man didn't say a word as the car door was opened by the driver. When he stepped out, my breath caught again. I must have looked like a beggar, standing there with a large backpack, leaning on an improvised crutch, my limp more pronounced than before, while the man looked like a heavenly deity, sacred and untouchable.

All my senses were overwhelmed by his commanding presence. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, my mind completely losing control as I could only stare at him blankly.

He walked towards me, his large hand suddenly reaching out to pat my head. My eyes widened, feeling as if I was bathed in warm sunlight, an unprecedented warmth enveloping me.

Before I could react, his deep, magnetic voice suddenly spoke up. "I heard your leg hasn't fully recovered yet, why did you suddenly get discharged from the hospital?"

I felt my heart stop beating, and amidst the driver's cough, I finally regained my will, immediately taking a step back.

I swallowed hard, finally asking the question I'd been wanting to know. "Who are you...?"

Sophie's pov ;

"I'm Dominic William," he said calmly, keeping his eyes on me. "My grandmother told me about you. I wanted to thank you for saving her."

I blinked in surprise and my expression immediately changed to one of relaxation, it was safe to assume that I was now safe, but my face immediately lowered in shame as I thought about the fact that my parents had already taken 100,000 pounds from his grandmother.

"You don't have to thank me. I just did what anyone would do. And, you've already paid me..." With that, I tried to leave.

But Dominic immediately pulled me back, his strong power imprisoning me. "Where are you going alone at this late hour?"

My face paled as I remembered I didn't have a penny on me. I said in despair, "I don't know ...... I have nowhere to go."

I bowed my head, my fingers tightening around my cane. The truth was agonizing. I no longer had family who cared about me. My grandparents, who once loved me, have died. All that remains is the dilapidated house they left behind, now abandoned and crumbling.

Dominic's hand lurched as he said softly, "Your leg isn't healed yet, let me take you back to the hospital."

"No, really ...... there's no need," I stammered, "your grandmother has already spent too much money on me, and my leg - it's not going to get any better ."

"Who told you that?!" His tone became serious.

My heart was pounding. The change in his demeanor scared me and I felt pale. I couldn't find the words to reply and clutched the straps of my backpack.

Perhaps realizing that his outburst had scared me, he quickly adjusted his tone.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice much gentler now. "I'll find the best doctor for your leg. You'll walk normally again."

My eyes lit up, could I really still walk normally? "Is it true what you say? Uncle?" I glanced at his hard facial lines, he looked mature, I'm only 20 this year and he looks 30, I wouldn't be out of line to call him uncle ......

"Uncle? Do I look that old?" The corner of his mouth twitched.

I lowered my head, my fingers fidgeting nervously with the hem of my jacket. "No! Not! Because ...... well, you look important and you're so tall ......"

He sighed politely and immediately picked me up, I jumped in shock and tried to jump off. But his commanding tone kept me from acting.

"Don't move unless you want to be crippled for the rest of your life."

I immediately obeyed and grabbed his arm, if my leg was cured I could get a job to support myself!

I was taken to the car by Dominic. As soon as I sat in the car, I was immediately struck by how comfortable it was. The soft leather of the seats wrapped around me and the faint scent of incense. I sat stiffly, barely moving, not even daring to take a deep breath lest I accidentally damage something.

Dominic noticed my unease. "What's wrong?" He asked as he sat down next to me.

I hesitated. "Is this car ...... expensive?" I asked timidly. "I don't want to break anything. I can't afford it."

A look of surprise crossed his face. "It wasn't expensive," he replied calmly, but in reality, I was riding in a car that cost more than most people make in a lifetime. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

I relaxed a little, but still sat up straight. Exhaustion soon caught up with me, though. I'd been on my feet all day, carrying a heavy backpack, and my injured leg only added to my fatigue.

I tried to stay awake as the car started, but the comfort of the ride was too much for my tired body to resist. Slowly, I leaned back in my seat and fell asleep. My head ended up resting on something warm and solid.

----

A couple hours ago;

Dominic's point of view;

"How did she just disappear?" Grandma muttered in a worried voice, "Did she secretly leave the hospital because she couldn't afford the medical bills? But I clearly told them that the cost is fully covered by us, so how could she leave without leaving her contact information?"

I kept a calm expression. The girl who saved my grandmother's life had disappeared, and it made me feel bad. People don't just disappear for no reason.

"Don't worry, Grandma," I said, trying to stay calm for her sake, "I've sent for her."

She shook her head, obviously still upset. "If it wasn't for that little girl, I'd be dead right now. She saved my life. And she was such a sweet girl - she had an oval face, big, kind eyes, and the palest skin I've ever seen. Like a delicate rose. If she were older, she would make a perfect wife for you. Dominic, once you settle down and find a good wife, I'll be able to rest easy."

Hearing her words made me a little nervous, though I tried to hide it. My grandmother always brought up marriage at the most inconvenient times.

At 29, I know what people think - I'm one of London's most attractive bachelors, but aloof, cold and unapproachable. I wasn't interested in romantic entanglements, especially when countless women tried to use the name William to their advantage.

"I think there's something fishy here, Grandmother," I said gravely, "you rarely leave the manor, but once you had an accident and were saved by a strange girl?"

Grandma smiled at me, her pale eyes filled with her usual calm wisdom. "You can investigate whatever you want, Dom. But I don't believe the girl meant any harm. This lovely girl seems so innocent. Her eyes ...... are so clear and full of goodness. You can't pretend."

I nodded, but my concern didn't dissipate. I trusted my grandmother's intuition, but my instincts told me that there were more secrets behind this matter. I didn't build the William family empire through carelessness.

As I walked out of the hospital room, I turned to the assistant waiting outside the door.

"I want a full report," I ordered coldly. "Find out everything you can about that car and the missing girl. I want to know who she is and where she went."

He nodded, "Yes, Mr. Williams. I'll take care of it right away."

The whole thing was a bit unconscionable. The girl who saved my grandmother's life disappeared, but her family apparently took advantage of the situation and extorted £100,000 from her for her treatment.

I gave a cold smile. They had no idea who they were dealing with. To them, 100,000 pounds must be a lot of money, but to me and my family, it's nothing. An insignificant amount of money.

But when I saw the eyes of this limp girl, who really was, as Grandma said, like a pure gem, I immediately realized I couldn't let her go.

A wife? Maybe she's a good fit, she doesn't look much different than a sheep, and I'm sure I'll be able to keep things well under control despite her other plans.

(Now)

I noticed her struggling to stay awake as her eyes kept opening and closing. She looked very tired as her body slowly adjusted to the comforts of the journey. It wasn't long before she leaned back in her seat and fell asleep. I felt her head resting on my shoulder and my whole body tensed at the unexpected contact. No one had ever dared to come this close to me before.

I turned my head slightly and watched her sleep so peacefully against me. She looked so fragile, so petite. For a moment, I let her rest there, feeling the warmth of her head against my shoulder.

But then reality hit her. She was just a stranger. Nothing more. I gently pushed her toward the window. There was no need to be so close.

She barely moved, just leaned her head against the car window.

I leaned back in my seat.

From what I've gathered, she just turned 20, but looks much younger. There is no doubt that life has been cruel to her. The report paints a sad picture - growing up forced to do heavy work and being constantly abused verbally and physically.

On top of that, she doesn't get enough to eat most of the time. No wonder she looked so weak, almost emaciated.

I found myself beginning to wonder about her intentions. Was it really a coincidence that she saved my grandmother? Would someone be so selfless as to risk their life without expecting anything in return? Or had someone bribed her, knowing that she would be desperate for any help she could get?

----

When we arrived at the private hospital, I watched as they carefully moved her in.

This place is run by my old friend Chase, and it's one of the best hospitals in the country. Only the wealthiest can afford treatment here, and places like this spare no expense.

I want her to be taken care of and I know Chase won't disappoint.

I took out my cell phone and dialed Chase's number directly. Once the call was answered, I didn't waste any more time with pleasantries.

"Chase, send someone to keep an eye on her for me. If she escapes again, I'll make the project you're working on disappear."

He laughed, that familiar, laid-back laugh of his. "Relax, man. Even if I lose myself, I won't lose track of your little sweetheart."

I clenched my teeth. "Watch what you say."

"Okay, okay," he said, pleasure evident in his voice. I could almost hear the smile on his face. "I'll keep it a secret, don't worry."

But the asshole didn't. An hour later my secretary came running.

"Sir, Miss Amanda is making a scene in Miss Sophie's hospital room! Miss Sophie ...... she's bleeding!"

Sophie's pov ;

I barely had time to react before she viciously yanked out my IV tube, snarling, "You little bitch! You think you can dream of getting close to Dominic? How dare you seduce him!"

Pain shot through my arm, radiating all the way up to my shoulder, but my head was so heavy with meds that I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone move. My vision swam, and my body instinctively recoiled from her, but that was all I could manage. I couldn't even lift my hand to protect myself from the venom in her voice.

Who's she, and why is she hurting me?

"You country bumpkin," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. Her perfectly manicured fingers gripped the bed rail, and she leaned in so close I could feel her breath against my cheek. "You reek of poverty, and yet you dare to look down on me? Do you have any idea who I am?" Her eyes were wild, her expression full of rage. "One call from me, and your entire life will be ruined."

I was shaking, both from the pain in my arm and the viciousness of her words. I pulled the quilt closer to my chest, trying to shield myself, but the movement was sluggish, almost pathetic. "I-I didn't seduce anyone. I just came here for treatment."

She let out a harsh, mocking laugh that echoed in the small hospital room. "A girl like you? In a private hospital like this? Don't make me laugh." Her eyes narrowed, glinting dangerously. "Dominic is my fiancé, and you think you can steal him from me with your innocent act? Do you think I don't see through you?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words got caught in my throat. I couldn't even remember meeting Dominic before this. How could I have possibly done what she was accusing me of?

Suddenly, her hand shot out again, and this time, I knew she wasn't going for the IV. She was going to hit me.

I flinched, my body tensing, fully expecting the strike to land, but before her palm could connect with my face, a deep, furious voice cut through the air.

"Stop!"

I blinked, my heart leaping into my throat as I turned toward the doorway. Dominic William stood there, his tall frame filling the entrance, his presence immediately dominating the atmosphere. His eyes that I have seen usually so calm and composed-they were now sharp, blazing with cold fury.

He strode across the room in long strides, grabbing her wrist mid-air before she could touch me. His grip was strong, and the sound of her gasp filled the room. With a rough shove, he pushed her away from the bed, his body a barrier between her and me.

"Who gave you the right to touch her, Amanda?" His voice was low, dangerously calm but frightening.

The woman-Amanda, I realised-stumbled back, her confident facade crumbling in an instant. For the first time, fear flickered in her eyes. "Dominic, please, it's not what it looks like!" Her voice shook as she quickly scrambled to explain. "She insulted me! She called me a bitch! I was just defending myself-"

I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to make myself smaller, less noticeable. My wrist throbbed painfully where she had yanked out the IV, and I glanced down at the angry red mark that marred my skin. It hurt more than I wanted to admit, and tears stung my eyes, though I fought them back.

His gaze flicked to my wrist, and I saw his expression darken further, the muscles in his jaw tightening. He didn't say anything at first, just pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping his hand where he had touched Amanda, and then tossed the cloth aside as if it were contaminated.

"Get out," he said quietly, his voice colder than ice.

Amanda's face paled. "Dominic, please." She stepped forward, her hands trembling as she reached out to him, desperation clear in her voice. "I didn't mean it. She provoked me! I was just trying to-"

"I told you to get out," he repeated, more sharply this time, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between me and Dominic. The confident, vengeful woman who had stormed into my room just minutes ago was gone. Now, she looked almost pitiful, like she couldn't quite believe this was happening.

With one last, pleading look at Dominic, she grabbed her purse from the chair and stormed out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor as she left.

The room fell into silence.

The good sir turned back to me, his expression softening as his gaze landed on my wrist. He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as if trying to calm himself down before speaking. "Sophie?"

I swallowed, my throat dry, as I loosened my death grip on the blanket. Slowly, I lowered it enough to reveal my wrist, the skin around the spot raw and red. I didn't mean to, but I winced as I tried to move my hand.

The tension in his jaw returned as he saw the mark, and I saw something flash in his eyes-anger, guilt, maybe both. Without a word, he pulled out his phone and called for a nurse.

Within minutes, a nurse arrived, moving quickly to reinsert the IV and clean the wound. She was efficient, but gentle, asking me if I was in pain or if I needed anything. I shook my head, staying quiet, my heart still pounding in my chest.

The good sir stood beside me the whole time, watching with a dark look that made the nurse nervous. She kept casting glances at him as she worked, clearly eager to finish her task and leave. When she finally stepped back, she mumbled a polite "Let me know if you need anything else," before quickly exiting the room.

Once the door clicked shut behind her, he turned to me again, his expression unreadable. I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. A part of me felt like I should apologise, but for what? For being here? For being involved in this mess?

"Am I c-causing trouble for you?" I asked hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No," he replied firmly, his eyes locking onto mine. "You're not causing trouble. You don't need to worry about anything. Just focus on getting better. I'll handle the rest."

His words were meant to be reassuring, but I couldn't help the knot of unease that twisted in my stomach. I never wanted to cause trouble for anyone, especially not him. But now, it felt like I had become a problem without even trying.

I looked down at my hands, unsure of what to say. "Thank you," I murmured finally, though the words felt too small, too inadequate for everything that had just happened.

He didn't respond right away, but when he finally spoke, his voice was softer. "Sophie, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I promise it won't happen again."

I nodded, my heart aching in a way that had nothing to do with my injuries. I wanted to believe him, but something told me that things were far from over.