Carrying An Heir For The Wrong Billionaire

AMELIA

I staggered to the entrance door of my house and flung the door open. My breath hitched with every step I took and I leaned on the wall for support. I stared at my parents who were seated in the living room, watching TV.

I could barely walk and I continued to gasp for air, clutching my soaked clothes on my body.

"M-mom, Da-d," I stammered, my voice barely audible. They turned to face me, their expressions plain.

"Why are you coming home by this time, Amelia," my mum lashed out immediately.

The little strength I had, drained instantly. I collapsed to the floor, still clutching my clothes.

My dad stood up, tapping my mother's shoulder. "Calm down and talk to her, dear. She looks terrified."

He strode to me and bent down, holding my shoulders. "Where have you been dear? Why are you soaked and why are your clothes torn?"

I glanced at my mum and she was looking at me, a mix of concern and annoyance on her face. She couldn't approach me nor look at me. She was hesitating to say something to me.

"When you're done with whatever you're doing, go and clean the kitchen up," she said, scrunching her nose and retreating upstairs.

Since I was born, she had barely paid attention to me. It was like she never wanted to see my face. She always avoided me and I couldn't tell why.

"Come on dear, don't worry about how she's acting. Tell me what's wrong," my dad said and helped me up from the floor.

My legs shook slightly as I walked till I reached the sofa and collapsed on it.

"Go ahead," he said. "I'm listening."

"It's w-work dad," I began, my lips quivering. "It happened at work. I was....."

But before I could start, tears slid down my cheeks. I couldn't stop it so I let it flow.

"No, don't cry dear," my dad said, wiping my tears with his hands. "Don't cry. If you can't talk now, then don't bother."

I heaved, my body weak. I was soaked, panting heavily and my clothes were slightly torn. Slowly, I stood up and walked upstairs, holding the handrail for support. My father called after me but I didn't respond.

When I got to my room, I locked the door and collapsed on the floor beside my bed. Tears continued to roll down my face as I recalled what had happened.

I worked in a famous classic bar for prominent people. It was supposed to be a normal evening, with just an hour for my shift to end.

My boss had told me to go and serve an important guest in a private room and I did. But as I delivered his order and was about to leave, he pulled me back forcefully and I fell to the floor. The room was fixed with red lights and so I couldn't see his face clearly.

Just as I was about to stand up and leave, he pinned me to the floor and tried to take off my clothes. I struggled with him for a while, then he struck me hard twice on my face, causing me to stop struggling.

I tried to fight back and scream but it was to no avail. The music from the bar was loud enough for a scream to be silent. He exploited me without remorse and when he was done, he stood up to leave. In my weak state, I glanced at his face but could only see a long scar on his neck.

He left the room and I laid on the floor, feeling helpless. A knock on the door suddenly jolted me from my thoughts.

"Amelia, open the door right now," my sister, Amy called. "What are you doing in there?"

I slowly stood up and strode to the door, my body slightly shaking from the soaked clothes I wore. I unlocked the door and it quickly flung open.

"Why did you have to lock the door? Did you forget we stay in the same room? And it's not like I enjoy the idea."

I ignored her and turned to go into the bathroom to change from my soaked clothes.

"You look helpless, Amelia," Amy said, scanning me. "What were you up to this time?"

I ignored her and went into the bathroom. "Bitch," I muttered as I shut the bathroom door. She was always there to annoy me.

Four weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant. I took the pregnancy strip test three times to be sure of what I had discovered. My heart sank to my stomach at the realization of it. I was only 19 years old and I was about to take my nursing exams.

My clothes had begun to tight me, my jeans not sizing me again. My best friend had told me to go for a test when he realised I had gained weight unusually. I quickly put the strips into a plastic bag and tossed it in the bin in my bedroom.

"What's this, Amelia? Why is a pregnancy strip in the bin?" Amy asked later that day as I was in the living room with my parents.

I stood up, my eyes widened. How did she find it? My mind reeled at the implications of the discovery.

"What were you looking for in the waste bin?" I asked. She sneered at me, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

"That's not the question Amelia. Why is it in our bin and why is it positive?"

My mum walked to my sister and took the strip from her hand. "What is this Amelia? Are you pregnant? Is this yours?"

"Obviously, mum. Can't you see the shocked look on her face? Amelia is pregnant," Amy said, looking at me, smirking wickedly while her eyes glistered.

I didn't know what to say. If I denied it, my mum would surely make me take another test in her presence. My sister didn't even give me a chance to explain. I stared at my mum, unable to utter a word.

**************************************

Three years had passed since that awful day but the memory of their judgement still hung.

My mother would have thrown me out of the house if my father hadn't intervened and changed her mind. And my sister, stood smirking and watching me beg my mum.

Her coldness towards me increased from that day onwards. She pretended like I didn't exist in the family. I could manage until I gave birth as I had agreed to keep the baby against my mother's wishes. It wasn't an easy decision, but I don't regret it. My son is my strength, my everything.

"Noah," I called after my son who was running. "Please don't run or you'll fall. This is a hospital."

He didn't listen. He was always running around, waiting for me to catch him. Just as he was about to run inside a patient's room, the room door opened and he collided into a tall male figure and fell.

I rushed to him and picked him up, checking his body for scratches or injuries. "Are you alright, dear?" I asked, hugging him, my heart beating.

As I looked up to see the man, I froze. He had the same deep green eyes as my son and they had a striking resemblance.

AMELIA

The man stood tall, his face stern. His eyes hoovered around Noah, his eyes narrowing without uttering a word. His cold and deep green eyes lingered on my son's features. I pulled my son closer, my heart thumping.

Then he turned to me. "Move your kid out of my way," he said, his voice a low command and his expression unreadable. "If you can't control him, then don't bring him to places like this."

He looked away and strode past me, his steps calculated. I glanced back at him and my gaze flickered to a blood clotted bandage circling his wrist.

I picked my son up in my arms, still staring at the man. His deep green eyes were boring in my memory. The striking resemblance to my son. It made my heart race.

"Amelia!" A hand landed on my shoulder from behind. I turned to see Xander's concerned face. "Amelia, are you okay?"

Xander Fletcher was my only friend and best friend since childhood. He was always there for me, mostly in times of troubles. He accompanied me throughout my pregnancy period without complaint.

He also recommended this job vacancy of a nurse for me, knowing that I loved nursing. I was grateful to have him by my side.

"Yes, I am," I replied, my eyes straying to where the man had vanished.

"Did you meet up for the job interview?" he asked, brushing his wavy blonde hair away from his face.

"The interview was rescheduled," I said, my voice soft.

"Momma, I want to go home," Noah said, his words scrambled, though I could still understand, as he tapped my cheeks lightly. I looked at him. He was already worn out from running around and he needed to rest.

"Alright son," I said, brushing strands of his wavy hair away from his face. "We'll go home now."

Xander proposed to carry him and I agreed. "Let's go home, little champ," Xander said, smiling as he lifted him in his arms. I smiled, following behind.

*************************************

As I entered the living room, I was surprised to see my parents sitting on the sofa, my father's expression heavy. Xander had dropped me off in his car and left.

"Amelia, can you sit for some minutes, your mother and I would like to talk to you," my father said, his voice hesitant.

I laid my son, who was already sleeping peacefully in my arms, on the sofa beside me.

I glanced at my mum and there was no emotion on her face. I sat down, rubbing my palms together as my eyes flickered between them.

"You are getting married to Conrad Pierre in five days time," my mum blurted, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

I furrowed my brows, glancing at both of them. "Getting married? What do you mean? And who is Conrad Pierre?"

My dad sighed, his expression dark. "Amelia dear," he began. "Conrad Pierre is your sister's fiancé."

I shot up from the sofa, my eyes narrowing. I was barely involved in any family events while growing up so I didn't know who her fiance was. I had never even seen him before.

"My sister's fiancé? Why do I have to marry him?" I asked, puzzled.

My dad stood and approached me, his expression soft. "Dear, please try to understand. Since the company went bankrupt, we have been finding it hard to survive. Conrad has accepted to invest in our company so this is the only chance we have."

I moved away from him, disappointed. "So, how does it involve me? Why do I have to marry him?" My mind went blank as I tried to reason with them.

My mum stood, facing me, her face etched with irritation. "Nothing is free. Everything comes at a price. Your fiancé is dead, so is your sister and the least you could do for this family is accept the proposal." She rolled her eyes at me and exited the living room.

My father tried to hold my shoulder but I moved away from him again. "There was no other option, Amelia," he explained, his voice low. "He wanted another bride in exchange for his investment."

I scoffed. "A substitute bride then." And just like that, they accepted for me to be his bride. I tightened my jaw, glaring at my father. They didn't even seek my approval first. I carefully carried my son and went upstairs, ignoring his talks.

*************************************

I laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The shriek that tore from my mother's throat four days ago was a primal sound, one I had never heard before and hoped never to hear again. She had never cried for me like that or at all when I had broken my head and bled.

That fateful morning, as I opened the entrance door, I was shocked to see my fiancé, Brandon and my sister, Amy lying lifeless on our door step, their arms flung out.

The sight was surreal, like a painting rendered in shades of impossible horror. My parents, mostly my mum, refused to accept the sight in front of them. But I stood there, staring at them, a strange metallic taste filling my mouth, but it wasn't fear. Only a profound, chilling emptiness.

To my mum, her only daughter was dead. I wasn't considered her daughter, since I was born. I wasn't sad, not this time. True, my fiance treated me like I was some rejected monster, he deserved to suffer, but I didn't think it would end like this.

However, I didn't panic. My mum hit my chest continuously as tears poured from her eyes that day.

"Why was it her? Why was it my precious daughter? It should have been you, not her!" my mum said, hitting me. My heart broke to shards as I listened to her, but I didn't let my emotions show.

I wasn't allowed to show up for my sister's burial or condolence as it was considered bad luck by my mum. I sat in my room, watching from my window as the people who paid condolence visit come and go. And once again, I was ignored and forgotten.

And now, they wanted me to marry her fiancé?

Without consideration? I would never agree to that.

Suddenly, I opened my eyes to see a hand fondling my breast from my clothes.

"Aiden!" I gasped as I tried to move away from him. He pulled me back, covering my mouth with his hands.

"Don't try to scream little sis," he said, a smirk on his face.

AMELIA

I yanked his hand away from my breast with a force that sent a jolt up his arms. "Get your hands off me, you sick pervert!" I seethed, my heart racing with a toxic mix of fear and anger.

Aiden stumbled back, his smirk faltering. "Calm down, little sis. No need to get violent."

I glared at him, my jaw tightening. "You do that again, and I'll hit you so hard, you'll be in pains."

He let out a mocking chuckle, looking at me. "Don't act so tough, Amelia. You're still a coward hidden behind a mask of bravery."

I sat up on the bed, moving to the far end of the large bed. His words sent a slight chill down my spine. Maybe, I'm really still a coward.

"You're delusional," I said, trying to mask the doubt in my voice. "I'm not the same coward of a girl you could abuse years ago, Aiden. I can defend myself now."

He looked at me, grinning widely, a devious glint in his eyes. "I heard from mum that you're getting married to... Conrad, Amy's fiance right? You should be excited."

"It's not your business. Leave my room now or there'll be consequences."

He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Consequences? Like what? Telling mum and dad? Don't tell me you think they'll believe you? You don't exist to them."

I swallowed, his words piercing through my throat. He was right. None of them would care. At least my dad would pretend to, but my mum won't bother.

I sighed, taking out a pocket knife from my bedside cupboard. "Leave! Right now."

He stared at me, his eyes dark and narrowing. Without a word, he turned and left the room. I quickly shut the door and locked it behind him.

I strode to my bed and sat down, glancing at my son beside me. He was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling. He was my pride.

***********************************

The sun had almost disappeared now, the streets growing darker as the skyline sparkled with city lights. I had spent hours dragging Noah from one hospital to another, filling out applications and hoping for even the slightest chance of employment.

The answer was always the same: "I'm sorry, you didn't get the job."

I sat in a small cafe across the last hospital I had gone to. I sighed, massaging my temple, my fingers wrapped around a lukewarm cup of coffee. That was all I could drink at the moment.

The last thing I needed was for Noah to notice how exhausted I was. I had thought maybe if I could find a job before five days, I would leave the house and wouldn't have to marry... Conrad Pierre anymore.

Yet, it was in vain. Luck wasn't shining on me, but I couldn't lose hope right now. I still had four days to go and I hoped everything would go well.

"What is this little champ doing here all by himself?"

A cheerful and deep voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see Xander smiling warmly at me, a briefcase on his hand.

"Hello, Xander," I said softly, managing a faint smile. He settled on a chair beside me, dropping his briefcase on the floor.

"Why are you lost in thought, Amelia?" he asked, scanning my face. I glanced at him, then at my son who was playing with his toy car.

"It's nothing, really," I said, my voice low. "Why are you here? I mean around this area?"

"My father sent me to retrieve an important document around here," he said.

Just then, a waitress approached out table, a smile on her face. "What can I get for you and this little, cute prince?"

I managed a faint smile in return, picking up the menu. My taste buds were bad and all I could taste was the coffee that had gotten cold and stale. "A toast and milkshake for kids will do," I said, dropping the menu.

"Alright ma'am," she said calmly. "Your son is adorable, sir." I turned to Xander and his lips were curled up in a smile.

"No. You're mist....."

"Thank you," Xander said, cutting me off. The waitress nodded and left.

Then, Xander turned to face me. "She was just complimenting his features," he said. "There was no need to correct her. Besides Noah and I both have the same blond wavy hair and slight similarities."

I shrugged. He wasn't wrong though. I didn't know why I felt the need to correct her.

"So, will you tell me what's bothering you now? You look stressed out, Amelia."

I heaved, looking down at the table. "I'm getting married in five days time, Xander," I blurted. Still saying those words and constantly reminding myself felt like punishment. A punishment that wasn't meant for me, but for my sister.

"What?" Xander's voice was a sharp intake of breath, his brows furrowing in genuine confusion. He leaned forward, his earlier relaxed posture vanishing. "Getting married? What are you talking about? To whom?

I squeezed my eyes shut, the absurdity of it washing over me in a fresh wave. "I'm getting married to my sister's fiancé, Conrad... Pierre."

The name felt like an ash on my tongue, heavy and unwelcome. "It was supposed to be Amy... not me."

"Who told you to do it? It can't be your decision," he said, his voice calm and understanding.

My gaze lifted, meeting his. "My... parents. They concluded everything without my approval."

He leaned in closer. "Why did they make the decision suddenly?"

I sighed. Thinking about the decision alone made my knees weak and my stomach rumble.

"Because of their company which went bankrupt. Conrad Pierre promised to invest in their company in exchange for another bride."

"But you haven't fully recovered from your fiance's death and they're dragging you into another mess. What about your son? Conrad will not accept him."

I looked at him, my brows arched. "Why do you say so. Do you know him?"

He brushed his hair back, looking at me. "He is the second son of the Pierre family," he began. "He has a zero tolerance for emotions or children noises. No one has gotten used to him yet."

I looked down at Noah, his blonde curls soft beneath my palm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my own heart. He was engrossed in his toy car, making quiet grooming sounds.

"I don't want to go ahead with this, Xander."

"My father's company is large and flourishing Amelia," he said, his voice low. "What if my father invests in your father's company? Will I get to marry you?"