Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex

Arabella

The last thing I expected as I arrived at Nathan's apartment was the sound of moans that filled the air. The living room was messed up with a woman's bag and shoes tossed carelessly; used wine glasses lying on the couch with an empty bottle of wine on the floor.

My pulse raced as I stood frozen in the middle of the room with multiple thoughts crossing my mind about who was in. I'd come over to set up a romantic atmosphere for Nathan, my fiance's birthday. He had no idea that I'd be here, but then, he was currently on a plane back home after a one-week business trip. It couldn't be him.

It couldn't be him...the thought brought me momentary relief.

Perhaps, a friend of his brought a woman over. Nathan had friends who could do something like this. I just wondered why whoever it was didn't caution the woman about her loud voice or why he didn't take her somewhere else in the first place.

Should I call them out?... I contemplated, rolling my eyes at the mess they made.

The moans of the woman intensified and I frowned, heading toward the hallway where the sounds were coming from. However, when I got to the room that sourced the sound, dread annihilated my entire system. It was Nathan's bedroom. Rage simmered in my chest. How could they use Nathan's room for shit like this?

Annoyed, I spun on my heels to leave, but the woman cried out again, and I paused, wondering why her voice sounded so familiar.

"Yes! fuck me harder!" She cried out zealously and a man's grunt followed. Whatever was happening was intense fuckery because I could hear the slapping of their skin from outside. Ew!

I took a step away but then paused again as I heard Nathan's voice. "Good girl, take it all"

My spine went taut, beads of sweat formed on my forehead and my heartbeat roared in my ears. No, no! I was surely hearing things. I couldn't be... He was on a plane...

"You're such a slut!" His voice was louder than the first time, and his words were accompanied by a loud smack, which made the woman shriek, "Ah!"

No, no, no!

I didn't realize how I moved and when but when I did, I found myself standing by the door, my hands slapped over my mouth and my teary eyes glued to Nathan and his partner on the bed.

"Bella!" Nathan's face had paled and he was staring back at me, horrified. My eyes shifted to the woman beneath him and my blood went cold. It was Harley, my stepsister. My heart shattered completely when I saw the sinister smirk she had on her lips. Of all the whores around, he chose to cheat on me with the one person I didn't like.

I turned and sprinted down the hallway, the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears louder than my steps. The delayed flight was a lie. What else had been a lie? Us?

Oh. My. God!

"Bella, wait, fuck!" I heard his desperate call but didn't stop till I stumbled over a heel – it belonged to her. I fell on my face. I couldn't breathe. My face had become wet with tears but there was no sound from me.

I couldn't get up on my own till he came rushing to me and assisted me. The fact that I had to lean on him at such a time, made my anger boil over. I lifted my hand and struck his face, the sound echoing eerily through the room.

"How long has this been going on? For how long have you been fucking her?!" My breathing was labored.

Nathan stepped forward, trying to touch my shoulder, but I shifted back and clutched my bag.

"Bella, please let's sit and talk about this," He pleaded, but I'd made a beeline to the door already, my steps wobbly. He followed and tried to touch me again with those hands that had been touching another woman. I slapped them off and glared at him.

"No, I don't want to sit and talk about how you were fucking my stepsister–" I choked on my words, my heart constricting painfully. "You know... God!" I couldn't even form a whole sentence. It hurt so much.

"Bella, please wait." His arms wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me against his chest. "I know I fucked up but... I'm sorry" He said, his voice laced with guilt. And that was just because I'd caught him!

"Don't be! I guess I should have known earlier that I wasn't your type. No, you should have told me because I'm truly dumb and had no idea" I struggled to move away from his hold desperately, thrashing my feet and arms. I would have gotten help if there were other people around, but this cheater had the whole floor to himself.

My body went limp when I saw Harley stepping out of the apartment putting on the shirt I'd gotten for him a month ago. I almost screamed as the pain that had evaded my heart twisted my guts.

"Stay away from me, Nathan. We're over!" I yelled, pushing him back with all I could muster. I then continued to the elevator, and he was hot on my tail.

"Bella, can you please give me a chance to explain? I'm sorry... This isn't what you think it is!"

"Oh really? What else does it mean other than you banging another woman, Nathan!" I stopped to look at him in disbelief. I couldn't believe he was trying to justify what I'd seen with my own eyes.

"Sweetheart, Bella. Please listen to me, I love you, please..." These words used to make my whole world spin, but today, they only intensified the anger I was feeling.

My hand itched to strike him again but was it worth it? Instead, I began to run for the lift.

"God, Bella! Stop acting like this is all on me. You forced me! We never got any time together because you were always busy or buried in your shit! I didn't know what to do!" Nathan yelled, and I smiled bitterly as I came to an automatic halt. Now, he was blaming his lack of self-control on me.

"If that bothered you so much, you should have ended things rather than lying to me and going to fuck that bitch!" I snapped, my gaze falling on Harley whose face had turned red from anger. She had been quiet and it was the right choice for her. She knew she couldn't stand my anger.

I looked back at Nathan who was running a hand through his hair. I always thought he was adorable when he did that but not today or ever again. The sight of him disgusted me, it made me nauseous.

Unable to stand him – them – anymore, I turned and pressed the elevator button frantically, and when it finally opened, I jumped in. Nathan was behind me, and he pressed the emergency button, making the lift stay still.

"Are you serious, Bella?" He said, his voice threateningly low. "You're upset and that's fine. Just don't take too long to get over it. I won't wait forever"

I stared at him in disbelief. When had he changed so much? His dark eyes were pinned on mine and I saw a small smirk tugging at the side of his lips when he thought he had gotten me cornered.

"You don't need to wait because I'll never be back, Nathan, never!" I growled and his face fell, and before he could say a word, I moved forward and kicked him as hard as I could in the groin. He stumbled back and as I watched him groan in pain, I shakily pulled off the engagement ring he'd given me and threw it at him.

I then pressed the button that would take me down. As the doors slid shut, my knees gave out and I sank to the floor. A sob tore through my chest and my tears spilled over in torrents.

Arabella

( A Month Later...)

"Will you marry my grandson?" Hallie asked as I adjusted the bed to her preference. Her words were playful but they had thrown me off. My eyes swiftly met hers in confusion.

Despite the playfulness that laced her words, her eyes held a glimmer of hope that made me reluctant to respond.

"Uh... only if he is good-looking," I said trying to mask my unease. I took a step back when a nurse walked into the room.

"Trust the genes, Bella. I mean, look at me, I'm seventy-six, but I could be mistaken for those sexy models, couldn't I?" Hallie asked, the corner of her eyes crinkling as she smiled at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't lying. She was stunning, aged just like fine wine. Her agility at such an age was commendable. I envied her strength and the heck of a core she had. I'd seen her sit up for an hour and not slouch.

If I could look half as good and strong at her age, I'd consider myself blessed.

The nurse proceeded to check her vitals.

"Um, I'll get going now, Hallie," I said, picking up my purse and the breakfast bag I'd brought along.

"Alright, darling," She said warmly. "But think about my proposal, I meant it." She winked, and the nurse chuckled softly.

My cheeks flamed as I flashed her a smile and then walked out of the room. Hallie, ever since we met, has expressed her fondness for me, but this proposal to marry her grandson was... something I didn't see coming, given that I'd pacify her whenever she called him names by adding more references to the list.

The man in question, I'd never set my eyes on but for Hallie's sake, I was firmly against him. After all, what kind of grandson just ditched his family and left them longing for him?

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, wondering if maybe he had valid reasons. But still, how could anything excuse years of absence from someone like Hallie?

Whoever he was, he must be cruel.

Checking the time on my phone, I cursed under my breath. 9:07 a.m. Shit

I clutched the bag of breakfast in my hand tightly as I quickened my pace, I was late to bring breakfast to Ruth. She was probably starving by now.

When I neared the ward, I took in a deep breath, readying myself for her razor-sharp glare when I stepped in, but my steps slowed when two doctors walked out deep in conversation. One of them was Dr. Khalid, my mom's attending physician

Their conversation seemed meaningful but the tense expressions they had on their faces made me worried. They had just stepped out of my mother's ward. Was everything okay?

When the other doctor left, Khalid remained on the spot, looking stressed.

"Dr. Khalid," I called softly, walking closer.

He turned to me, startled, then quickly composed himself. "Good morning, Bella." His gaze shifted to the bag in my hand. "I see you're here with breakfast for your grandmother. Please go ahead but make sure to see me before you leave, okay?"

He didn't wait for my response before hurrying off.

A sense of dread crept up my spine. He looked tense and overly serious today. Something was wrong. I pushed the ward door open, expecting to see my grandmother in her usual spot on the couch but there was a change for the first time in months.

She was seated by the hospital bed on which my mother lay, unconscious with numerous wires tethered to her body. The sight broke me every time I came around, but today, the dread I felt stemmed from somewhere else.

"Ruth?" I called my grandmother – because she preferred that – as I walked to where she was. "What happened here, I just saw Dr. Khalid and he was stressed out"

"Well, good morning to you too, my sweet girl. I thought breakfast was out of the books for me today." She smiled up at me, but I noticed it didn't reach her eyes.

My gaze darted from her to my mother and my eyes narrowed as I wondered what could've happened.

"I'm sorry, I woke up late," Sprawled on my desk at work, and then when I got here, I stopped by Hallie's ward– was the whole story, but she didn't need to know. I wasn't ready to receive lectures about how I was ruining my health working overtime and how jealous she was about the new old lady I found.

I met Hallie about a week and some days ago in the hospital's cafeteria, and we bonded over doughnuts. But Ruth preferred the word "found" and has since then complained jealously when I spent a bit of time with Hallie.

She wanted to be the only old lady in my life, in defense of her tantrum. Childish, I know but it felt oddly endearing.

"While I don't believe that, I will let it slide because I'm starving. What did you get?" She asked as she plopped on the couch, watching as I brought out the two-course breakfast meal from the bag.

None of us spoke a word as we ate breakfast which was unusual. Ruth had a lot to say whenever I came around, but today, there was a mix of anger and tension on her face. I didn't ask why. I knew it had to do with my mom, and Dr. Khalid knew about it. I would ask him later.

"So how was work?" Ruth asked suddenly as she took her coffee to her lips.

"Great" I muttered, avoiding her stern eyes.

"I see. It's so great, you have dark circles under your eyes. Nice"

Shit. I'd dabbed concealer on that. Didn't it do its job? Maybe it was time to get rid of my cheap products.

"Dark circles under the eyes are in trend now" I responded and she stared pointedly at me making me squirm in my spot

"Bella, you're working overtime again, aren't you?" She set down her cup, firmly on the table.

We're not doing this today.

I stood up and grabbed my bag. The last time we had this discussion, we leaned a bit into the psychology of sleep. What would it be today, chemistry?

I kissed her cheek and then went to my mom, who was still unconscious and kissed her cheek as well before heading for the door.

"Bella, where are you going? We're still talking" Ruth called out, her voice laced with disbelief.

When I got to the door, I turned and smiled. "I'll catch you later, Gran. I need to run" With this, I walked out and closed the door.

If I didn't work as much, we'd be doomed. She knew that, but for some reason was mad at herself more than me whenever we spoke about it.

It wasn't her fault our lives turned out this way. It was no one's fault.

Sighing, I squared my shoulders as I walked across the hallway to Dr. Khalid's office. On my way, I hoped to spot Sky, my best friend who was a third-year resident, but I didn't. I'd called her twice earlier but she didn't respond. She might be busy even now.

When I got to Dr. Khalid's office, a dreadful feeling knotted my guts as I knocked. I heard his voice call me in. Walking in, I smiled when he raised his head from the file he was reading.

"Ms. Carver, please sit" He pointed to the chair across the desk

"Is there any problem, Dr. Khalid? You asked me to see you earlier," I asked, walking over and lowering myself in the chair. I leaned forward, staring anxiously at him

A crease formed on his forehead and he sighed heavily. "Your mother's condition has taken a turn and the current treatment is no longer enough. We need to operate immediately."

"B...But why?" I asked, my lips trembling with panic. "Didn't you say she'd be fine with the current treatment she's receiving?"

Dr. Khalid shook his head, his face etched with concern. "There have been complications, Ms. Carver. Without surgery, her chances are slim."

A sickening chill washed over me as his words sank in. I would lose my mother? We hadn't come this far just for me to lose her.

No way!

"Okay. Perform the surgery then." I sounded completely stupid, my ignorance had been misplaced. Even a toddler would know what was needed at this point. But heaven knows I wasn't ready for that part of the conversation.

Khalid saw through me and he hesitated before speaking up. "I wish it was that simple, Bella. But we can't proceed with a payment guarantee. It's standard procedure"

A beat passed before my lips moved. "How much is needed?"

"Surgery and postoperative care will cost five hundred... thousand dollars!" He revealed and my eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, what?" Blood drained from my face and my legs shook as I slowly got up from the chair. Dr. Khalid looked away, resigned, leaving me to process his words on my own.

The wheels in my head reeled, struggling to process his words.

Five hundred thousand dollars?

Where in the world was I supposed to get that kind of money?

Arabella

Meeting an eviction notice hanging on the door of my apartment after leaving the hospital was not what I expected after learning that my Mom needed surgery and the cost was ridiculously high. But it was there.

Honestly, I had forgotten about my pending rent. My landlord had gotten tired of my excuses and this time, he was clear about his decision.

I had promised him a month ago that I would pay but things didn't turn out as planned. I had no savings. All I had saved had been channeled to Mom's treatment and stay in the hospital for the past year. There was pretty much nothing left of our insurance.

Now, instead of half a million, I had to realize about a million if not completely, but from where would I get that amount? The bank? I owed them as well.

What do I do?

what could I do within two weeks?

The clattering sound of my penholder falling from my desk snapped me out of my thoughts. Yes, I was back at work. It was a terrible move after pulling an all-nighter, but that was no one's business here. I made the choice myself.

I gazed around, meeting with Celia's cold stare, she then hissed and looked away. That lady did not like me one bit.

I shook my head, gathering my pens from the floor, and when I set them on the table, I noticed the private elevator lit up, meaning my Boss was on her way up. Just great! Pushing to my feet, I made my way to the coffee maker to prepare her coffee before she arrived but stopped midway when I caught sight of what was being displayed on the TV hanging on the wall across the workspace.

It was Nathan and clinging to his arm was Harley. A painful smile crossed my lips as I read the headline. 'Power couple step out in style'. I swallowed a painful lump as I watched them. Nathan hadn't called since I left. He didn't care. Rather, the next day, he introduced Harley as his partner.

No one knew about me when I was with him, and truly, I didn't care for the exposure. I only cared about him but it turned out that he felt the opposite.

My jaws clenched at the saccharine smile that Harley wore on her face. Of course, she'd be happy. She had been fucking my fiance for almost a year. Nathan had confirmed that they had been together for that long.

He had fooled me for over a year. I was mad at myself more than I was at him, how could I be so gullible? Why am I always an easy fuck?

I'd cried over him for a day and that was it. He didn't deserve my tears, what he deserved was losing that Dupont deal he badly wanted. That would crumble his ego. I knew how much he wanted that as the preposition he'd presented, was drawn by me.

God, I was an idiot.

He used me, my ideas then dumped me when he was good. How convenient!

"Bella!" My boss's voice startled me out of my reverie. I turned to her, flustered and swallowed when I saw the scowl on her face. Yep, she was in one of her moods today as she is every day, but today might just be worse.

My Boss, Steph, was a pain in my ass but very good at her job as a jewel designer. I idolize her, but that doesn't help her attitude.

"What is so interesting about the News?" She asked and before I could say a thing, she cut in, her voice sharp.

"Just bring me my coffee and be fast about it!" She then strode into her office with elegant steps, a contrast to her attitude.

I could feel Celia's piercing glare from across the room. She's so consistent with her disdain. I wish she could keep the same consistency while making reports. She usually made lots of mistakes that took me hours to edit.

Huffing, I continued to the coffee maker knowing it would take me ten minutes to make my boss the perfect cup of coffee yet get scolded because it took too long.

I let out a weary sigh.

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

After a very long day at work with my Boss on my neck every minute, what I needed was a good night's rest but that reality was far from me at the moment. My friend at work, Susan, requested a pickup from a club, so here I was in a club, dreading my life's choices as the bass sound vibrated through the room.

The club was packed with people that it was impossible to move without brushing against someone. Susan owed me big for dragging me into this disaster. She usually chose better clubs, I wonder what happened today.

I shoved my way through the crowd and finally saw her seated at the bar, flirting with a guy who could barely stand.

"Susan," I called, standing before her, and the guy she was flirting with staggered away.

"Hey, it's my very good friend, Bella!" Susan giggled, her face flushed and lips plump. She jumped down from the stool, wrapping her arms around my neck. I squeezed my face as the stench of alcohol from her evaded my nostrils.

Did she swim in liquor?

"Let's go, lady, I don't have time for this shit," I said as I dragged her with me, shoving passed people as we headed to the exit.

We'd almost gotten there when she suddenly paused, kicking her leg like a child and pouting.

"What now?" I asked her and she leaned against the wall.

"My bag..." She slurred, throwing her hands.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Where is it?"

"Bar," She responded quickly, and with an eye roll, I sat her against the wall, asked her not to move, and as I headed back into the sea of bodies, she waved lazily at me, grinning.

It took longer than I wanted to fight my way back to the bar, and when I spotted her neon pink bag abandoned on a stool, relief washed over me. I grabbed it, ready to bolt, but before I could turn, someone stood in my way.

It was a man I didn't know, leering at me with a sloppy grin and damn, he reeked.

"Hey gorgeous" He slurred, licking his lips as his eyes roamed my body. A frown formed on my lips as I glared at him

"Not interested," I said curtly, stepping to the side, but he blocked my path, his predatory grin widening.

"Aw, don't be like this. I just want to have a drink with you and, maybe later, see how good that body feels against mine," He said, and my jaws clenched.

"Well, I'm sorry because that won't be happening. Now, move!" I said louder this time but I doubt anyone heard. The music in the room was deafening and must've swallowed my words.

As I made to leave, he grabbed my arm and dragged me back. "Just one drink, gorgeous"

My stomach twisted as I yanked back, but his grip tightened. "Let go of me!" I shouted.

"You're feisty. I like that," He said

I swung my other arm with Susan's bag, but he caught my wrist in mid-air. Panic flared as I struggled harder, twisting against him, but he only laughed. Shit! How did I end up in this situation? I tried kicking but he had bounded me by his grip and proximity that none of my efforts made an impact.

My heartbeat roared in my ears. I was in trouble. For someone this drunk, he was fucking strong.

"Keep fighting, gorgeous, it's fucking erotic!" He cackled and then suddenly, the smile vanished from his face.

A fist slammed into his jaw, sending him staggering backward into a stool. His grip on me broke, and I stumbled back, breathing hard.

Before I could register what had happened, a figure stepped forward and threw another punch at the man causing him to drop to the floor. I breathed out, relieved but my eyes were glued to the man who had come to my rescue.

He was tall and something about the aura he exuded screamed power. Perhaps, it was because of the expensive smelling cologne he wore or the pristine clothing on him.

Whoever he is, he's probably very wealthy.

My eyebrows pulled together as I watched the muscles of his shoulders tense; he ran a hand through his hair and muttered a few curses under his breath before turning to me with a concerned look, which froze the moment our eyes met.

My breath hitched, my eyes widened, and my heart dropped simultaneously. Everything seemed to freeze in place, even the air got thicker as I stared at my savior.

Adrian?

I blinked to be sure I wasn't seeing things but his chiseled face still came to focus.

A bitter taste suddenly filled my mouth and my throat went dry.

It was Adrian fucking Davidson!