Forced to marry the cruel billionaire

After hours of pain and sadness, I finished the task of mourning my mother's body and burying her with her siblings. A feeling of despair enveloped me as I stared at the newly laid headstone, alone in the cemetery. A grumble of protest tore from my throat. There was no one but me to say goodbye to her, not even that horrible man she had called her husband for so long.

"At least you're free of that monster, Mom," I muttered as I wiped the tears that insisted on falling from my face. I'm going to have to learn to live on my own and face the punishment you left for me."

I was just getting home when hurried footsteps came towards me, making me twist my neck. My heart raced as I came across the figure of some men walking towards where I was. I knew one of those faces well, and I didn't like seeing him there.

"Mason," my voice escaped in a whisper just as I slowly stood up to look into his eyes. He came closer and closer. "What the hell is that bastard doing here at this hour?"

My eyes ran around the empty place as if looking for something to take refuge in, but there was nothing but fear standing before me. I took a few cautious steps backwards, frightened. I knew Mason's cruelty, and I knew he wasn't there to pay a visit in the middle of the day.

"Are you trying to escape, Emma?" My movements didn't go unnoticed, in front of my stepfather. "Did you think I wouldn't come to collect the debt your mother left for me?"

"What are you talking about?" I said between my teeth as I felt my voice tremble with fear. I couldn't say anything else.

"Your mother's bitch died and left you a huge hospital bill to pay," he spat the words, and a wave of pain swept through my heart." I'm here to settle our accounts."

I looked at the faces of the men standing next to Mason, and I didn't like what I saw. What do you mean, settle the debt my mother had left? What was Mason up to? To my horror, the men approached, forming almost a menacing circle around me, their gazes fixed on me as if they were going to devour me at any moment.

"Take her," Mason ordered. I'll be kind enough to let you know that I've sold you to a wealthy man, for a sum that will not only pay off the debts your mother left behind, but will also make me comfortable for a few years."

"Shit!" My eyes burned with intense anger, but I wouldn't have time to question him. I had to get away.

"They won't sell me like a commodity!"

I acted out of survival, dodging the attack of one of them and landing a blow between the legs of the second. How I had done it, I had no idea. I knew I had to escape if I wanted to be rid of Mason forever.

A grunt of pain escaped the lips of one of them as, spinning on my heels, I began to run. Mason shouted right behind me for them to catch me.

Wearing a skirt, I had to lift it up to the middle of my shin, and that cost me precious seconds. However, my speed wasn't enough and when I looked back, one man was just a few centimeters away from me. I felt his hands grab me before he threw my body against the hard, wet ground.

A cry of pain echoed through the space, and an unbearable ache ran through my entire body. The man put all his weight on me, while I, with tears in my eyes, struggled to escape a second time. My efforts were in vain; in a single gesture, the man lifted me up and placed me back in front of my evildoer.

I stared steadily into his cold, empty eyes before feeling a slap on my face. I shuddered as I felt my cheek burn and a chill run down my spine.

"Have you forgotten the beatings I gave you when your mother wasn't home?" His face came close to mine, and I felt nauseous at the smell of him. "She wasn't even there to defend you. How can you mourn the death of a woman who didn't even believe your reports?"

Mason opened the wound in my heart. It reminded me of the times I used to tell my mother about the abuse I constantly suffered from Mason. Maybe she believed it, but didn't have the courage to get rid of him. Tears filled my eyes, but I wouldn't dare cry in front of him.

I shrugged before I felt his filthy fingers touch me, lifting my face to look at him.

"Think on the bright side, Ema, you'll get rid of me," a contemptuous smile crossed his lips, revealing his rotten teeth. "The man is wealthy and will make you his wife. You'll live well from now on, and you'll thank me in the future."

"No," my answer is firm, but it doesn't surprise Mason.

"I'm not giving you a choice," he shouted." the deal is already done. These men are here to take you to your future husband."

Hearing his declaration, I try to escape for the third time. My quick movements make Mason take dramatic action and I remember only his fists, closed, coming towards me.

I awoke, startled. Realizing I was in a luxurious, brightly lit room. I wondered how I had ended up there and who those people were around me. A woman approached and tried to touch my face. I cringed, observing my surroundings and looking for a way out.

"Calm down, darling, I'm not going to hurt you," she said, and then I realized that she was dressed in maid's clothes.

"Don't touch me," I shouted when she tried to touch me again," who are you and where am I?"

"I'm Samantha, Mr. Gregory's housekeeper," she said sympathetically," and Mr. Gregory ordered me to take care of your injuries."

"Who's Gregory?" Samantha arched her eyebrows as if in doubt at my words, Where's bloody Mason?

That's when the bedroom door opened, and a male figure walked in. He was a tall, fair-skinned man with an ice-cold stare. He had powerful arms and dark, straight hair. His large beard didn't hide his chiseled face. His confident stance stopped right in front of me, and his arrogant gaze lingered on my face.

"I'm Gregory," a tone of pride and coldness in his timbre," the man who bought you and made you, my wife."

"Wife?" I jumped to my feet as I felt a sharp pang invade my head. "I don't remember marrying you."

"Of course you don't." The harshness in his words made it clear how irritated he was by my questioning. "If you like, you can read the contract. From now on, you're my wife, and you'll do whatever I say."

Without any ceremony, Gregory turned on his heels and left. I caught the paper he threw, held it before my face, and read it. A mist hung over my eyes when I saw my name on that marriage certificate.

Suddenly, I found myself alone in that room with more questions than answers. I let a tear run down my eye and soon found myself desperate to get away.

How could I be married to a man I didn't know? I would never accept such a situation in my life. I decided that I couldn't allow the consummation to happen; after all, I was unable to bear any man touching me again.

I wiped my face and, when I stood up, I realized I was wearing new, clean clothes. The mirror's reflection startled me. My nose was red and all the swelling was even in one of my eyes. I barely remembered what had happened, but Mason had hit me so hard that I had fainted.

Carefully, I walked to the door, hoping it wasn't locked. The night breeze caressed my face as I opened it. I quietly left the room, slipping down the wide, dimly lit corridor. I had no idea where I was going; the place was simply enormous.

I spotted a giant staircase, and my light steps took me there, making sure that no one would see me slip away. My restless mind was searching for solutions. What would I do once I got out of that house? Where would I go? How would I survive in that cruel world, completely alone? I had no family, no one I could go back to. My mother was dead. But I knew that wasn't the fate I wanted for myself.

I was determined to escape from a husband I didn't know and avoid a fate that awaited me, one that could be worse than living next door to Mason.

I descended the last step and was ready to escape.

"Are you going somewhere?" Gregory's voice suddenly came out, making me freeze in time as a shiver ran down my spine.

I turned to look at him and saw him standing in the middle of the large room, his arms wrapped around his body and his gaze sharp, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"You took longer than I expected to try to escape," I sensed sarcasm in his voice.

"How did you know I would escape?"

"Mason warned me," he shrugged. He was right when he said you were weak and cowardly."

My fingers tightened on the sweater I was wearing as I stared at Gregory's cold, indifferent face that filled my mind. I hardly knew the man, but I hated him with all my might.

"What kind of man are you, capable of buying a woman to make your wife?" Feeling as if lightning had struck me, I boldly asked him, "Do you think I'm a commodity?"

"Is that what fucking Mason said to you? That you're a commodity?"

His gaze remained cold and full of loathing, only this time a discreet smile appeared on his lips. Which, in a way stunned me.

"Mason owed my company a lot of money. He needed to pay it back." I stared at him in surprise. " I needed a young, beautiful wife. This was more than a sale, but an exchange of favors."

Gregory's icy words echoed in my mind.

"Then it's worse than I imagined," as he finished speaking, I raised my eyes and watched him approach. "Know that I don't accept these conditions and that I won't stay married to you."

Gregory grabbed my wrists so hard that I groaned in pain. He pulled me closer and squeezed my bruised and sore face with his other hand.

"I'm not negotiating with you, Emma. I'm informing you. If you don't agree, I can guarantee you won't become exposed again."

I knew at that moment that Gregory wasn't joking, when he pushed me, making me lose my balance and fall to my knees on the cold, dark floor of the house.

"You're not here to question my motives," he continued with his vile and merciless speech, "you're here to be my wife and do whatever I tell you. You should be a little grateful and realize that you're now free of your cruel stepfather."

I couldn't lift my face to look at him. His words would hurt me far more than any bruise left on my fragile body. Gregory seemed to know a lot about me, while I had no idea who he was. The only certainty I had was that I had left one prison and entered another; once, that was enough for my broken heart.

For the third time, Gregory's voice echoed through the enormous house, this time ordering Samantha to take me back to my room. She helped me to my feet as I felt my legs trembling. I took a deep breath, hiding all my frustration, and swallowed my tears. I wouldn't give that man the pleasure of seeing me suffer.

When I finally raised my face to look at him, he was no longer there. Samantha dragged me into the bedroom because I didn't have the strength to move. I felt comfortable crying in front of her and she, after finally putting me to bed, began to console me.

"Don't despair, miss," she put the blanket over me," Mr. Gregory will be a good husband. As long as you're in this house, you'll be safe."

I stood up suddenly, as if I'd just had a great idea. With my eyes wide open, I grabbed Samantha's hand before she could get away and questioned her.

"You work for him," Samantha said, startled and trying to escape, but I didn't let her get away. "Tell me who he is and why he chose me as his wife."

She stood petrified in front of me, as if she didn't know what to say, but I wouldn't let her get away before she answered all my questions.

"I don't understand why he chose you as his wife," her voice came out shaky and slurred, "but Mr. Gregory is the heir to a multi-billion dollar empire. He needs a wife to take over the family business."

"Billionaire?" I whispered, and it was as if my strength went out like a balloon. " I married a billionaire?"

"You'll know everything soon enough," Samantha smiled as if to reassure me," you need to heal those wounds. Gregory's grandparents will be here to meet you."

Another shudder ran through my body. Things were worse than I had imagined.

The days dragged on as I spent most of my time locked in the bedroom. The only familiar face I saw was Samantha's, who occasionally appeared during the day to bring me food. Other times, a younger maid would come to her place, but she said nothing and wouldn't even look me in the eye. She would enter, leave the food on the table, and leave immediately.

The bruises on my face were almost healed, which made me quite apprehensive. I knew that as soon as I got better, Gregory would walk through that door and demand that I fulfill my role as his wife.

I still found his behavior of not seeking me out very strange. Since that night, when he caught me trying to escape, I hadn't seen him again.

Some nights, I heard his voice and his footsteps descending the stairs. Then, I'd go to the window and see him get into a car and leave, rushing. Occasionally, Gregory returned at dawn or only the next day. That man's life was a mystery to me. However, I had nothing to complain about; he stayed away, as if I didn't exist in that house.

But it seemed my peace was nearing its end.

I heard footsteps approaching when the door opened, and Gregory appeared in my room. I immediately went on the defensive, unable to look him in the eyes again. Not only that, but I couldn't bear to see him look at me with contempt and disdain.

"Get ready and come downstairs for lunch," he said. His voice startled me as soon as I heard those words.

What was he planning with that request? He had gone days without saying a single word to me, and suddenly, he shows up demanding that I have lunch with him?

"I'm not feeling well," I said, this time looking into his eyes. I regretted it almost immediately. "I'd prefer lunch in the room, as I've been doing these past few days."

"You should not question my orders, Emma," his arrogant voice and icy stare reached me. "Dress in something presentable. My grandparents are coming to meet you."

I froze, unable to react to that revelation. As quickly as Gregory had entered my room, he left. I was left with only the lingering scent of his cologne in my nostrils as Samantha grabbed me by the arm, dragging me to get dressed immediately.

I was terrified. Likewise, I had no idea what kind of people I would face that day. If Gregory's grandparents were as arrogant and cruel as he was, I was doomed. I let out a small huff as Samantha placed a casual white dress in front of me to wear. I didn't question her choice, although later, I felt it made me look a bit older.

"You look lovely, Emma," she said with a broad smile. She seemed to be the only one excited.

"How can you say that?" I sat on the bed, feeling like my body was collapsing. "You have no idea how I'm feeling inside. I'm scared, Samantha. They threw me into this house, sealing my fate without even letting me know the people I'm dealing with."

"You'll enjoy meeting them, Emma," Samantha placed both hands on my shoulders and shook them as if trying to inject some enthusiasm into me. "They're not as cruel as you think Mr. Gregory is."

I looked at her in utter despair, placing my hands over my face as I lamented.

If my dear mother hadn't passed so young, I certainly wouldn't be living in this situation. I cried every night, missing her and mourning the tragic way she died. On the other hand, I felt a sense of relief. My mother's death had brought me the freedom to live far away from Mason.

Was there anything worse than living with Mason?

I hoped the answer was no.

I saw Samantha leave the room and return shortly after, her eyes wide. She grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet.

"Come on, Emma, Gregory's grandparents have arrived."

She turned my face, ensuring the makeup had covered all the bruises, and when she was finally satisfied that I was ready, she dragged me out. Only like this could I leave that room-dragged.

Samantha hurried me along so fast I nearly tripped in my heels as we descended the stairs. I forced a polite smile when I stopped in front of the two elders. The woman had white hair and a kind smile on her face, but the man beside her glanced at his expensive watch and huffed.

"I have a teleconference with the London office in an hour." I stared at his mustache moving along with his lips, barely noticing him lift his gaze to scrutinize me thoroughly.

"I don't understand why you still insist on working," Gregory said, but the perpetual scowl on the man standing before me remained. It was as if he could see right through to my soul. "I'm ready to take over the business. I've done what you always wanted-I got myself a wife."

As I averted my gaze, I noticed a radiant smile on Gregory's lips. He stepped closer and, in an unexpected gesture, grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, pretending he was happy by my side.

It was the warmth of his touch that left me stunned.

"Where did you find this woman?" I was forced to tear my eyes away from Gregory and look at the old man standing before me. He regarded me with a demeaning stare. "She's not a prostitute you hired to pretend to be your wife, is she, Gregory?"

My lips parted in shock. That old man had just called me a prostitute.

"She looks like a sick prostitute." I had never been so insulted in my entire life. "She's skinny, pale, and has bruises on her face. Tell me, Gregory, are you deceiving me just to take over the family business?"

I could have let Gregory handle his damned grandfather, but when I looked at him and saw his desperation, I actually felt pity for him. I shouldn't have, but I wanted to help him.

"My name is Emma Scott, the daughter of an old farmer from the northern region. Unfortunately, I'm an orphan. My father died many years ago, and my mother passed away four days ago."

I felt Gregory's intense gaze on me, as if he couldn't believe what I was about to do.

"I am not a prostitute, sir," I forced a smile, though I felt an immense urge to insult that wretched old man, "and I'm skinny and weak because Gregory saved me from the mistreatment of my stepfather. He's a genuine hero, marrying me and giving me a dignified life."

"So, there's no love in this marriage?" he persisted in his provocations. "It proves I'm right-that my grandson only married you to inherit my fortune."

"You're mistaken again, sir." I widened my smile and boldly clung to Gregory's arm with affection. "I've never found true love like I've found with Gregory. We love each other."

Gregory cleared his throat, and I felt his body stiffen. Once this was all over, he would question me and possibly punish me for such boldness, but I had taken control of the game and decided to use the situation to my advantage. Gregory didn't realize it, but by helping him, I was also helping myself.

I barely noticed that the old man had spent a few minutes analyzing the situation, which had left Gregory impatient.

"Let's see, then, if what you say is true, Miss Scott," he said, adjusting the expensive suit he wore. "The inheritance will only be given to Gregory when you give me a great-grandchild. It's time to prove all this love."

A great-grandchild?

Now, I was truly doomed.