Illegimate Billionaire

The thunder boomed and crackled, making her jump in surprise as Amelia got to the hospital. She let out a sigh of relief, She just made it to the hospital before it started raining.

The hospital's hushed corridors seemed to whisper grave diagnosis and uncertain outcomes. She was beginning to get used to the smell of antiseptic.

She got to her mother's ward, opened the door and met an empty bed. She screamed and ran through the corridor.

"Please, my mother. I can't find her". She held back the tears as she tried to talk to the nurses, the nurses didn't even respond to her. "I'm going to sue you for not doing your job well, how did someone who's critically sick leave the hospi...tal".

She stopped in her words, when a doctor approached her, she felt cold chills down her spine "Noo, it can't be". He held her hand and led her to the ICU.

" We moved her to the ICU when her condition worsened, her current condition requires urgent surgery". He said.

His words drowned in her ears, her vision was blurry as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. This can't be happening now. She just lost her job.

With one last look at her mother, she ran out of the hospital like an enraged woman. She had just one option, going to beg her dad for help. Even if it meant taking a loan from him.

She sighed as she stepped out of the car, each step she took she felt a jumble of emotions swirling inside her,- guilt, and anxiety. The smell of old memories, she cleaned her eyes with the back of her palms.

She took a deep breath, as she pushed the door, she felt like she was surrendering to a fate she tried to avoid.

"Nobody is at home" a voice said, Amelia turned to see a maid walking towards her.

"I'm here to see my family" Amelia replied as she walked towards the living room.

"I can't let you in, Miss. Are they aware you are coming to see them?" The maid asked, looking at Amelia with disdain.

Amelia looked at her for a few seconds, before she left her.She walked towards the living room, It still looked the same,the apartment's modern design which featured state-of-the-art technology and appliances.

"Amelia?" a familiar voice said, which made her stop in her tracks.

"It's been a while, Amelia" her dad said, he was heartless. He could still recognise her after he threw them out of the house and never cared to contact them.

"What brought you here?" her stepmother said, she still had her devilish look. She was the last person Amelia hoped to see.

A maid suddenly came in, " I'm sorry I tried to stop her from coming in".

"It's okay, she's as stubborn as her mother". Her stepmother replied, " you can leave" she told the maid who bowed and turned towards the door leaving them.

Amelia simply went on her knees, "please, lend me some money, my mother's condition is critical, she needs urgent surgery".

Her father hardly looked at her as he went through his mobile phone like that tiny device was the most precious thing in the world!

Her knees were hurting from how long she had knelt down trying to beg them and her fragile heavy eyes held unshed tears. She tried not to cry in front of them. Never!

"Do you really want her to die under your watch? Please, help me" she pleaded for the umpteenth time.

She was vexed, and very much helpless.

"Wow, look who we have here, my loser sister, begging?". a familiar voice spoke behind her. " What else do you want from us?"

She looked at the newcomer, she still looked good and still carried herself like the spoiled brat she knew Ava, her stepsister, she was the true replica of her mother. Amelia knew with the devil's little brat around, it would be difficult to convince her dad to help her.

" We'll lend you some money, on one condition" Ava said."Marry Lucas Iyke in my place". Ava said with a mischievous smile. Amelia stood up immediately, her legs felt heavy and stiff.

"Lucas Iyke? the illegitimate son of Iyke's family?" she asked. Unsure of the name Ava just mentioned.

"Yes, that Lucas, that bastard, good-for-nothing illegitimate son of Iyke's family". She said as she leaned over to whisper in Amelia's ear " I heard he's a loser that's why I can't marry him" she chuckled.

" That's my daughter, she's as smart as her mother" Rose her stepmother said, she looked at her husband "Amelia is also your daughter"

Mr Rossi chuckled, "as long as the debt is written off". She expected him to say something better.

"Dad, please help me just this once". Amelia's lips trembled as she cried.

Her dad sat there, his face impassive, as he listened to her outburst passively. With the look in his eyes, she knew he had made up his mind.

A cold and piercing silence enveloped the whole house. She had to make a decision, it was her or her mother and as much as she loved her mother, sacrificing herself was one thing she never imagined.

She glanced at her phone, her pay off salary was not enough to cover up half of her mother's medical bills not to talk of paying for surgery. She was still paying off her college debts.

"You don't like the offer," her dad said as he stood up to leave. He was more concerned about his debt being written off.

Fear of losing her mum crippled her and all her thoughts were messed up too.

Without second thoughts, "I'd marry him", she said. The only sound she could hear was the tickling of the clock.

"Please, promise me you'll take care of her medical bills" she said amidst tears.

"Yes, you just keep your part of the deal, the wedding is tomorrow". Her dad said as he dialled a number on his phone.

Amelia knew her mother would be so heartbroken when she found out about this. She would have preferred death than allow Amelia to beg her father for help.

She went outside and looked at the sky, hoping to see a sign or the appearance of a fairy godmother telling her she made a wrong decision.

She was lost in thoughts, what was I thinking when I accepted to marry Lucas? Would my father really pay for my mum's medical bills? What if after everything she doesn't survive? What would happen to my marriage?

She jolted when someone touched her "Amelia.' She recognized the voice. It was her dad's. What was he doing outside?

" I'm sorry for everything, I'm really in debt and this marriage is the only way my debts will be written off". He even had the guts to apologise.

"I know you don't love us, would you be saying these same words if she died? She asked him. He couldn't even look her in the eyes.

" I thought as much, you can't even look me in the eyes".

"Just keep to your part of the deal" she said as she walked back into the house. She went into the room and her brain was flooded with thoughts again.

She wished she had another option, but marrying someone she barely knew to pay her mother's medical bills. Her family really backed her into a corner. They really got her this time

She would never forgive herself if anything happened to her mother because she couldn't meet the demands of her father.

With that she laid on the bed and closed her eyes. unsure of what tomorrow holds for her.

Her sudden wedding day!

Her dad was serious when he said she was getting married the next day. Preparations were being made to get her ready for her wedding.

The once empty mansion she visited yesterday, was now bubbling with life as people were seen busying themselves with one task or the other.

As she got her hair done for the wedding, her stylist noticed her distant expression. "Hey, Amelia,are you okay? You seem a little...out of it."

She jolted and sighed,"Just nervous, I guess. Big day ahead."

"But you seem really unhappy. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I...I don't know. I mean, I've come this far, right? Might as well see it through." She hesitated a bit.

She smiled, her stylist looked concerned but didn't push the issue further. Once she was done with everything and fully dressed, one of the maids who was very kind led her to a full body- length mirror. "You look beautiful, can I say you're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen?".she said with a sweet smile.

Amelia smiled a bit, although her heart wasn't in it. Who cares if she was beautiful?

Looking forward, she stared at the woman trapped inside the mirror. She was beautiful, and she wore the prettiest wedding gown with intricate designs. Her dad still had eyes for good things, she chuckled. Her long curly hair was placed into a low and elegant bun. It was perfect for the occasion.

Although the woman trapped in the mirror looked as beautiful as everyone said she was, her eyes reflected something else. It reflected fear, fear of her life after this marriage.

She was fully dressed and ready. She walked towards the venue for her wedding, the garden beside her father's compound. The air was filled with the sweet smell of blooming flowers, soft chirping of birds and the golden glow across the garden, casted by the sun's warm light.

Few guests were already seated, family members her dad invited. The priest was standing at the altar but the groom was not there. Maybe the universe was finally smiling at her.

Ava walked up to her, beaming with smiles " who attends his wedding late? his family is not even here that shows they don't even value him".

She moved closer to her and whispered, "I heard he's very ugly and he hangs around with thugs". That being said, she walked away.

Amelia looked helpless as all eyes turned to her. The priest motioned her to walk towards him, The groom is meant to be at the altar waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle but Amelia was doing the opposite.

She nervously walked down the aisle amidst murmurings from guests. What if he really doesn't show up? She have never met him,

"He's such a loser"

" Poor girl, I heard he's jobless"

"So shameless, who keeps the bride waiting?"

She just stood in front of the altar when there was a hushed silence, the sudden silence made her turn and she saw someone being wheeled towards the altar.

Maybe his family members are beginning to come, Amelia thought.

But it wasn't, it was her soon-to-be husband. Her heart plummeted in an instant, when it dawned on her.

Wait, she was getting married to a man in a wheelchair, her eyes widened when he was close to her.

Her eyes met Ava's, she was laughing at her. Who wouldn't laugh? this looked like a prank or something, her family was trying to embarrass her.

All of a sudden, her brain turned to mush. She didn't know what to do or how to react at the moment. Everything just seemed too much, but none of it mattered anymore. She had already sealed her fate and it was time to live up to her words.

"I'm sorry for coming late, it wasn't intentional" he said when he got close to her. She was happy he finally showed up, despite his shocking appearance. Besides, he apologised for coming late. He had reasons too, which she wasn't bothered about.

He looked at the priest, who cleared his throat and commenced the ceremony, her attention shifted to him entirely. She wasn't going to give up now or listen to more side talks.

The words of the priest sounded robotic like he had said the same words several times and it was now part of him. Well, he's a priest and officiating weddings was no longer new to him.

All his words blended together until she heard, "Do you, Amelia, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?". The priest asked. She remembered her mother, "I do", was all that came out of her mouth.

He repeated the same words to the man in front of her, when he responded the officiating priest said something that shook her to the core, " you may now kiss the bride".

Seconds passed and blended into a minute or two. Her ears were filled with whispers from the crowd. The fear she had was now replaced with a little sense of awkwardness.

"Kiss me" he said like it was a normal thing. His lip was a masterpiece of masculine beauty, the subtle curve of his mouth was a work of art.

Just then, she realised there was no way he could stand to kiss her, so she bent until their heads were equal, she kissed him, Lucas Iyke. The crowd cheered.

After the wedding, her father and stepmother were the first to leave the venue. Ava stood up and gave her the hardest stare ever before she left.

Guests began to leave till they were the only ones remaining."What happens now?" she asked, finally finding her voice.

"We move in together, You're my wife now" he replied.

She held onto the wheelchair, unsure of what she was trying to do. He stopped her, he pushed a button and the wheelchair moved. She just gazed at him.

" I don't live here". He said. Amelia quickly rushed to catch up with him.

A car was waiting for them, when they got to the car someone helped him into the car and she sat beside him. "Don't worry, I borrowed it from a friend, my outfit also". She nodded.

"You must be embarrassed to marry the illegitimate loser son of Iyke's family" he broke the long silence.

"I never knew Rossi had two daughters," he added.

"I'm the eldest" she looked at his face, " you must be embarrassed too, you're not married to the heiress". He looked at her.

"My dad sent my mum and I out of the house when I was little". She tried to explain why she was not the heiress.

He gave her the warmest smile " that makes the two of us, my mother is just a mistress". She chuckled. He wasn't that bad.

From his polite gesture when he arrived late to his openness, if this was truly his real nature the idea of getting married to a stranger wasn't a bad idea she thought.

"About the wheelchair, it's a gift from a friend". She nodded. He looked very calm, something wasn't right about him. She hopes to find out soon.

"We're here" the driver said.

She gasped.

It was a small apartment in one of the most quiet places in New York. She probably expected more. Well, his parents probably didn't care about him.

With the help of the driver, Lucas was wheeled inside the house and she followed behind.

She was fascinated by the interior decoration of the house "welcome to our home" he said. " I borrowed it from a friend of mine.

He noticed her shocked face " I hope it meets your expectations" she chuckled. He was expecting some sort of rejection but her response surprised him.

" No, I like it.It's cozy and tidy, where's my room?" She asked as she was standing in the living room with the kitchen and dining in front of her. Close to where she stood was a bed. A studio apartment?

"Okay, there's no room in this house, we will share the bed together. That's what married people do,'' he replied.

Still trying to find out if she was pretending. Any lady would jump at the offer of sharing the same bed with him. But again, he was crippled.

She froze for a moment, "isn't it too early? We barely know each other." She crossed her arms around her breasts. Why was he talking about sleeping with her so soon? She thought. Is he a pervert?

He chuckled, "I was just messing with you, take the bed and I'd take the sofa". When he noticed her flustered face.

She looked at him, and he probably understood the look on her face "don't worry about me, it's not my first time using the sofa". He wasn't expecting her to be so concerned about him.

Maybe she was okay with the house, but had she thought about the arrangement of the house? There was no privacy, just one bed, one kitchen and they'll be sharing the same bathroom.

"And lastly, I want you to be a good wife, I don't want to hear rumours about you frolicking with other men. Outside we're loving couples, inside we're just married on paper and we stay out of each other's affairs".

" I promise, I'll be a good wife". She just agreed without second thoughts. She wasn't happy about this whole marriage thing but she was prepared to do anything to make sure her mum gets better..

"I should shower before you and prepare din...."

Suddenly, the main entrance door opened. Cutting her short in her words. It was someone they never expected, maybe someone she didn't expect.

An elderly, not so old woman came in, Her blonde hair was perfectly coiffed, bright blue eyes and elegant outfit.

She walked past Amelia without uttering a word, as she walked towards Lucas.

"You'd have called, mum," he said.

Mum? Wait, that's his mother, the classy Mrs Linda Iyke. She looked younger in person. What money does to the skin.

Lucas cleared his throat, " excuse us, baby". He winked at her.

Baby? Did Lucas just call her baby in front of his mother?.Mrs Linda gave Amelia a stern look, as she left the house.

Amelia stood outside wondering why his mother didn't show up for the wedding and what brought her to his house.

She wondered what their conversation was about. Out of curiosity, she walked to the door and opened it a bit. She made sure she opened it without drawing attention to herself.

"Lucas, you defiled my order and went ahead to marry from that family. I told you to wait for Sasha, she was ready to come back and marry you". His mother said looking very serious.

He maintained a calm face " my life has always been detected by you, now I decide to do what's best for me. You're not happy?" His mother has always influenced everything he did in life.

"You even married their unfortunate bastard".

Bastard? Amelia has never been called that before. She has a father and a sick mother. She felt a sharp piercing pain in her heart.

She had heard enough, she tried to close the door when his mother said something which made Amelia stay back to hear details.

" I can't accept her, she doesn't even match the standard of my dream daughter in-law" she added. "What will you do when Sasha comes back to meet the marriage scandal? What would you do if her family finds out about this marriage?"

She sensed tension in the room, she also wanted to hear the answers to the questions. She leaned forward, when Lucas stood up from the wheelchair. She stumbled back, losing her footing for a brief moment.

He wasn't crippled, this whole thing was fake. She saw him walk towards his mother,her lip parted, a small, soundless gasp escaping like a dying breath.

Lucas and his mother turned to see her standing by the door. She locked eyes with Lucas, for a moment everything stood still,

Suddenly, Lucas slipped and fell. She just found out something about him. This wasn't just an ordinary fall. He fell and hit his head on the dining table.

Without thinking twice, she ran out of her hiding spot, all her attention was on her husband who was lying on the ground with blood oozing out of his head.

Falling to her knees, she held his head up trying to stop the bleeding.

"Help!" she screamed.

With shaking hands, she pulled Lucas closer."Somebody, anybody please help me." she had no energy left in her to scream.

His mother just stood there, Amelia was expecting her to rush over and pull her away from her son. But she did nothing.

"Please, call an ambulance. Don't just stand there, someone is dying here".

She jolted and picked up her phone, she made a quick call before pacing around the room.The shock must have been too much for her.

Her pacing was the least of Amelia's problems right now, her concern was her husband, they just got married. Her heart thundered with the intensity of a real storm.

If anything happens to Lucas, she's doomed. He can't die on their wedding night. She wasn't prepared to be a widow, a young widow!

She had just met this man, yet she felt like he was all she needed to survive for the rest of her life. She was nothing short of terrified.

The once empty house became packed with medical practitioners, Lucas's mother was terrified and never said a word to her.She just stared at Amelia.

Amelia watched as Lucas was lifted and put on a stretcher before rushing him to the hospital.

Amelia didn't care about her blood-stained body, she stayed close to her husband. She felt guilty for everything, if she just sat down outside and not tried to eavesdrop. Lucas would have been better.

Throughout the long drive to the hospital, she had a hot, burning curiosity. Did she really see Lucas stand? Why was he lying to her? Are there other things he's keeping away from her?

She prayed for Lucas to pull through this, no matter what they have to win. Her mind and body can't handle another shock.

They got to the hospital, nurses and doctors rushed to attend to Lucas. He was taken into the ER, while she stayed outside the hospital with her thoughts, waiting for the next outcome.

While she was waiting for the doctors, she heard footsteps close to her and lifted up her head to see two faces, one was familiar and the other she had not seen before.