The Billionaire's Grip: Love, pain, and freedom

AMARA's POV

I couldn't help to see my father,a shadow of himself staring blankly into the hospital window, barely eating, only mumbling a few words to himself.

I walked towards the window where he sat in his wheelchair.

Hello father, how are you doing? I asked, kissing him on the cheek. I've come up with a solution, he said, staring up at me with a spark in his eyes for the first time in a long time.

The perfect contract could save both us and the company from its impending collapse. Damian Blackwood proposed an arrangement that could be beneficial for us all. I squealed happily, clutching my father's arm in excitement. But then my father continued, his tone more serious: "He demands a marriage contract in return; he is proposing to grant us the biggest deal our company has ever made.

I stood up and took a step back, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. I needed to sit down, my mind racing, marriage? Why would he want to marry me? The room fell silent for a moment until my father broke the stillness.

"I understand how you feel, but we need this," he said, his voice heavy with urgency.

"This company is my life's work; it's the foundation of our family's legacy. You're my heir, and I'm asking you to do this for us."

He paused, locking eyes with me. "The contract is only for a few years. After that, you can decide if this is what you truly want. By then, the company can stand on its own."

I watched him cough weakly, the burden of company evident on his frail shoulders. In that moment, the weight of responsibility settled over me, and I realized I had to step up. I resolved to do whatever was necessary to save us and uphold my family's legacy.

Yes, Father, I will do it," I replied, determined. He looked at me with a mixture of love and gratitude. As I turned to leave, he added, "Damian Blackwood would like to meet you tomorrow."

I paused, glancing back at him. I nodded, processing the weight of what lay ahead, and then stepped out of the room.

I called Seraphina and arranged to meet at a bar; I needed a drink after everything that had happened. As soon as we settled into a cozy corner, I poured out my heart to her.

"My life is heading in a direction I never thought possible so soon," I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice.

"I feel so helpless. And now Damian wants to meet you tomorrow... I don't even know what to expect."

Seraphina wore a smirk, as if she held a secret that no one else knew. "Damian Blackwood? That arrogant piece of work? She scoffed. He is well known for promiscuity, always on gossip blogs, seen from one girl to the other."

I just need him not to change his mind. Whatever games he has up his sleeves doesn't matter to me.

Don't let him see your desperation though, he just might take advantage of that and try humiliating you.

THE NEXT DAY

The words Seraphina had spoken echoed in my mind: "Don't let him see your desperation tho." As I prepared to meet Damian, I styled my hair to fall gracefully around my shoulders. I slipped into a fitted white dress with a V-shaped neckline, completing the look with a pair of stiletto heels. Damian is an imposing figure, but I refused to be intimidated by his gaze.

As I put the finishing touches on my outfit, I heard my phone ringing.

"Hello," while trying to adjust my watch on my wrist.

"Hello, Miss Amara Vance. Your ride is right outside," came the voice at the other end.

"I'll be with you shortly," I replied before hanging up, picking up my purse and heading out.

A sleek black limousine Range Rover was parked beside my gate. I walked toward it with my head held high as the chauffeur opened the door for me.

I carefully stepped in with my stiletto heels, and the first thing I noticed was how he crossed his legs from ankle to knee.

I settled into my seat directly opposite him, crossing my legs and arms in an attempt to project confidence.

The silence was deafening. The car had been driving for over fifteen minutes without a single word exchanged. Finally, it came to a stop outside his hotel. He exited the vehicle and, still in silence, led me to his suite.

"Strip," were the first words my soon-to-be husband said to me.

"I am not a call-girl," I replied defiantly.

With his hands in his pockets, he turned to face me. "You have two choices: walk through that door and forget about the contract, or stay and give away your right to choose."

"Why are you doing this"?

"Because I can",he replied with a smirk on his face.

You're just like they say-arrogant," I said, reluctantly trying to unzip my dress.

"An arrogant billionaire who owns you," he replied, stepping closer, his voice low and intimate as he leaned in to whisper in my ear.

His breath was warm against my neck as he raised my hair to unzip my dress. My body stiffened at the unexpected closeness, and the dress slipped to the ground at my feet.

My mind raced with anxiety. Was he really going to force me to sleep with him?

His fingers traced the bone of my back down to my waist, sending goosebumps creeping from my neck to my lower back. Am I enjoying his touch? I thought to myself, confusion swirling in my mind.

Suddenly, I became aware of his absence, jolted from my thoughts. "The wedding will be at the courthouse on Friday," Damian said as he turned away, leaving me standing there in just my bra and pants.

I laid on the bed, arms spread apart, staring at the ceiling. In two days' time, I will be married to a stranger who scares me, the weight of the situation crashing down on me. It couldn't be that bad. I shrugged, getting up the bed.