The Unwanted Bride Claimed by the Billionaire

Cassie's Pov 

"This better be your final marriage, or you will have me to deal with!" My stepmom, Rhoda, whispered in my ear. One of the registry officials passed by us, and Rhoda gave him a forced smile. 

"Please, Mom," I whispered with tears in my eyes, fiddling with my fingers.

"I am not your mother, and don't you dare let those damn tears fall or I will end you!!! She said with gritted teeth, standing really close to me. "Your miserable, late father left us with so much debt, and someone has to pay for it! It's definitely not my daughter, so you better wipe those tears off the corner of your eyes and don't ruin this for me." 

Knowing my stepmom was one whose words never failed to come to pass, I brought a finger to my face and wiped the tears that lingered at the corner of my eyes. I had no makeup on, so I had nothing to lose. I paired my natural face with a well-known knee-length dress. My fourth time getting married in the same dress.

"But I'm innocent. Why should I be punished for my father's sins?" I whispered, trying so hard not to break into tears. Life was hell with the first three men I was betrothed to. I didn't want to go through that anymore. "Lauretta is his daughter, too." 

Rhoda scoffed. "You don't understand, do you?" 

"My daughter, Lauretta, is going to marry a billionaire who will push this family forward. That's even more work than what you are bound to do. I know I promised your father that I would take care of you. That is why I am sharing the responsibilities. You clear the debt, and Lauretta will bring the riches." 

"I will clear the debt, but not this way. If only you let me finish school, I would have gotten a job...." Hardly had I completed my words when Rhoda's hand landed really hard across my face. 

Tears instantly rolled down my cheeks.

"You ungrateful bitch!!! Never dare question my decision." She glared at me.

I brought my hand to my face as I sobbed quietly.

Rhoda was about to say something, probably to scold me even more, when her eyes dashed towards the large entrance, making her force a smile. "Here comes your husband. Wipe those false tears off your face." 

I obeyed, wiping the tears off my face with the back of my palm. I looked at the entrance and got even more confused. I saw three men. An older man in an average suit, and beside him was a bit younger man in a wheelchair who was in a baggy suit, and behind the man in the wheelchair was a regular dude in casual clothes, pushing the wheelchair. 

"Who am I getting married to?" I asked my stepmom with a heavy heart. The registry had a strict rule as to the dressing of married couples, so I knew it couldn't be the man in casual clothes pushing the wheelchair. 

"Who else?" Rhoda glared at me. "For a woman with no future and nothing to offer, you should be glad that someone has agreed to make you a wife." 

Fresh tears welled up in my eyes all over again. My lips quivered as I tried to speak my mind. "Please, Mom, don't do this to me." 

Rhoda chuckled, "He can't be that bad. The least you can do is to take responsibility for your actions. You've been married to three men. The relationship never lasted due to your silly behaviour, so they were not able to pay the debt. I don't think this family is rich either, but that's not my business, as long as the debt becomes theirs. They are probably in need of a nanny for their cripple son, so be on your best behavior and be prepared to stay with them for the rest of your life." 

Before I could say anything, the man in an average suit approached us. "Rhoda Tess?" He directed at my stepmother. 

She forced a smile. "Yes, I recognize you from the picture." 

"Nice to meet you." He stretched out his hand to my stepmom, who stylishly stared at him in disgust.