THE CEO'S CONTRACTED BRIDE

MI

nd turned to my shift partner at the diner. "I shall make it up to you next time, Clara. Please, it's impertinent that I get home right now; something vital." Cl

joke. I could not possibly bring myself to be married at the moment; I had not completely conceived of such a huge commitment. As I sl

to be welcomed by my stepmom, Madelin

You shouldn't have rushed back 'cause whether you'r

out to an old man in his sixties with a potbelly and a bald head? Are you out

ere would you ever find somebody who would do that for you? Are you even worth it? Don't you notice that scar on your

5,000? Is that all my life is worth to you?" I chided her, furious. "Don't I ha

r face ?" She smiled at me, and words were cut with a more profound insult by the comment. "Aye, soon enough, some suito

ve money, for sure, I will clear my scar. But that does not give you the right to sell me against my will.

I am not a prostitute like your daughter, who is so dear

to spin; I lost my equilibrium with the hit. Her hands were broad and strong, something I knew only too well. She had smac

e feisty loan sharks and Mr. Collins." She mentioned Mr. Collins, the man who offered money to marry me-yes, the hunk of money. He was alleged to be rich and with so many wives and concu

As for the wedding, I am not marrying him. Y

ur liver, lungs, and kidneys? Maybe even your heart, too, seeing as you have no brain to loca

the money for you guys, but I'm not getting married to anyo

ch pain. "I'm just 22!" Oh, the weight of the situation cras

ile on our way home from work with my mother. The crash was head-on, without warning, and it instantly claimed her life while it left me barely hanging on, wrestling far-reaching injuries. Three months in

much money and had put the company into debt as collateral. My father used to own a small bakery, but after my mother's death, he

the rest to take care of myself. But every second week, I had to give her $500, scraping together every

ssed-up emotions. My thoughts shifted to my boyfriend. He always knew how to cheer me up whenever I felt lo