The Billionaire's Contracted Heart

the. The walls seemed to inch closer with each tick of the clock. She couldn't ignore what was happening. The burden of her family's troubles weighed down on he

him look sharp and serious. There was something cold about him. He seemed to control everything aroun

laid out rules for a situation she never asked for. In a way

h a steady voice. "I assume

e had read the document, but did she understand? Was

ed to speak. "Yes," she w

friendly. "And?" He leaned i

ay that she didn't want any of this. That this

hing the paper. "This is a business dea

her. "Marriage is what we make it," he replied. "This is

marriage was about love. Hearing him talk about

?" she asked, surprised. "That

he replied flatly. "Love is a nice extra, but

tion. But here was a man who saw relationships as a way to get ahead. She fe

ice shaking. "What make

he said matter-of-factly. "Sure, your family's in trouble. But you still hav

, a way to boost his status. She wasn't who she t

trembling with anger. "I'm just a

makes sense. We can help each other. Your family won't fall apart, and my c

that made her sick. She had grown up believing in love and partnership. Y

ars brimming. "How can I marry someone I don't

rds could describe how los

" he said. "Your family's future relies on it. You're signing more than just a paper

avy, pressing down on her. This wasn't the futu

xt?" she asked, bar

e public appearances and press statements. This will mark

e flood of emotions. Publicly pretending t

shifting but still cold. "You'll see this plan is

ed freedom. She wanted to make her ow

t to the contract. It felt heavy. Should she sig

She signed, her name barely legible. It was

the contract from her. "Welcom

e settle over her. She'd just given away her future.

one. "We'll contact you about the next step

anted to cry. She wanted to scream. Instead, she sat quietly, feeling the c

down. Tears fell, not just from sadness

much she tried, her life would never be the s