THE CONTRACTED HEART: A Billionaire Romance Tale

“I have a Proposal for you” he said.

Ethan Harris had come to visit me in my small studio apartment. I put down my paintbrush and met his intense gaze. I had not seen him in years, but he was still the same Ethan, confident and successful.

"What kind of proposal?" I asked, giving him my full attention.

"I need to get married within a year to secure my inheritance. And I'm willing to offer you a contract marriage for one year in exchange for financial support for your art," Ethan explained, taking a deep breath before he spoke.

I was surprised by his proposal. I had always known that Ethan came from a wealthy family, but I never imagined he would propose something like this. The idea of financial stability was tempting, but a contract marriage was a pretty big commitment.

"I don't know, Ethan," I said, hesitating. "Could I really go through with a marriage that is only for show?"

"I know it's not ideal," he admitted. "But it's the only way I can keep my fortune. And I promise to make it worth your while."

As I chewed on my bottom lip, I thought about his proposal. Financial stability was incredibly tempting. As a struggling artist, I had been living paycheck to paycheck for years, and the thought of having some stability was like a dream come true. But on the other hand, the idea of a contract marriage was daunting. What would it mean for my future as an artist? Would I be sacrificing my passion for the sake of financial stability?

Before I could respond, Ethan added, "And who knows? Maybe we can make it work. Maybe we'll fall in love for real."

For a moment, I considered the possibility. But then I shook my head, knowing that it was unlikely.

"I don't know, Ethan," I repeated, still unsure.

"Think about it," he said, handing me a business card. "Call me if you're interested. And if not, no hard feelings."

As I watched him leave my apartment, I knew that I had a decision to make. Could I really go through with something like this? And what would it mean for my future as an artist? I slipped the card into my pocket and returned to my painting, trying to clear my mind and focus on my art. But deep down, I knew that the decision was looming, and I couldn't ignore it for much longer.

Later that night, I lay in bed, still thinking about Ethan's proposal. Should I take the risk and enter into a contract marriage with him? Or should I continue to struggle as an artist, pursuing my passion but never quite making ends meet? The more I thought about it, the more I felt myself being pulled in different directions.

As I lay there, my mind drifting, I eventually fell asleep, still uncertain about what I would do. I knew that I would have to make a decision soon, but for now, I was content to let my mind rest and recharge, hoping that the answer would come to me in the morning.

As I slept, my mind drifted into a dream. I found myself walking through a beautiful garden, filled with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The sun was shining down on me, warming my skin, and a gentle breeze blew through the trees, rustling the leaves.

As I walked, I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. For a moment, all of my worries about the contract marriage and my art disappeared, and I was simply able to enjoy the beauty of the world around me.

But then, as I turned a corner in the garden, I came face to face with Ethan. He was standing there, looking at me with a mix of concern and affection.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, surprised to see him in my dream.

"I'm here for you," he replied. "I want to help you make the right decision."

My heart fluttered at his words, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. I had always been drawn to Ethan, but I had never known how he felt about me.

In the dream, we sat down on a bench together, and Ethan took my hand in his. "Ava, I know that this decision is hard for you. But I want you to know that I will support you no matter what. I care about you, and I want to see you happy."

I looked into his eyes, and for a moment, I felt like everything was falling into place. Maybe this was the sign I had been looking for, the reassurance that I needed to make the right decision.

But then, just as suddenly as it had started, the dream ended. I woke up, feeling both disappointed and relieved. The dream had felt so real, and for a moment, I had thought that everything was going to be okay. But now I was back in reality, still facing the same difficult decision.

A few days after, Ethan showed up at my studio. I looked up at him, my heart racing. I knew that this conversation was going to be a difficult one, but I hadn't expected him to come so soon.

"I need you to make a decision," Ethan said, his voice firm and unwavering.

"What decision?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"The contract marriage," Ethan replied. "I need to know if you're in or out."

My stomach twisted with anxiety. I had been considering Ethan's proposal for days, weighing the pros and cons, but I still didn't know if I was ready to commit to a fake marriage.

"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "I need more time."

Ethan's face hardened. "You don't have more time. I need an answer, Ava. Either you're in, or you're out."

The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy blanket. I knew that Ethan wasn't one to give ultimatums lightly, and the fact that he was giving me one now meant that he was serious.

"I just need a little more time," I pleaded, hoping that he would understand.

But Ethan wasn't budging. "I'm sorry, Ava. It's now or never."

With those words, he stood up and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew that I was running out of time, and that I would have to make a decision soon.

But as I sat there, staring at the empty space where Ethan had been, I couldn't help but feel like I was caught in a trap. No matter what decision I made, I knew that it would have consequences, and I didn't know if I was ready to face them.