Doted by My Billionaire Husband

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

Romance Crime Revenge Pregnancy Enemies to Lovers Pregnancy Personal Growth

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"One year. No love and no questions. Do you agree, Ms. Sinclair?"

His voice was sharp, cold like the steel in his office walls.

Ava Sinclair swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she stared at the papers in front of her. A contract marriage. And across the table sat Damien Thorne, billionaire CEO of Thorne Enterprises. A ruthless,heartless and dangerous man every woman in New York whispered about.

She was just a secretary. He was her boss.

This wasn't love. It wasn't even lust. This was a deal.Her brother was dying and Damien knew it.

"I just... I don't understand why me," Ava said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. "You could have anyone."

His gaze didn't flicker. "Exactly. I want someone no one will miss."

Her heart broke in places she didn't know existed on hearing his response.

That's what she was to him.A nobody,just a pawn.

Ava looked down at the contract again. A cold wave of nausea rolled through her.

It states- One year of marriage.No touching.No public affection.

No emotional expectations.Compensation: $1.2 million.

"This money... it'll pay for Levi's surgery?" she whispered, her throat tightening.

Damien's eyes didn't waver. "In full. But only if you marry me today."

She clenched her fists. Her little brother, Levi, was all she had left. She couldn't lose him.She has no other choice left for her.

She looked at Damien again. His face was unreadable. Handsome, yes. But Cold like a statue carved from ice.

"Fine," she whispered. "I'll marry you."

He leaned forward, passed her a pen.

"Then sign."

And with one signature, Ava Sinclair gave herself away not just her name but her freedom and her heart.

The wedding happened hours later in a private office. No flowers. No music. Just a judge, two signatures, and silence.Damien didn't even taje a glance at her as they exchanged vows.

---

Later that night, Ava stood alone in the massive guest room of his penthouse.

She wasn't even allowed to sleep in the same room as her husband on her own wedding night.She was alone.She sat on the bed, staring at the untouched gown she wore. Her hands were still shaking. Her eyes swollen from holding back tears.

How did my life become this?

A knock came at the door.She jumped.To her surprise,It was Damien.Still in his suit and still emotionless.

"There are rules," he said bluntly. "I don't want surprises. You don't speak to the media. You don't embarrass me in public. You don't enter my room without permission."

Ava nodded slowly, every word sinking like a blade into her chest.

"And one more thing," he added, stepping closer. "You're nothing more than my business partner. Don't start thinking you're anything else."

Ava bit her lip. "I wasn't planning to."

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