It is two nights after Emma Carter discovered her boyfriend was having an extramarital affair with her best friend that she learns she is engaged to the youngest millionaire in New York in order to preserve her father's failing business. When she eventually meets him, her anger just grows as she still feels betrayed by the news of their engagement. The most conceited, haughty, and heartless man she will ever meet is Cole Russell. Although he is not as interested in being with women, he needs a bride to appease his parents and be seen as a responsible adult. Emma makes the decision to seize the opportunity in order to keep her father's business intact and enrage her cheating boyfriend. She proposes a MARRIAGE CONTRACT, and Cole is setting the guidelines.
Chapter 1 Betrothal and Betrayal
Emma's pov
I frequently feel butterflies in my stomach.
Actually, a lot of things make me feel butterflies in my stomach. That offers me that without having to do with love or sex.
Clubbing does. It does when I'm with my best pal. Happiness does.
However, the information in front of me is unquestionably one of the things that doesn't make me feel giddy or eager about anything new I've done or am about to experience.
This was not what I expected to happen. My mouth is still hanging open from shock, and I still find it hard to comprehend that this is the course my life has taken.
Mother touches my thighs and jolts me back to reality, saying, "Emm, we know this is coming as a shock to you but it's for the best." Dad is seated across from me, a severe grimace on his face. He appears more vulnerable than ever.
"We need to save your father's dying business. We talked about it at length and we thought it's high time you knew. I think now is the time for you two to meet so you can get to know each other better."
I'm at my breaking point now. Not because I'm in a relationship. However, I don't want someone to control my life or decide what's best for me.
I turn to face her directly and declare, "No, mother. That is final. I am not meeting anyone." My abrupt statement startles her.
Father calls, "Emma," in a stern voice. "This is about me, not about them."
I have a lover, I have a life that I adore, and I have the perfect amount of butterflies in my life, but how can I be betrothed to some guy my entire life without even realising it? I mean, I'm 23 years old.
This is not what I'm doing.
I honestly say, "Dad, I'm not doing this. This is my life, and I can decide whether or not to meet my so-called betrothed." I'm dating, for crying out loud!"
I'm raising my voice at my father, even though I didn't mean to.
Mother scolds me angrily, her hands leaving my thighs, "I won't let you speak of my husband that way, you silly girl".
They were at one other's throats last night, and I didn't even care to ask what the issue was. Did she just defend her husband?
I have no right to meddle in their matters because it is their garbage, not mine.
My mother is having a lot of trouble adjusting to this new lifestyle that Father is offering us; ever since his firm went bankrupt, he has been having problems with her.
Getting acclimated to being middle class is one of the easier things for me; it was difficult at first, but I am a person who readily adapts to new situations and environments.
"Are you serious?I sneer down at her as I look down.
"Actually. Do you wish to lead this kind of life for yourself? Really, when did we last go shopping? When did we last host a large-scale celebration like we used to? I understand that you don't want this.
"No," I reply with a giggle, because this is clearly not what I want. My mother wants this, and she intends to use me to help her maintain that way of life.
Butterflies are what I want to be constantly present.
Getting married at this age to some strangers is not something I desire; what I want is for Alex to stop cheating on me.
She starts talking to me in that sweet, seductive tone she usually uses to get me to do what she wants: "You need to help your father, princess. Your father needs this help." Until we marry you to their son, as promised, the Russells will not assist us. Give him a chance; you'll like him.
Mother, I have a BOYFRIEND!"I have a boyfriend, for God's sake," I yell, getting up from the couch with a heaving chest.
"Is this the same person who consistently deceives you with other women?She rises to meet my height in a fierce reply.
How on earth did she find out about Alex's infidelity?
He said he would change, so I gave him another chance, but two nights ago, I caught him again, only this time it was with a person I knew, one of the people that makes me happy and gives me butterflies.
I saw them in the act at a party that I was invited to by the same female that I discovered her with my boyfriend. She was having sex with my boyfriend.
They must have been doing this for a very long time since when I told them I was running late, they must have taken the hint and started the act before I was around.
I was devastated by it.
I sobbed.
Alex usually apologises, but I'm a strong lady, so I waited all night for his calls, which I never received until his text message arrived this morning.
He expressed regret for his error.
I don't want to see Zoey ever again, but I will make sure she regrets having sex with my boyfriend since she has always been a seductress, and I'm sure she seduced him.
I will not let my best friend to have Alex; we are still in a relationship, and I will patiently wait for him to find the guts to come to me and beg for me. Alex is still my boyfriend, despite what happened two nights ago.
Right here.
"That moron who continues to injure you?The voice of my mother rises, "Are you even aware of what you're doing? He betrays you time and time again, but you continue to forgive him?"
I question myself, tears starting to threaten my eyes, "Who told her this?"
Was it Zoey? My closest friend, Zoey, and my mother have a strong relationship and talk about everything and anything.
I now know why my mother is so excited about my leaving Alex: did she tell her about his cheating? She had always criticised him and encouraged me to go on.
She won't get her want to have him all to herself.
She continues, "This is a good life we are offering you. This guy is handsome and wealthy." In New York, he is the youngest billionaire. What more are you looking for?"
"What am I in search of?I respond, "What I want is for you two to stop interfering with my life," and I point my index finger at her.
I walk by Mother to go, sparing him a glance, but she stops me with a voice that surprises her. Father is silently observing us.
"Emma, whether you like it or not, you are being married to Cole. You two have been engaged since you were young children, and I won't let you choose poorly when he is clearly superior than your unfaithful partner."
There's more to this than butterflies, and I find myself wanting to go back to her and tell her how Alex makes me feel.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my love and admiration for Alex, to say how much of a real man he is, even though he may not be as affluent as this so-called millionaire.
I leave the living room and head for the front door with a single intention, not doing what I had planned to do.
He's coming back to me.
Zoey refuses to.
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