Isabella "Bella" Jason is forced into a contract marriage to save her family from debt, she gets married to the cold-hearted billionaire Alexander Donovan; she accepts her fate of never being able to experience love. Alex, being a man with a cold heart, always believes that emoticons are a liability, and his only interest in Bella is to gain control of her family's heirloom, which was worth a lot of money, but they didn't know the worth. But as their worlds collide, Bella's kind and warm heart begins to melt his icy exterior. Trapped between power struggles, betrayal, and a dangerous secret from Bella's past, the both of them must find their way through their complicated relationship. As danger came Alex realised he would do whatever it took to protect his first love
Chapter 1 THE OFFER I COULDN'T REFUSE
The offer I couldn't refuse
I looked at the thick paper in my hands, my heart beating at a very high rate with each word I read. This was my father's last and desperate attempt to save our family from crumbling under the pressure of the weight of his debts. A contract marriage and an agreement that would tie me to a man I know nothing about all for the sake of relieving our family of our debt.
"Isabella" my father called me, his voice filled with pain and guilt. Then he said to me "this is the only way out I have tried everything but to no avail, I hope you don't blame me.
My palm tightened around the contract. How could my father expect me to marry Alexander Donovan, the ruthless billionaire with a heart of a monster. He is known for his smart and calculated business moves never hesitating to destroy anything or anyone blocking his part and now he wanted me.
I felt sick. " I Will never be free, will I?" I whispered to my self filled with hatred and anger. "Will I ever be free from this debt, will I ever be free from him"
My father sighed deeply avoiding any form of eye contact with me "it's for the family, Bella thinks about your siblings, your mother, and also myself. We can't survive this without his help.
My mind spun, thousands of thought sprung up. I had always known that our family isn't the best. My father's business met a disaster 5 years back and since then till now we have been drowning in debt and poverty striving to stay afloat. But this? This was more than anything I had imagined.
Marrying a man who I don't love or know anything about him, who didn't even know me just to settle debts I didn't fully understand. One side of me wanted to flee and never look back. But I what choice do I have?
"Fine," I murmured without looking at my father "I Will marry him"
I held the contract in my hands once more, going through the pages with grief, my hand were trembling. There it was my fate, sealed to be in a cold and sad marriage. In exchange for the marriage, Alexander would settle my father's debts, our family heirloom a mysterious artifact my father had been hiding always would belong to him. I didn't even know why he wanted it, my father also didn't know why. But since it could alleviate our situation my father didn't mind
I closed the document and ran into my room I began sobbing, but I knew there was no turning back.
The day of my wedding came so fast, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the white gown that felt more like a rag than a wedding gown. I looked at myself in the mirror fear, pain, sorrow were evident in those eyes.
Samantha, my best friend and my only bridesmaid, stood nearby with her back resting on the wall. "Bella" she said softly "you don't have to do this"
I looked at her through the mirror, voice cracking up " I have to there's no other option" I whispered painfully
"I don't trust him" she sighed softly, coming closer "you have heard rumours and stories about Alexander he's.... Dangerous "
I let out a dry laugh "dangerous? I know. But I am going to be fine, it's just a contract. Nothing more."
Her eyes was filled with concern, but she didn't pressure me further. And I appreciated that, even if it didn't cheer me up i still didn't mind.
After a short period of time there was a knock on the door, it signaled it was time. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I followed my father down the aisle of the cathedral. I looked around me I couldn't see or hear anything clearly. The guests, the music, the flowers, all were invisible towards me because all my focus was on what was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.
Alexander Donovan
He stood there, tall and imposing, his dark eyes looking at me emotionlessly. that cold look in his eyes was going to be one of my worst nightmares. He looked intimidating as I imagined. His sharp and carved features was exactly as said in the rumours. This was a man who commanded respect and fear also known to be as ruthless as his father.
As I reached the alter,I could barely look at him, I could hear the fierce pounding of my heartbeat in my ears as the priest began to speak the wedding ceremony, my worst nightmare began.
When it was time to exchange vows, Alexander's voice was cold and void of emotions, as he carefully selects his words as if every word had been memorized. And when he was sliding the ring into my finger I knew I was bound forever.
But I also did the same, I said my vows, even though the words where all false. I put on the smile my parents expected me to wear, but inside I felt empty
As the ceremony was concluded, and we were officially declared husband and wife, I looked up at him trying to catch any form of emotions in his eyes but I saw nothing it was cold and emotionless.
This was the man I am now bound to. This is the life my parents chose for me
I have no idea if I was going to survive it?.