Cursed Bride of Billionaire (Book 2 of Mysterious Bride)

Love hurts!

If I had some magical power, I would have cancelled her engagement ceremony. Robinson's family was not financially weak so it had to sacrifice its luxury.

“Is there any comparison between your engagement cost and Grandma’s treatment cost? Are you crazy?” I asked her. She tapered her eyes in extreme outrage. She got irritated and ran over me but mom stopped her.

“Hazel, Laura is right. We can’t spend more money on such an older person. What if she dies even after treatment, that will be a waste of money. ” My stepmother already decided to her mind. “As her age crossed seventy-five, the insurance company won't help her too. You have to pay every penny from your own pockets. And there is no guarantee that she would live a normal life.” mom explained to me.

I have seen they all spending millions of dollars recklessly for their clothes and cosmetics. Laura and Ira didn’t even know that bargaining exist. And now everybody is acting like we are so poor.

“Since when money became a problem in this household? I never heard that we are poor or lacking money ever!” I asked her. I have to ask this question to dad but he was still unresponsive as if this was any kind of drama going on.

“If money is not a problem in our house, then you pay. It’s easier to say rather than do. You have money then you pay for your Grandma’s treatment.” Ira squinted her eyes. She was sarcastic towards me.

Even though I have no expenses, I have no saving too. The newspaper agency I was working for years was going to be bankrupt.

I was just waiting for my previous month salary so that I can pay the rent of my room. How can I pay for grandma’s medical treatment which must be cost around thousands of dollars. I saw Laura, Ira and mom was staring at me with suspicious face.

“Mom, I have no savings. I have no gold or anything that can be used as token. If I really able to get money, I would have get it long ago.” I was upset. I was sad because my grandma was at deathbed and I was helpless.

“Mom, she must be lying. She was in higher position. How she has no money in her account. She is a big liar.” Ira was peeking out of her phone and giving her useless opinions.

“Aren’t you working in a famous newspaper agency? You should have a good salary.” Laura said with irritating tone.

“Its getting bankrupt. You can check my account details.” I replied to them.

I wanted to change the newspaper agency I was working now because I have not getting enough pay. Less salary and that's too very late. But I cannot forget this was the only company who was ready to give me job when all other companies asked for my experience. This company taught me many things, the entire editorial work I have learned from this company. How could I leave them when they are at their worst? My mind was running after money but my heart still valued my morals.

Mom was thinking about something, she rolled her eyes and looked at y face.

“Why don’t you fulfil the deal your dad and me made before.” My stepmom blinked her eyes to me.l “If you fulfil this deal, it will give us lots of money. Many questions will be solved. Your grandma’s treatment, our lifestyle and most importantly your sister’s engagement and marriage expenses.” Mom grabbed my shoulder and said to me with hopeful expressions.

I didn’t understand what she was talking about. Laura was busy in reading some fashion magazine.

“You wanted to pursue masters in abroad right? Everybody’s problem will be solved.” Ira kept her mobile back in her pocket. I could see everybody were convincing me to accept that deal.

“Mom can you please tell me what was that deal?” I asked her. I have no issue as long as it's saving my grandma’a life. I was even ready to give my organs if they want.

“You have to marry one man for thirteen months. After thirteen months you are free to do anything.” Mom replied to me. My eyes tapered when I heard that. What kind of deal it was? My puzzled face must have told her that going on in my mind.

“Don't worry, he is a rich man. He just giving your dad a huge amount just for that,” she added.

“What? Marry someone for thirteen month. But why? If he is a rich man then wwhy don't you recommend it for your other daughters?” I asked. Isn't it kind of contract marriage.

“Hazel, you know about your sister Laura is getting engage with Leo. Your younger sister Ira, she is pregnant now.” my mom held my hands.

I stared at Ira who was using her mobile phone and texting someone recklessly. Seeing at her expression, I don't think she would even care about this pregnancy. Previously mom scold me when I told her about Ira’s drug consuming habit, she didn't believe that. And Laura, how can I forget about her engagement.

“Mom, I have to finish my mastars. I can't marry right now. Please!” I denied her deal. I have not moved on from Leo and can't think about marrying anyone else. If I would, I will out of love not out of the deal.

I have fell to her emotional face many times but not again. I have to live my own life too.

“Hazel, do you really love grandma or just showing off yourself and bragging about loving her.” Laura slammed me. “That's the reason people leave you so fast, just because of your fake love.” she mocked me again.

“Don't let me open my mouth otherwise you know whose love is fake and whose is real.” I answered her in the same way. Mom realised that we were about to fight with each other. She just came and held my shoulder.

“Hazel, I have raised you just like my other two daughters. You had the same food, the same education as them. I was not like other stepmothers who make stepdaughters' life hell. I have treated you just like one of our family members.” mom’s voice started getting deep. Her throat became heavy. “I have not given you birth but I thought you will understand our situation. I was ready to send one of Laura and Ira but I have no other option.” mom’s eyes turned teary. She started sobbing.

“If money is a problem then I will arrange money for grandma’s treatment.” I said and left the house.

The deal my stepmother gave me was about to save my grandma. I hoped I could get help from my friends.

“Hello Mia,” I called Mia. She was the only who could help me for it. She would have a solution for my this query too.

“Oh Hazel. I was about to call you now.” She said.

“Really?”

“Yeah! Actually I need some money. I thought you would help me. You must have some savings and to don't spend recklessly just like me.” She said with requesting tone. I patted on my forehead. I called her to seek some help.

“I will see if I can help you.” I hung up the phone. I was using my savings till now.

I was walking on the road and kept calling my others friends for help. Everyone were going with the same situation, lacking money.

I was so busy on the phone that I have forget that I was walking on the road instead of pavilion. Suddenly a car came from behind and..

“Aahhhhh…” that car stopped so close to me. It pushed me little bit and I fell on the road. My knees and elbow was scratched by concrete on the road and wounded a little bit.

If it ran a few seconds more, I would have gone under the car.

“Hey.. you i***t woman! Are you crazy. Do you want to die, if you want to die then die in front of train not a middle of a road.” A man came out of a car and took out his sunglasses while speaking. He was wearing a maroon coloured waistcoat. “People like you really come in front of any car then act like we have hit you. That's a new sort of grabbing money huh?” he looked so frustrated. I was stunned when I heard this voice. This voice was something I used to hear daily.

“This voice… this is.. Leo” I turned my head back and my eyes became moist. It was Leo. Leo was standing in front of me.

“Leo. Is this you? Are you here?” I saw his face. I forget all the other pain I had. Only a single pain appeared in front of my eyes as I saw him. All the memories came back again in front of my eyes. Leo was the one I loved most. Now he was someone else’s.

“Hazel.. you..” He was shocked to see me. I was expecting hands from him but he has taken two steps behind as soon as he saw me as if I were a covid patient. That’s pained me even more.

“Hmmm..” I stood up by myself.

I was feeling so weird that I was not able to see in his eyes. Obviously even if I raised my eyes up, he would see the love for him. He would disdain me even more.

I turned back and started leaving without saying a single word. I will forget him, for sure. Not today, not tomorrow but one day, I won't care about him. I was sure that I will move on. I will be indifferent. I told all this to myself. I was walking ahead leaving him behind.

“So you are using these tactics now.” my legs paused when I heard that. “How low would you go for getting me Huh? I can see you how irritated you are just because I didn't fall into your trap.” He used such harsh words that I felt disdain in every word. I turned back and see the same in his eyes. His down curled lips were smiling.

“What are you talking about Leo?” I asked with a deep tone. just now I was silent, I didn't say anything. I didn't ask him about us. I controlled my emotions. “What did I do now? I was just walking ahead.” I was shocked. I was standing just in front of him, it was him who pushed me by his car. Why do I have to be a victim of every pain?

“You deliberately came in front of my car so that you want to trouble me. You wanted to gain sympathy by getting hit by my car, aren't you?” He said with an annoying tone. He was talking about sympathy which I never liked. “Say, Hazel, why not are you silent?” he put his hands around his waist. I lose my patience and answered him.

“Troubled you? I have never troubled you. I always wanted to take all the trouble and pain from you. Just you didn’t understand me..” My buried emotions started coming out slowly from my heart.

“Stop luring me miss Hazel. I have not seen any worst women than you. You try to seduce your sister’s fiancé and now trying to trap him by coming in the middle of the road in front of his car.” He put his goals again. I was not surprised by his accusation of luring him. He was blaming me again and again.