Billionaire's Contract Bride

CHAPTER 1

SCARLETT ADDISON

13 years ago

"Why can't my daddy come and sleep with me?" I asked as I lay down in the maid's room, afraid of the thunder rumbling outside.

I watched Barbara take a deep breath as she ran her hands through my hair, wiping away the tears that fell from my eyes.

"Your daddy is sleeping with Mrs. Nancy," she explained, clearly struggling to come up with a better answer. I have asked the same question at least ten times today.

"But he sometimes sleeps with Naomi and Bella when they cry at night because they're scared of the thunder," I said sadly. "But he never sleeps with me, Barbara. Why not?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Scarlett," Barbara gently tilted my chin up so I was looking at her. "Your father is a very busy man. He knows your stepsisters don’t get along with anyone in the mansion except for their stepmother and him, so it’s normal for him to stay with them," she replied softly.

I nodded, pretending to agree, but the sadness lingered. I couldn’t understand why my dad chose to keep his distance from me. I felt like Barbara’s explanations were just excuses, and I didn’t believe them.

"Danny said that if my mom was alive, I would have my dad’s love," I muttered, remembering the words of my stepmother’s brother.

Barbara’s eyes widened. "Don't ever say that, Scarlett. Danny is a fool who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Now, try to sleep," she said, pulling me closer and hugging me tightly.

I tried to hold back my tears, but they kept coming. I closed my eyes, dreaming of the day when I might finally feel my father's love, even if it was just for a moment.

End of flashback

13 years later

Today was noticeably colder than yesterday. The thermometer read minus one degree, and I only had on a light sweater. It was the same one Barbara had patched up countless times. I had long since lost track of how often it had been mended. The cold crept in through the thin fabric, seeping into my bones, but I couldn’t afford to let it slow me down. I had to finish cleaning the garden. Another lecture from my stepmother or father was the last thing I needed. They seemed determined to make my life a living hell. It was clear: my own father didn’t love me, and probably never would. As a child, I used to dream that he’d come to rescue me from this nightmare, but as I grew older, I realized that happiness was never going to find its way into our home. Not for me. I had tried to escape this hell before, but it seemed like an impossible feat.

From a young age, I had been saddled with endless chores, always reminded that I had to earn my keep for the bed I slept in, tucked away in the servants' quarters, and especially for the food I ate. I had to pay for my own food? I never imagined a family could treat their own child like this, but mine did.

I trudged through the mansion's cold corridors in my tattered blouse and worn-out shoes that barely kept the cold at bay. But I couldn’t stop now. I still had to clean all the glass outside the mansion. If I didn’t, I risked losing my chance to go to college… the only glimmer of hope I had for a better future.

Despite everything, I dressed decently enough, with just five well-kept pieces of clothing. My father insisted that I must appear presentable to society, even though he saw me as worthless. The Taylor family could not afford the embarrassment of me. I knew he blamed me for my mother’s death. He reminded me constantly that she had died giving birth to me, and that it was my fault. I had spent my whole life hearing this, wishing it wasn’t true. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right. It was my birth had cost my mother her life.

My half-sisters, Bella and Naomi, were the only ones who seemed to have any affection for my father. We were all close in age. I was 21, Bella was 20, and Naomi was 19 but we couldn’t have been more different. They made it clear they thought I was worthless, constantly creating chaos and leaving me to clean up their messes.

After nearly three hours spent cleaning the entire garden, I didn’t even take a moment to rest. There was still so much to do. I grabbed a bucket of water and set out to wash the windows. I knew I wouldn’t finish everything today, but if I could at least get the front ones done, I might avoid being denied food again, like I was yesterday. I set up a ladder at the front of the mansion and climbed up with my bucket, steeling myself for another four hours of hard work. But I refused to let that discourage me. I had always been determined to push through, and I wasn’t going to let these tasks stand between me and my next meal.

By the time I finished, darkness was beginning to fall. I put away all my cleaning supplies and headed inside the mansion, utterly exhausted. Just as I was about to rest, I spotted Barbara approaching, her face etched with concern. I could already tell she was going to scold me for not borrowing a sweater from her.

"Scarlett, it’s freezing outside, and you’re dressed like that?” she said, her voice laced with irritation.

I forced a smile, trying to reassure her. "I’m sorry, but I needed to finish these chores quickly. You know my college is at risk again because I haven’t been keeping up with the housework," I replied.

She let out a heavy sigh. "That's not fair, Scarlett. Who denies their own daughter food or an education?" she said, frustration clear in her voice. "You need to talk to your father. These tasks they’re making you do are absurd."

I kept up my smile, trying to brush off her concerns. "Don’t worry, Barbara. Everything is fine. The important thing is that I’ve finished everything, and now I can eat," I said, hoping to change the subject.

She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with concern.

"It's not okay, Scarlett. Some things just aren’t fair," she said softly.

Before I could respond, a voice cut through the air, sharp and cold.

"What wouldn’t be fair, Barbara?"

My stepmother's voice sliced through our conversation like a knife. I looked up and saw her standing at the top of the stairs. A shiver ran down my spine just at the sight of her approaching.

Barbara went silent, and I knew why. My stepmother had a habit of firing employees for the smallest infractions. She descended the stairs slowly and stopped in front of us.

“What’s not fair, Barbara?” she repeated, her tone dripping with arrogance.

Before Barbara could respond, I quickly stepped in. "She meant it wasn’t fair for me to take so long with the chores outside. She said I should have been faster, and because of that, I missed lunch today," I blurted out.

My stepmother's lips curled into a smile, a cruel glint in her eyes. "Of course, but you never do anything right. That's to be expected," she sneered. "Now, go to the office. Your father is waiting for you," she added.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. I hadn’t done anything wrong, so why would my father want to see me?

"I'm hungry. I just want to eat something before I go talk to him," I said cautiously, my stomach growling in protest.

She shook her head, her smile growing wider. "No, Scarlett. You have a more glorious role in this family now," she said with a twisted grin that sent a chill through me.

"You need to go talk to your dear father. Our days of torment are over," she declared.

I felt even more confused by her words.

"Ma'am..." Barbara started, but my stepmother silenced her with a sharp gesture.

"Shut up, you good-for-nothing woman. Family matters don’t concern you. Hurry up, Scarlett. Your father must be tired of waiting," she snapped.

I glanced at Barbara, who looked worried. She knew my father never called for me unless it was for something unpleasant. I nodded, trying to reassure her, then slowly made my way to my father’s office. I didn’t even say goodbye to Barbara. It felt like I was walking toward my death. I couldn’t explain why, but I had never felt as scared as I did now.