Claimed By The Cold Billionaire CEO

The hospital smelled like disinfectant and quiet fear. Lena Moore stood at the billing counter, staring at the printed paper in front of her. "Payment is due today," the receptionist said flatly. "If we don't receive it within twenty-four hours, treatment will be discontinued." Discontinued. Such a calm word for something so cruel. Lena swallowed. "There has to be more time." "I'm sorry. Those are the instructions." Twenty-four hours. The surgery cost more than she could make in years. Her two jobs barely covered rent and food. She felt the ground slipping under her feet. She stepped outside into the rain. Cold water soaked her sweater, but she didn't care. She just stood there, staring at the hospital entrance like staring long enough might change reality. "Miss Moore." The voice was deep. Controlled. She turned. A black luxury car was parked by the curb. A driver stood beside it. And then she saw the man stepping out of the back seat. Tall. Impeccably dressed. Calm in a way that felt almost dangerous. "I don't have time for charity," Lena said, brushing rain from her face. "I'm not here for charity," he replied. He stepped closer. The rain didn't seem to touch him. "My name is Ethan Blackwood." Her heart skipped. Everyone knew that name. CEO of Blackwood Technologies. Youngest billionaire in the city. A man who crushed competitors without blinking. "Why do you know my name?" she asked. "Because I need a wife." She blinked. "Excuse me?" "A contract marriage," he clarified. "One year. You act as my wife publicly. Attend events. Live in my house. In return, I cover your mother's surgery, all medical expenses, and I'll transfer ten million dollars to your account." The world seemed to pause. Ten million. "What's the catch?" she asked carefully. "You will not fall in love with me." A short, disbelieving laugh escaped her. "You think that's a concern?" "It always is," he said calmly. She folded her arms. "You could marry anyone. Why me?" "I don't want anyone," he replied. "I want you." Her stomach tightened. "Why?" "You meet my requirements." Requirements. As if she were applying for employment. "I don't even know you." "You don't need to." He nodded to the driver, who handed her a thick envelope. She opened it and froze. The hospital receipt. Stamped. PAID. "You already paid?" she whispered. "Yes." Her vision blurred for a second. "This is manipulation." "No. It's an offer. You may refuse. I won't withdraw the payment." That was worse. If she walked away now, she would owe him everything. "What do you get from this?" she asked. "A wife." "That's not specific." "It doesn't need to be." Thunder rumbled in the distance. She looked back at the hospital. Then at him. "One year?" she asked quietly. "One year." "And after that?" "We divorce." No hesitation. No emotion. "This is strictly business?" "Yes." "No physical expectations without consent?" His jaw tightened slightly. "Of course." "No control over my personal life?" "You will have more freedom than you do now." He didn't pressure her. Didn't persuade. He simply waited, as though he already knew the outcome. She took a deep breath. One year for her mother's life. One year to escape debt and desperation. "Fine," she said. "I agree." The driver handed her a contract. She skimmed through the pages until her eyes caught the final clause. "You cannot terminate the marriage under any circumstances before the one-year term ends." Her pulse quickened. "What if I want to leave?" "You won't." "That's not reassuring." "It's not meant to be." The rain softened into a steady drizzle. The city felt different, heavier. Her hand hovered over the signature line. One year. She signed. The moment the pen left the paper, something changed in his expression. Not warmth. Not relief. Something closer to satisfaction. "Good," Ethan said. As the contract was taken from her hands, a chill crept down her spine. She had just agreed to marry a billionaire. But the way he was looking at her didn't feel like a man who had just found a wife. It felt like a man who had just reclaimed something that already belonged to him. And she had no idea why.