CHAPTER 11

Lisa's POV

Grandma is watching me closely and keeping tabs on everything I do. Since Damien arrived to inform her that he intended to marry me in two weeks yesterday, she hasn't asked me a single question.

Although I am certain that she was beyond stunned, her silence is killing me.

I want to know what she thinks and whether she would back me despite the fact that I don't want to be interrogated much.

I'm not allowed to inform her that this marriage is just temporary and subject to a contract since it is. She won't comprehend my justifications, and she'll be upset with me.

How am I supposed to tell her that I'm just getting married for a year because I need money from this guy, not because I love him? How do I explain to her that I will be divorced in a year and that I may then start over?

She wouldn't comprehend that I'm doing this for her or that this is the price I'm paying for her to live once again and be able to walk again.

She wouldn't ever comprehend.

She has always imagined the day when I would return home with that special someone who would ask for my hand in marriage, just as it was with my parents. Damien, however, probably falls short of her expectations, either because he is wealthy or because she is afraid of his wealth, or because of his sudden interest in me.

Grandma wasn't persuaded enough, or maybe she doesn't believe Damien, in my opinion.

She acts naturally. She is aware that something is wrong, but she is unable to identify it. I've been making every effort to stay away from her.

I put down the book I'm reading, "The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride," which strangely relates to what's about to happen to me since I can't focus on it any longer.

Because of the title, I chose this book from the bookstore I visited yesterday. I'm soon going to be the wife of a millionaire, yet I'm also unwanted. I'm interested in learning what happened to the billionaire's unwelcome bride.

My heart sank so low as I approached the location where the millionaire was abusing her that I fear it will also happen to me.

I take a few long breaths in and out before rolling onto my stomach to try to get some sleep. I've been doing nothing except eating, caring for Grandma, going outside, and resting for the last several days.

I really miss working. Even though my boss is getting married shortly, I want could keep my job, but I know he won't even listen to me.

The noise that comes with marrying someone as powerful and well-known as Damien Russell is currently my biggest difficulty. The press is always focused on him since he was the youngest billionaire last year.

I want to talk to him about getting married. I won't mind becoming his hidden wife to the public if he is doing this to appease his mother.

I just can't go through the process of becoming acclimated to the title "Mrs. Russell" only to have it disappear overnight and be renamed "Russell's ex-wife."

All of it is not what I desire. I want everything that occurs—the wedding, the ceremony, the moving-in, and the divorce—to be silent.

I don't care what the general public thinks, I can't handle the wild paparazzi, and I don't want to be portrayed as the antisocial wife of the youngest millionaire in newspapers and magazines. I only want a tranquil existence. I can get over the divorce swiftly this way.

I start to nod asleep when my phone rings, jolting me out of my daydream. I roll onto my back, stretch my arms, and brush the sleep from my face as I reach for the phone in the side drawers.

My eyes widen when the word "Boss" shows on my computer.

Even if things between us are set to change, I haven't yet changed his name. In order to prevent Grandma from seeing it and using it as support for her suspicions, I'm making a mental note to alter it later.

I answer the phone right away and wonder why he is calling. We mostly communicate through the intercom and always chat about business; he seldom ever contacts me on my cell phone.

I greet you in a modest voice, sir.

He quickly demands in an authoritative manner, "Meet me outside."

He cuts off the phone before I can respond, and I groan as I get out of bed.

I'm unsure of his purpose in being here.

I lace up my flip-flops and go to the entrance.

Grandma is dozing off in her bedroom. Because of the drugs we were given at the hospital, she normally sleeps and eats a lot, which provides me time to slink away and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Occasionally, I consider the drawbacks of this deal. Although I have read about contract weddings in literature and seen people discuss them, they have never seemed plausible to me.

Aside from the fact that I will be financially free after this is finished, what will happen to me?

I approach the front door and open it before leaving and scanning the area for my contract spouse.

I wonder why he isn't coming closer when his vehicle is parked at the other end of the street.

I go swiftly in the direction of his automobile without really thinking about it.

Damien is relaxed in the backseat as the driver exits the vehicle and opens the door for me.

I nod to David and then enter.

I shift uneasily in quiet while Damien stares straight ahead without saying a word. I wonder why he is acting so enraged.

Because today is the first time I shall mention his first name in public, the name "Damien" sounds odd as it comes out of my lips.

He looks at me with fiery red eyes.

He says, "Your friend, Emily or whatever her name is came to visit me at the office this morning", and surprise appears on my face.

"Emily?" Still appearing irritated, he nods. The question "Emily or Juliet?"

I only know Juliet, and I don't know anybody by the name of Emily. Even if I am unsure of the precise reason why Juliet would pay him a visit at work, because he called her his friend, I am certain that she is.

Who knows? Why then did she go there now that I am no longer working with him because she never visited me there while I was employed there?

"You're correct, Juliet is here. He reiterates, "She came to visit.

The question "What for?" Even if my brows are still wrinkled in perplexity, I find myself speaking out my ideas.

He ought to be able to provide an explanation for why she came to the workplace because I wasn't there to find out.

He shouts, and I quickly understand why he is upset: "Simply because you couldn't keep your f***ing mouth shut and let the content of the contract be between us and only." Why then did you feel the need to inform her?

I drop my head in shame as his harsh look tears through me.

She told him what, exactly? How come she told him?

Damien makes an attempt to contain his rage as he clenches his fist and lets it go with a sigh.

Finally, he bangs his fist on his lap while still demanding with a stern voice. "Why in the hell did you tell her?"

"I apologize,"

He yells at me, making me feel embarrassed of myself, "This isn't about saying you're sorry, f***ing tell me why you couldn't keep your mouth shut."

David probably has no idea what we are discussing. He is behaving this way toward me even though we are not yet wed. What will then occur when we ultimately get married?

I had the impression that he would be kind to me while we were still married, but that if our marriage ended, he may treat me badly once again.

Isn't this the way things should be?

Do I share The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride's ending? We share the same destiny, and I don't know whether I can muster the willpower to finish the book.

as a result of my fear. frightened of the end. I'm not afraid of beginnings. Finales do.

I'm worried that, like the billionaire's unwelcome wife, I won't be able to achieve true happiness.

"Why are you silent?" He attacks me once again.

"I told her just because I couldn't decide what to do. I was desperate for her counsel, so I...

And then, after you agreed to accept, she asked me to marry her instead, stabbing you in the back in the process?

"What?" I scream out loud in shock.

He grits his teeth and answers, "Yes." She was almost flinging herself at me.

There is a pause.

Why on earth did Juliet have to do that is what I'm thinking. She admitted to me that while she would have wanted to, she won't since I am involved and because there wouldn't be any sex involved in a relationship with him.

"I just came to warn you not to ever speak ill of me, either to your foolish friend or anyone else," the man said.

I blurted out, "I don't speak ill of you," without thinking.

"Really?" He's got a funny look on his face. "Yet, you admitted that I'm challenging and unkind to you?"

"What? Did she tell you that? I don't recall ever mentioning it to Juliet.

"She did, really. I shall have no option but to cancel the contract if this continues, he says. He tells me, looking aside, "Get out of my car, I have an appointment in the next 20 minutes."

It's hard for me to comprehend we're doing this. I'm shocked Juliet also did this.

I'm even more perplexed by her motivation. Why did she even leave the house to go to the workplace without telling me? Who among friends would act that way?

She didn't even mention her intentions to go to the workplace when we chatted this morning. She made the decision to do this behind my back knowing that I would no longer be reporting to work.

"Lisa!"

I abruptly get up and move to the door.

I get out of the vehicle without saying goodbye and start making quick movements in the direction of our home as if I were being chased.

My body is shaking, and my heart is racing.

As soon as I reach the door, I open it and turn around to see Damien's vehicle driving away down the street.