Chapter 1

• Ella.
• "Where is the bitch?" A deep voice thunders from downstairs and I sigh sitting up on my new bed. That will be Nathaniel, my supposed husband.
• I stare at the expensive ring on my finger and remember the words in the text message. "Marry Nathaniel for 300 million dollars. Divorce him after a year" The message from an unknown number read. I don't know who the message was from but I had to do it. Furthermore, it will only be a contractual marriage which I already signed when I wore this ring. Blame that on desperation.
• I have been lonely since my family was ruined and if I can save the last ounce of hope in my life, so be it. It doesn't matter who the guy I married is, as long as I achieve my goal, I will endure any form of hardship this new home has to offer.
• My son has aplastic anemia since birth and it has been so hard for both of us. Especially since I don't have a steady job to provide for us. His medications are too expensive and as days go by, his condition continues to deteriorate. I have no other option than to take this offer.
• The doctor advised the only solution is if he undergoes a bone marrow transplant and I didn't have that kind of money for the process. Luckily enough, now he will get the help he deserves. Finally.
• "In her room boss," Another voice responds snapping me out of my thoughts and a grunt is heard. What an impatient man!
• "Drag her ass down here," at his words I wonder how I will survive a whole year with him. It appears my husband is a hell of a grumpy man.
• "No, I will do it." The voice comes again and my heart skips.
• No shit.
• At least, I was told Nathaniel is a man everyone fears. He is also a womanizer and a ruthless Italian Mafia Don. I don't know his reasons for wanting a wife, but I only have to play my part. I have no experience with men, and I am glad the contract stated that there would be no interference in each other's personal lives.
• The door to my room violently opens and the man I least expected to see walks right through. After a little hesitation, Nathaniel grabs my arm and starts walking out. His strides are wide and hurried and I am literally stumbling after him.
• The house is silent despite the numerous people around here.
• I have no idea how I should act. Part of me wants to be brave but the other part is anxious.
• The unknown message mentioned that he was unpredictable. I only pray he doesn't give me a hard time around here, though I doubt it, with how things are going.
• Nathaniel drops me on the stairs and walks to the living room, and instantly lights a cigar.
• I silently stare at him and my fists unconsciously clench. The man with the brooding face is nothing like I imagined.
• It’s him! My ex-husband who has abandoned me five years ago!
• I would have never guessed that I would be staring at him right now. Fuck, I should have prepared for this.
• Nathaniel is not your normal kind of guy and that is true, seeing how his armed guards are steps away from him as if they are expecting an enemy to walk in. The burning cigar between his tattooed fingers emits a foul smell of weed.
• His jaws are sharply carved, and the deep frown on his face makes him look menacing, yet enticing. The deep greys are keenly staring at me the same way I am staring at him. Well, is this what we call fate or cruel reality?
• "Get the hell out, everyone?" And then he speaks, more like barks in fury. A deep masculine voice that carries a thick Italian accent. This man is dangerous.
• Did the person behind the message know what he was getting me into? Sending me to the fucking city billionaire? The gossip of every girl in town? Of course, he is in the mafia too. A guy his age can never be that rich even though he came from money. That's what his family does anyway. Funny, I never wanted to cross paths with this man for the rest of my life.
• " Come closer" His face doesn't show any reaction and I hesitate to move forward.
• "I don't like to repeat myself, sweetheart, get your ass moving" With a nod, I walk closer, and with every step I take toward him, I feel as if my heart is leaving my chest. I hate this. I abhor him.
• "Sit with me. Leave us Reed" The man gestures to the seat beside him and I don't miss how his eyes follow my bare legs. It's a platonic relationship, and I hope he doesn't go back on his word.
• Nathaniel slowly tosses away his cigar and stressfully runs his hand through his hair. I am dying to hear what he'll say.
• Wait, shouldn't he be married? That was the reason he left, right? I stare at his bare ring finger and back at his conflicted face.
• "Who the fuck are you?." The man finally speaks and I hold in a gasp. Just like years ago, he just shattered the remaining life in my heart with a simple sentence. Nathaniel Leonardo Russo doesn't know who I am.
• "Leon?" My voice is smooth and unwavering and I am so proud of myself because I don't know what to feel right now. Should I cry, or laugh, or better still, drive a dagger through the chest of the man before me? The root of my despair.
• "Something is wrong, boss. She is not the girl in the pictures. She is an imposter" The man who he addressed as Reed hands a file to Leon and after carelessly glancing at the papers, he tosses the file away and looks back at me.