Chapter 2

Amelia's POV

I stood outside the grand entrance of the Knight mansion, my heart racing with an excitement. The estate loomed before me, its gardens and ivy-covered walls of elegance and wealth. I took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell.

The door swung open, and I found myself with Sarah Knight, William's formidable mother. Sarah's looks swept over me, assessing me with a critical eye.

"You must be the contract bride," Sarah asked.

I nodded, feeling a bit nerves.

"Yes, I'm Amelia Barnes. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Knight."

Sarah's expression softened slightly, and she motioned for me to enter the mansion.

"Call me Sarah. William is waiting for you in the study."

I followed Sarah through the halls of the mansion, my footsteps echoing in the silence. The sound of my own breaths seemed unnaturally loud in her ears as Sarah led me to a set of double doors and opened them with a flourish.

William Knight was seated behind a grand desk, his features composed. He glanced up as I entered, his blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me pulse.

"Amelia, please have a seat," William said, gesturing to seat opposite of him.

I sat down, my hands were tightly in my lap as I waited for William to speak. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until he finally cleared his throat and broke the tension.

"Let me be clear about the terms of our arrangement, Amelia," William began, his voice low.

"Our contract marriage will last for one year. During this time, we will present ourselves as a married couple to the public and attend various social events together. You will receive a monthly stipend for your services, and at the end of the year, we will go our separate ways."

I nodded, my mind reeling with the whole situation. This is not just a business deal; it is a performance, a charade meant to deceive the world. I couldn't help but wonder what William's true motives are behind this contract marriage.

"I understand," I said softly.

"Good," William replied, nodding in approval.

"We will need to establish some ground rules to maintain the illusion of our marriage. No public displays of affection, no intimate contact, and absolute discretion at all times. Do you agree to these terms?"

I felt a bit disappointed at the coldness of his words, but I knew this was a business arrangement, not a love affair. Swallowing my emotions, I nodded in agreement.

"I agree to your terms, Mr William."

As the details of our contract marriage was finalized, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease in the back of my mind. This was not the fairy-tale romance I had dreamed of, but a calculated agreement with a man who kept his emotions tightly guarded.

In the following weeks, I settled into the rhythm of my new life as William's contract bride. I accompanied him to social events and public appearances, always careful to maintain the façade of a happy, loving couple. The world saw a devoted husband and wife, but behind closed doors, we existed in a state of polite detachment.

Despite the lack of emotional intimacy, I found myself drawn to the billionaire in ways I couldn't explain. There was so many things to William that intrigued me, a vulnerability that he tried to mask with his demeanor. And as we spent more time together, I begin to glimpse the man beneath the façade.

One fateful evening, as we sat in the study of the mansion, I mustered up the courage to break the silence that hang between us like a heavy curtain.

"William, can I ask you something?" I asked.

He looked up from his work, his eyes meeting mine with a curious expression.

"Of course, Amelia. What is it?"

"I know this contract marriage is just a contract. But I can't help but wonder...is there more to it for you? Why did you agree to this arrangement in the first place?" I asked.

William regarded me for a long moment, his blue eyes searching mine before he finally speaks.

"I agreed to this contract marriage because it is a means to an end. My grandfather's inheritance is contingent upon me being married, and a contract marriage seemed like the most practical solution."

I felt a bit disappointed at his straightforward answer, but I sensed that there was more to his words than met the eye. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper reason behind William's decision, a hidden truth that he was reluctant to reveal.

Our contract marriage is a mix of professionalism and restraint. We maintained the façade of a loving couple in public, all the while grappling with our own emotions in private.

But beneath the surface of our arrangement, a spark of something more begin to flicker - a connection that defies the boundaries of our contract and blurted the lines between business and pleasure. And we danced on the edge of something unknown and forbidden.

"We found ourselves on the brink of a genuine love that neither of us had expected."