Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire
Chapter 1: The Price Of Desperation
The small of antiseptic clung to the air.
Hospital always smelled like fear.Like endings.
I hated hospitals.
Not because of the needless
Not because of the white walls
But because hospitals only meant one thing—
Loss.
I started at the medical bill in my trembling hands.
$247,860
That's was the price of my father's life.
Or the price of losing him.
Miss carter?
I looked up. The doctor stood in front of me, his expression clam— but distant
We can't delay the surgery any longer. If we don't receive payment confirmation by tomorrow morning …"
He didn't finish
He didn't need to
My father would die
"I'll arrange it." I whispered
A lie
Because I had nothing left
No savings
No relatives
No miracle
Just debt and fear.
That night, I sat outside the ICU, starting at my reflection in the glass.
Dark circle under my eyes.
Pale skin.
Exhaustion written everywhere.
I was twenty— two.
And already drowning.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I hesitated. Then answered.
"Hello?"
Miss Emily carter? The voice was deep. Professional. Controlled.
"Yes."
"My name is Daniel Brooks. I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Alexander knight."
I frowned.
"I don't know him."
"He knows you."
A chill ran down my spine.
"My employer is aware of your financial situation."
How?
Mr. Knight has resources l.
Silence stretched between us.
"What dose he want."
"An arrangement."
"What kind."
" He is willing to cover the full cost of your father's surgery."
My breath dropped.
"In exchange."
A pause.
"Marriage."
The word echoed in my head.
"What."
"A one-year contractual marriage. You will act as his legal wife, after one year you will receive a divorce settlement."
"You expect me to marry a stranger?"
"Your father's surgery is tomorrow."
The line went dead.
The next mor, I stood inside knight corporation Tower.
Glass. Steel. Power.
The building screamed dominance.
I felt painfully small.
The elevator opened to the top floor.
And there he was.
Alexander knight.
Standing before the city like it belonged to him.
Tall.
Sharp.
Impossibly composed.
When he turned around, his gray eyes locked onto mine.
Cold.
"You are late," he said.
"I'm three minutes early."
"In my world, that's late."
Arrogant.
He slid a file across the desk.
"The contract."
"Why do you need a wife?" I asked.
"My grandfather is threatening my position as CEO."
"So this is business?"
"Everything is business."
"What are the rules?"
His gaze hardened.
"No failing love."
"That won't be a problem."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"No physical relationship."
"Fine."
"No interference in my business."
"Agreed."
"You move into my mansion today."
Today?
"My father—"
"Payment will be transferred once you sign."
He stepped closer.
"You have ten minutes."
Ten minutes to decide my fate.
One year.
Three hundred sixty-five days.
I picked up the pen .
"When this year ends." I said quietly," we go back to being strangers."
His expression didn't change.
"We were never anything else."
That hurt more than it should have.
I sighed.
The moment the ink touched paper, everything changed.
He extended his hand.
"For the year, Emily carter… you belong to the knight family."
I took his hand.
His grip was warm.Firm.
"I don't belong to anyone," I replied.
His eyes darkened.
"We'll see."
That night , I stood before the massive gates of knight mansion.
My new home. Or my new prison. I had just married the most powerful man in the city.
A man who didn't believe in love. But what he didn't know…
Was that i had secrets too. And this contract—
Would change both of us.
Forever .
I thought I had sold my freedom for my father's life. I didn't know….
I had just entered a war disguised as marriage
The gates closed behind me with a heavy metallic sound. If didn't feel like entering a home. It felt like stepping into a cage.
Knight mansion stood tall and silent under the night sky. Marble stairs. Crystal lights. Guards at every corner.
Alexander stepped out of the car first. Then he extended his hand toward me.
"Smile," he murmured.
I forced one.
Inside, servants lined up in perfect formation. Alexander's voice was clam. Controlled.
"This is my wife. Treat with her respect."
A wave of shock moved across the room.
Wife. The word felt unfamiliar. A middle-aged woman approached . "Your room is ready,
Madam."
Room.
Singular.
I turned to alexander. "Do we share a room?"
His gray eyes met mine. "We share a name. not bad."
Clod.
Later that evening ,and older man entered the hall. Sharp eyes . Heavy presence .
His grandfather, he studied me from head to toe, "l hope you're not here for money."
The insult was deliberate. I held his gaze. "I'm here because your grandson asked to be."
Silence.
From across the room, I felt Alexander watching. He didn't defend me. But he didn't contradict me either.
That night. Just as I lay down— knock knock
I opened the door. Alexander stood there. "There's something you should understand about being Mrs. Knight."
His eyes darkened. " you represent me. Don't forget that."
Then he walk away. And I realized— this marriage wasn't about love. It was about control.
The next morning, he called me into his office .
"You will attend a charity gala tonight," he said
"As your wife?"
"As mrs. Knight"
I had nothing suitable to wear. But by noon stylists arrived, Designer gown. Diamond necklace. professional makeup,
When I looked in the mirror— I barely recognised myself. At the gala,cameras flashed the moment we spettep out.
Reporters shouted questions. "Is this marriage real," "when did you meet.
Alexander placed his hand on my waist, firm. possessive. "Smile," he whispered. Then she appeared.
Sophia.
Elegant. Confident. Dangerou. She walked straight towards us. "Alex she said softly. "You got married without telling me?"
Tension thickened. Alexander didn't hesitate.
"My wife doesn't require your approval." Sophia leaned closer to me.
"He never keeps what he marries." My heart stumbles. Alexander heard her. But he didn't deny it.
Instead he pulled me closer.Too close. For the cameras, or maybe not for just them.