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Billionaire's Bride and Her Secret

VINCENT_JUSTICE
14
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The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 14 chs / week.
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Synopsis
Sophia Rodriguez was the picture of innocence—beautiful, soft-spoken, and the apple of her father's eye. But when her father’s business collapsed overnight, she was left with no choice but to sign a marriage contract… to the cold and powerful billionaire heir, Mason Davis. But there’s one problem. She’s pregnant with his brother’s child. Lucas Davis, the handsome second son, was the man she gave her heart—and body—to. But he vanished when she needed him most. Now married to Mason, Sophia must navigate a world of wealth, lies, and cold stares. As she begins to see the man behind Mason’s icy walls, her heart begins to betray her past. But what happens when Lucas returns? Can love grow where lies were planted? Or will the truth kill them all?
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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: The Price of Her Father's Fall

"One signature and everything you thought you knew will be gone."

Sophia Rodriguez sat quietly in the backseat of her father's worn-out Mercedes, the same one that used to glide through high-profile business meetings and big charity galas like a symbol of power. Now, it felt like a cage, a memory clinging to honor as it rolled past the towering glass buildings of downtown Manhattan.

Her father sat beside her in quiet, his shoulders hunched, his skin a little more grey than it had been just two weeks ago. The bankruptcy hit fast. The betrayal came quickly. One partner, one signature, one night—and everything was gone.

Except her.

And her secret.

Sophia's hand automatically curled over her flat stomach, still soft, still silent, but not empty. The baby inside her hadn't moved yet, but its presence pulsed in her chest like a secret she could barely keep inside.

Lucas...

Her heart hurt with the memory of his touch, his laughter, the way he kissed her like the world didn't exist.

And then he vanished.

No calls. No reason. Just silence.

Until Mason Davis called.

The Davis family had always been larger than life—wealthy beyond understanding, ruthless in business, untouchable in power. Her father once did business with them, long before the problems. Long before the ruin.

She didn't understand why Mason had called her and her father to his penthouse. Not until the elevator doors opened, showing a world of polished marble, glass, and gold accents—and the man himself.

Mason Davis stood by the tall window like a king observing his kingdom. His sharp black suit molded to his lean, strong frame, and his presence was cold—arctic. Nothing like Lucas's wild fire. Mason didn't turn to greet them immediately. He waited. Deliberately. Like he wanted to tell them who held the power in this room.

When he finally did, his gaze slid over her like she was something... useless.

Not a woman. Not even a person. Just a game piece.

"Mr. Rodriguez," Mason said, his voice calm and deadly like a polished blade. "Miss Rodriguez."

Sophia's father stood up straighter, forcing the pride back into his words. "Thank you for seeing us."

"I didn't do this for you," Mason said, walking toward them with slow, measured steps. His eyes—steel blue and unforgiving—landed on Sophia. "I did it for her."

She stiffened under his eyes.

The room smelled of expensive perfume, leather, and something deeper. Something dangerous.

"What do you mean?" she asked softly.

Mason didn't answer. Instead, he pointed toward the sleek table where a crisp white folder sat alone, threatening in its simplicity.

"A marriage contract," he said.

Her breath caught.

"What?"

"Your father's business is beyond saving. His bills are... substantial. However, the Davis family has chosen to intervene. On one condition."

Sophia's heart thudded. "What condition?"

Mason walked closer—too close—and put the folder in front of her.

"You marry me."

Silence.

Her ears rang. The words sounded strange. Absurd.

Her father breathed sharply. "Mason, we didn't agree—"

"I'm not asking," Mason cut in. "This isn't a negotiation."

Sophia blinked. "Why me?"

A flash of something crossed his eyes—dark, unreadable. "Because you're clean. You don't have an issue tied to your name. And because Lucas is too much of a coward to clean up his own messes."

Her stomach twisted.

He knew.

She tried to step back, but Mason didn't let her escape. His voice was quiet now. Too quiet.

"I know about the baby."

Her world split. All the air was sucked out of her lungs.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her father turned to her, eyes wide. "What baby?"

Tears burned at the back of her eyes.

"I—I didn't mean for this to happen."

Mason leaned in, his voice low and deadly. "Of course you didn't. That's the beauty of it. You're the right pawn."

"I'm not a pawn," she mumbled, choking on the truth.

"You are," he said, not unkindly, but with harsh honesty. "But you'll be a well-protected one. Your father's bills will disappear. The media will spin the marriage. The baby—will be mine in name. You'll live in luxury, and you'll keep your dignity."

"Why would you do this?" she asked, voice shaking. "Why care what people think?"

"Because perception is everything, Miss Rodriguez. And Lucas's child, born outside of marriage, will ruin my mother's goals. I won't let that happen. You are... collateral. But you'll be treated well."

She shook her head slowly, denial washing over her like a cold wave. "This is insane. I'm not a contract."

"Then walk away," Mason said with a shrug. "Let your father rot in court. Let Lucas never return. Let the world chew you up. Or…"

He leaned closer, his lips a breath from her ear.

"Be smart. Be smart. Marry me. And take back your power."

Her father was looking at her with wet eyes. She had never seen him like this—small. Beaten.

"Sophia," he whispered. "Please."

Sophia closed her eyes.

This wasn't the life she wanted. This wasn't the fantasy she dreamed of when Lucas made her laugh under the stars. But Lucas had vanished. He had left her to fend for herself. Mason was cruel—but he was offering a future.

A different kind of story.

One where the prince didn't love her.

But he wouldn't leave her, either.

She reached for the pen. Her hands trembled as she flipped the folder open and read the first line:

"This marriage shall remain legally binding for no less than one year…"

She signed.

And just like that, Sophia Rodriguez became Sophia Davis.

The ice princess to the coldest king.

Her father wept in quiet thanks, and Mason didn't smile. Not even once.

He simply nodded and turned away, already walking toward the door.

"It's done," he said. "The wedding is in seventy-two hours. My helper will contact you."

"Mason," she said, her voice almost too soft to hear.

He paused without turning back.

"Are you going to tell Lucas?"

A beat of silence passed. When he finally spoke, his voice was bone-deep cold.

"No. But you're going to learn, Sophia—there are two kinds of Davis men. One runs from his mistakes... and the other claims them."

The door shut behind him, and the silence took her whole.

Sophia didn't cry.

Not until the elevator doors closed.

Not until her father clutched her hand with more love than she'd ever felt.

Not until she realized the gravity of what she had done.

She was no longer Sophia Rodriguez.

She was Mrs. Mason Davis.

Pregnant.

Alone.

And trapped in a world that would never be kind to kids like her.

But inside her… a flash of fight had been born.

She had no choice but to rise.