The Billionaire's Cruel Secret Contract Marriage Deal

n her knees, the rough fibers of the cheap synthetic rug biting into her skin through the holes in her je

opped, the stain would set. If the stain set, Linda would deduct the

issed

into a domestic art form. Linda descended the stairs, the hem of her silk robe brushing against the baniste

inda," Imogen said

nda stopped by the bucket of gray, soapy water Imogen had placed besi

nees of Imogen's only white button-down shirt-the one she had iron

bric, chilling her skin. She watched the puddle expand, s

e onto Imogen's wet shoulder. "Electric bill is due. Since you're so eager to w

. She stood up, her knees cracking. "I paid the elec

ogen. It's ca

arely noon on a Tuesday. His eyes were glassy, scanning the room

of his hand. "He's willing to drop the restraining order if you agree to dinner.

rom her face. "I'm not seeing

ged. "Besides, five grand covers a

fumbling with her phone. She pulled up her banking app, thrusting the screen toward them. "Look! Look at the transfers

she looked at the defiance in Imogen's posture. She ha

rried her forward, her hip checking the corner of the heavy oak co

e! Rick, s

violence. Rick set his beer down on the mantel with a ter

as

s rained down, one slicing a thin, hot line across her calf. Imogen d

ed, stepping over the broken glass. "After w

. She braced herself, tensing her neck muscles, but the imp

A high-pitched ringing filled

, his chest heaving. "Ge

behind his anger-the fear of losing his punching bag, his p

adl

ed as her bedroom. She grabbed the handle of the suitcase sh

room, "and you don't get your papers! You hear me? I'll

b. Without those papers, she was a ghost. She couldn't get a

ck's heavy boots stom

the night. The rain hit her like a physical blow, icy and relentless. She dragged her

g back!" Rick screa

. She ran until the suburban houses blurred into wet streaks of light. She ran until she rea

, but from the adrenaline crash. Her ch

r hands trembling so badly she could barely work the zipper

et where she kept her

ound them while Imogen w

eels, the rain lashing at her legs. She had forty dollars in he

uzzed. A te

free. I'm coming

She looked out at the dark, slick street. She wasn't goin