The Secret Billionaire's Contract Bride

ken, Annette. I made it

iled high with food-far more than they ever had on a Tuesday night. A whole roasted chicken, mashed pota

long shift at the boba tea shop,

wide. "You work so hard, sweetie. You need to eat." She

as focused on his plate, sawing at his chicken with a deli

voice syrupy. "It reminds me of when you were little. You were always such

e knew this script. The feast, the compliments, the trip down memo

" she asked, her voice flat. She was

his throat. "Your mother is just s

ly, "is that a friend of his, a very important friend, has a

heavy. Annette could feel the bl

hing yet," Tamara snapped, her

aid, placing her fork down. "I

e rose. "Is that so much to ask? Af

ce rising to meet her mother's. "My savings paid for Charles's c

nd glasses jumped. "Don't you dare use that tone

tell

r brother, Annette. He's in trouble." He paused for effect. "His student loans, s

thousand. She knew Charles had debt, everyone did, but she had no idea it was tha

ition. "We didn't want to worry you! But the collection agencies... they won't s

d her from the worst of their parents. The thought of him suffering, alone, made it

he one we want you to meet. His family is very wealthy. For them, fifty thousand dol

o "made a good impression" on a wealthy man. Eleanor, with her beautiful house, her exp

sharp and final. "I will not sell myself

lit match in a

sh girl! Your brother's life is falling apart, and all you can think abou

good cop to Tamara's bad cop. "We know it's not fair.

e was trapped. Every argument she made, every refusal, would be twist

appeared. He was in his bedroom, the shadows under his eyes dark like bruises. He was trying to smile for the came

try to be strong for them, while they we

ek. She couldn't watch him suffer. She couldn't be the

he fight went out of her. Her voice was a hoarse

a let out a small, triumphant sig

Tamara said quickly, her voice bright and businesslike now.

st the linoleum floor. She walked out of the dining room and down the hal

she was sitting on the floor. She pulled her knees to her chest and bur