THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Zara’s POV

They were all still gathered around the bonfire-just the four of us. We sat there, engrossed in our conversations and stories. Typically, I would be the one steering the boat, while Fin and Nick delved into their business discussions. If Nick dared to start a topic that didn’t sit well with Antoinette, she would swiftly shut him down with a devastating blow.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Fin would ever seek someone else. But truth be told, he was head over heels for Antoinette, and it was evident to everyone. Their love for each other was undeniable, a stark contrast to my own situation. Yet, despite that, Fin and I were still great friends, and I couldn’t deny that he had all the qualities of an ideal husband.

Our conversations mostly revolved around drama series, something I was passionate about. Antoinette and I would excitedly discuss dramas, screaming and swooning over our favorite actors. It never failed to put a smile on our faces, although I couldn’t help but notice Fin’s slightly furrowed brow, perhaps a tinge of jealousy toward our beloved actors.

As it became late, we found ourselves growing drowsy, our eyes tired from all the excitement. It was time to call it a night, so I bid them farewell and headed straight to my room at the resort hotel.

Alas, my peace was short-lived as someone began knocking on my door, jolting me awake. Annoyed, I swung the door open, only to be greeted by the sight of a familiar, striking figure.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, somewhat taken aback.

His dark, sleep-deprived eyes met mine, and despite his exhaustion, he exuded a captivating charm. His tall stature left me in awe.

“We need to talk, Zara. We need to resolve this,” he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of desperation.

I had hoped that the letter I had given him would have conveyed my intentions clearly. And yet, here he stood, seemingly unhappy about the prospect of our separation. Wasn’t that what he wanted all along? So why was he barging into my room like a madman? Why was he angry if we were no longer a part of his life? It was confounding. He was a mess.

“So early in the morning, Lucas? And why are you here? I’ll send the divorce papers next week. Don’t worry, I won’t run away. You’ll be free from me soon enough,” I retorted, exasperated.

“Do you think I’m here because of that? I’m here to win you back, Zara,” his words were harsh, each one piercing through me.

To be honest, I had no time for games or charades with him. Did he want me back? Why… I wanted to ask why, but he wouldn’t allow it. I couldn’t bear the anticipation of hearing his answer.

I thought I was strong enough. Yet, seeing him in the flesh weakened my walls, crumbling like fragile twigs and hay. His mere presence made me irrationally vulnerable.

Impatiently, I stared at him. “You’re only wasting our time, Lucas. I don’t have time to play games with you. Furthermore, I don’t have time to guess your intentions. I want you gone.”

I attempted to close the door, but the disparity in strength between us became evident. His single hand was enough to prevent the door from shutting.

“I said we need to talk, Zara,” he persisted, attempting to force his way into my room. Determined, I pushed him away with all my might.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Leave! This is my personal space, Lucas. Get out,” anger surged through me, not directed at him but at myself.

Call me stupid, for a single touch could resurrect my long-buried emotions. It was true. There was a flickering hope within my heart, the hope that perhaps, just perhaps, he felt a pang of jealousy, a tinge of pain from our departure. And I despised myself for being so weak in his presence.

Please, Lucas, I beg of you. All I need is time and space. I promise to leave you alone. I promise to grant you your freedom. My voice trembled with sadness, my heart already aching from what he was revealing, perhaps just a facade.

“Lucas, move aside and let me close the door!”

Yet, he stubbornly entered my room.

I stood there, unable to muster a response, closing my eyes in defeat. I felt like I had failed once again. I couldn’t hold onto my independence in his presence.

Facing him, I shut the door, our eyes locked in an intense gaze. He sat on my bed, his gaze piercing into my soul.

“Lucas…” I uttered wearily. “Let’s take care of ourselves, okay? Let’s stop torturing each other. Please, just please.”

His eyes flashed with anger and narrowed at my words.

“Then damn it, cage me, Zara! I won’t resist. I just want you back! That’s all… Why can’t you give me that?” His words left me stunned, as he sounded unlike himself.

“For what, Lucas?! Is it because of this child? I’m willing to compromise. What else? Is it because you think I’m after your money? I can provide too, Lucas. So please, stop saying such things! Stop being selfish, because I’ve stopped being selfish with you!”

My rage consumed me.

“I love you, Zara! Now you’ve heard it! That is my reason-I just want you back. I want to be a part of your life. And you have no idea how much you’ve hurt me, Zara, by leaving me!” I stood there, taken aback by his words, trying to process the sudden change in him.

“Lucas, what’s going on? This doesn’t sound like you. Where is Giselle?” I asked, puzzled by the unrealistic nature of his words.

The Lucas I knew would say things like, ‘I love Giselle very much’ or ‘Giselle is my life!’ He wouldn’t express these feelings for me.

“I’m not joking, Zara! I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t imagine my life without you. The thought of you with someone else makes me so jealous, even Nick. I’m falling for you!”

My shock grew with each word he spoke. Was he confessing his feelings to me? Could it be true?

“Lucas, I’ve given up…” I admitted, unsure of his intentions.

Perhaps he loves me now, but what about Giselle? Will I be the one left heartbroken?

“Then let me fight for us this time. I’ll shout to the world how much I love you if I have to. Please don’t leave me. I can’t bear the thought of losing you, especially to Nick. No one would blame you if it wasn’t me!” His possessiveness emerged like a stormy climate-damaging me with its changing weather.

“You don’t love me, Lucas. You’re just starting to believe you do because you hate the idea of losing me. Maybe it’s your ego or the thought of someone else loving me. But that will pass, Lucas. My advice to you is to let go, to stop this destructive cycle.”

I was tired and emotionally exhausted from our turbulent relationship.

Suddenly, he reached out and touched my waist. Our eyes met, and this time, I didn’t see anger but genuine love. I wanted to believe it was true, without jokes or hidden meanings.

My heart raced, like a drum beating fiercely. My knees felt weak, and I nearly lost my breath from the intensity of the moment. Without thinking, my lips found their way to his, moving in a rhythm that made me feel like I was floating on cloud nine. It was a pleasure beyond words, like a dream come true.

In that fragile but honest moment, it felt like everything else faded away. The anger and pain turned to ashes, replaced by the sweet taste of his kiss. We were so lost in each other that we didn’t realize we had entered my room, with Antoinette, Fin, Nick, and my parents present. Embarrassment washed over me, and I wished I could bury my face in that moment.

“Move on, huh?” Antoinette’s voice broke the silence as we sat at a table.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at her, feeling ashamed of my own moment of weakness. I had been so strong just the night before, and now I seemed to crumble and fall apart.

Nick had disappeared, and I had no idea where he went or what happened to his girlfriend. But in that moment, it didn’t matter.

We found ourselves in a buffet-style restaurant, surrounded by people enjoying their breakfast. My son and Lucas sat at a separate table, Lucas wearing a smile that couldn’t be wiped off his face. I nudged him, annoyed by his happiness. How could he be so happy after what we had just done? I felt like I was going crazy with embarrassment.

“Stop smiling like that. It’s not good to be so happy,” I scolded him, and he pouted like a banished puppy.

This side of him, the one in love with me, was something I never dreamed I would see. The way he reacted to my reprimands, acting childishly, showed just how deeply he cared.

He was an open door for me, and I was grateful that this day had finally come.

“Son?” I called out to Enrique, trying to get our son’s attention.

“Yes?” my son responded, still upset.

Lucas let out a sigh. “I know I’ve done bad things to you, son. I haven’t been a good husband or father for a long time. But things will change, I promise. I will make up for my mistakes and be the father and pillar of our home that you deserve.”

His words were filled with sincerity and love, and I could feel his heart pouring out.

“I’m scared, Daddy. What if you go back to being mean to us?” my son expressed his fear, the pain from previous disappointments still lingering.

“That won’t happen, son. I will do everything in my power to make things right. I love you, and I’m so proud to have you. Consider this my belated gift to you.”

I read the papers Lucas handed to me. He was granting our child the Blackwood surname, acknowledging him as his legitimate son. It meant the world to my son, and tears of joy streamed down his face.

“Stop crying, son. They might think I’m making you cry,” Lucas said with a chuckle.

“Yes, Daddy. You’re making me cry tears of happiness.”

My son’s words brought a smile to my face, grateful for this newfound hope in our lives.