THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Lucas’ POV

“Lucas… Lucas! You’re doing it again.” Giselle’s voice pierced through my thoughts, and I realized she was growing irritated with me.

My mind was consumed by a troubling thought. Zara didn’t need me anymore. A man named Nick had entered her life. So, all this time, she had someone else? The very idea pierced through me like a knife. How could she move on so easily?

“Lucas! What are you thinking about?” Giselle’s voice snapped me back to reality, and she threw a tantrum.

I kissed her gently on the forehead and mustered a smile. “It’s nothing, babe. I’m just a little stressed from work.”

Her smile, the one that had captured my heart time and time again, lit up her face. We had been together since our college days, and I had been faithful to her, never even considering anyone else.

But one fateful, uneventful night, things took an unexpected turn. Fueled by alcohol and a fight with a friend named Pedro, I made a terrible mistake and ended up sleeping with another woman.

The morning after was a wake-up call, and I was consumed by misery. I had failed to be the loyal boyfriend I prided myself on being, and I directed all my anger toward Zara Delafontaine.

All I knew about her was that we had graduated from the same university, and she came from a modest background, having earned a scholarship to attend our prestigious alma mater.

That one night, amidst a heated argument with my girlfriend, I succumbed to alcohol’s numbing embrace without realizing the consequences. I mistook the woman lying next to me for Giselle, only to wake up to a harsh reality.

Instead of directing my anger toward myself, I unloaded it onto the unsuspecting girl. How dare she use that situation to her advantage?! I threatened her, ensuring that no one would ever know what had transpired between us. My reputation was at stake, and being from one of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent families, I guarded it fiercely. I had every intention of remaining faithful to Giselle, the woman I envisioned walking down the aisle with.

And so, I left the crying girl behind, dismissing her as a one-night mistake. Little did I know that fate had a different plan in store for me. My careless actions had far-reaching consequences, as that night of indiscretion bore fruit.

I tried to ignore it, desperately hoping it wouldn’t disrupt the life I had carefully built. I was content with my wealth, my name, and the woman I had always dreamed of having. How dare this woman come and ruin it all?

To make matters worse, her influential grandfather pulled strings, even involving prominent government officials, to force a shotgun marriage-an empty union devoid of love. I tried to reason, offering financial support instead, but the old man was obstinate, wanting his grandson to have a father.

From that day forward, I made a solemn promise to myself. I would make their lives as miserable as possible. Our son, Enrique, would never have my sympathy or love, just as his mother would never hold any significance to me beyond being the bearer of my child. I was determined to make them suffer, and nothing else mattered at that moment.

I had intended to keep the sin I committed a secret, known only to a select few. Even my parents, siblings, and Giselle were oblivious to what had transpired. Only my uncle, who happened to be the governor, was privy to the truth, while the rest were left in the dark.

For the past six years, I had kept them at arm’s length, refusing to acknowledge the concept of family. So why should I feel guilty about what had happened? I yelled at the child in a fit of rage, causing him to pass out.

At that moment, fear gripped me as I witnessed my son’s lifeless form. Zara was livid and didn’t allow me to help. She took Enrique to the hospital on her own.

I followed behind, filled with a strange mix of anger and confusion. How could she have moved on so quickly, finding solace in another man’s arms? And why did it bother me so much? That night, sleep eluded me, as my mind wrestled with conflicting emotions.

The following day, I needed to see Giselle. I missed her but she had a photo shoot. I had no choice but to keep myself busy at work. As the CEO of Blackwood Corporation, a multinational corporation with interest in shipping and banking, my responsibilities were immense.

I was feared by many tycoons, as they knew that crossing paths with my company could spell disaster for their businesses. My family’s prominence was unquestionable, but my life had been marred by a single woman and a son I never loved.

“Sir, your schedule is free around 3 in the afternoon after your meeting with one of the investors,” Mary, my long-time secretary and one of the few people privy to my secret family, informed me.

I nodded, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. “Okay, Mary…”

“Is Enrique okay, sir? I heard the news from Zara…” Mary’s concerned voice broke through the haze.

Mary was a unique woman, unlike the other secretaries I had gone through. If it wasn’t due to my own incompetence, there was always some ulterior motive behind the constant changes.

However, Mary was an exception. She was not only efficient but also assertive, unafraid to speak her mind while maintaining boundaries. I could sense that she had overheard something about my secret family.

“I don’t know, and please stop sympathizing with them. You have no idea what I’ve been through because of Zara,” I insisted firmly. The flame of my anger towards them refused to be extinguished.

“My choice to show sympathy is none of your concern, sir. I just want to remind you that while Zara may have contributed to your misery, do you have to hate the child? And yes, sir, it is none of my business. I just needed to vent. I am also a mother, a single parent. I know the pain Zara feels when she sees her son suffer,” Mary expressed, taking a deep breath before bowing slightly. “That’s all, sir. Excuse me.”

Mary’s words lingered in my mind, causing further contemplation even during the investor meeting. Guilt began to gnaw at my conscience, clouding my thoughts. Maybe I was feeling guilty, unable to escape the weight of my actions.

Although I wanted to visit my girlfriend, I knew she was a career-oriented woman who might be occupied with other commitments. I understood and respected that. Lost in my thoughts, I decided to go home to have a conversation with Zara.

All I desired was to appease my guilt-ridden heart!

However, as I arrived, I noticed someone inside. I couldn’t ignore what had transpired the previous night. I was stressed, but I didn’t want to take it out on the child anymore. To my surprise, I found Zara, organizing clothes into a bag.

She was so focused on the task and I believed she didn’t notice me so I left her to continue doing what she was doing, and headed to the kitchen to get something to drink.

Taking a sip from the glass, I noticed Zara had followed me. She seemed calmer now, sitting across from me at the dining table. The way she looked at me indicated that she had made a decision, and now was the moment to share it. Curiosity piqued, and I volunteered to sit in front of her. It was clear she had something important to say.

“Lucas, I have signed the documents and finalized everything for the divorce,” she stated bluntly, her gaze unwavering. She no longer held back.

For a long time, we had remained together under the same roof, and these were the words I had longed to hear. I wanted her to let me go, to sign the divorce papers. Although it was emphasized on the contract that I should only be the one to initiate a divorce, my pride stopped me from doing it.

“R-Really? Are you sure about what you’re saying?” I sought reassurance.

Once again, she nodded, but what she said next was unexpected.