The Contract Bride of Westwood

Leo woke up slowly, the room still dim with the soft light of dawn pressing against the curtains. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the silence. Something felt... different.

Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting soft rays across the bedroom. Leo stirred, one arm still outstretched across the empty bed beside him. His fingers twitched slightly, as if reaching for something—someone.

His arm was draped across the empty side of the bed.

For a second, he froze.

Had he dreamed it?

The warmth. The scent. The softness against his chest. He remembered whispering something—a plea. He didn't know what exactly, but it had felt real.

Her scent lingered faintly on the pillow. So did the feeling of her pressed against his chest, her soft breathing in the dead of night.

Had he really held her? Or had his mind conjured it up?

Leo dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling hard.

He wasn't sure what terrified him more—the idea that it hadn't happened at all, or the realization that he wanted it to.

His hand grazed the sheets. Cool.

She was already up.

Leo sat up, dragging a hand through his hair. He didn't dream often. And when he did, it was usually full of shadows from the past. But last night... it had felt grounding. Warm. And that terrified him more than the nightmares ever could.

Downstairs, the manor was already bustling. A quiet hum of movement. He caught a glimpse of Melanie by the front door, dressed simply in jeans and a pale blouse, her hair tied in a loose ponytail. She looked... soft.

His mother was already beside her, impeccably dressed, giving her an approving look.

"We'll be back before lunch," she told Leo with a nod. "Don't miss us too much."

---

Melanie sat quietly in the back seat of the sleek black car, dressed in a pale blue blouse and jeans. Leo's mother had insisted on the shopping trip, and Leo had sent her off with a brief nod, handing her the black card again with a single command: "Use it."

She didn't plan to.

Westwood Mall was crowded, as usual. Security kept a respectful distance, but even still, the attention was unavoidable. Especially when Leo's mother, a woman who carried elegance like perfume, walked in beside her.

They made their way into an upscale boutique on the top floor. The older woman selected a few gowns for herself, then disappeared into the changing room with a promise to model her favorite one.

Melanie lingered by a rack of dresses, fingers brushing soft silks and glittering fabrics.

Then—

A voice.

"Wow. Didn't think you'd crawl out of your husband's mansion to shop like the rest of us."

Melanie's heart stilled.

She turned slowly.

Rose.

Her half-sister stood behind her, a wicked smile stretched across her perfect face. Dressed in designer heels and a bright red dress, Rose looked exactly like the kind of person who enjoyed stepping on others.

"Didn't think billionaires allowed strays in their homes," Rose continued, eyes sweeping over Melanie. "Oh well. I suppose anyone can buy class these days."

Melanie inhaled slowly, refusing to let her smile falter. "And here I thought you'd finally learned to keep my name out of your mouth."

Rose laughed mockingly. "Oh, I talk about you all the time. It's just funny watching you play dress-up. How long until Westwood gets bored of you, Melanie? Six months? Three?"

Melanie stepped closer, her voice icy but calm. "I'd be more worried about Adrian if I were you. You know he still looks at me like he regrets everything."

Rose's smile flickered.

Before either of them could say more, Adrian walked in.

"Ladies," he said smoothly, flashing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Did someone mention my name?"

Melanie stiffened, her spine straightening instinctively. Adrian wore a gray suit, sleek and polished, but she didn't miss the tightness in his expression when he looked at her.

He turned to Rose. "You didn't tell me we'd run into your dear sister."

Then to Melanie, "Or should I say, Mrs. Westwood?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Melanie didn't flinch. "Is that what you're going with now? Bitterness disguised as politeness?"

Adrian stepped forward. "Come on, Melanie. You really expect people to believe you married Leonard out of love?"

She narrowed her eyes.

"You married him because I left you," he said cruelly. "You needed to prove something. Admit it."

"You really think you're the center of my world, don't you?" Melanie replied, her voice dangerously quiet. "I married Leonard because he saw me when you used me. Because he never needed to lie about who he was."

Adrian scoffed. "Right. So now you're in love with the man who owns half the country. How convenient."

"Maybe," she said calmly. "But at least he's not the type to sneak around with my sister while planning a wedding."

That shut him up.

Melanie could feel the tremble of fury under Rose's fake smile.

Just then, Leo's mother stepped out of the changing room, wearing a flowing emerald dress.

"Melanie! What do you think? Too much sparkle?"

She hadn't seen the scene unfolding.

Melanie turned toward her with a practiced smile, ignoring the venomous eyes behind her.

"You look stunning," Melanie said, her voice steady.

Leo's mother beamed and turned to the boutique staff. "We'll take it. And Melanie, find something for yourself, alright? Anything you like."

Then she noticed the tension in the air.

Her gaze shifted to the couple standing a few feet away—Rose's sneer barely disguised, and Adrian's arms folded like he belonged there. Melanie stood rigid, her expression unreadable.

Leo's mother's smile dropped slightly. She looked between them, then turned to Melanie.

"Who are these people?"

Before Melanie could respond, Rose stepped forward with a sugary sweet smile. "I'm Rose. Melanie's younger sister."

There was a pause.

Leo's mother blinked. "Younger sister?"

"Yes," Rose replied, still smiling, though her eyes gleamed with challenge. "We're family. Well, we were—before she decided to jump ship and marry into money."

Melanie stiffened, but before she could retort, Adrian added coolly, "And I'm her husband. Melanie's ex-fiance, actually. Small world, right?"

The silence that followed was thick.

Leo's mother's expression didn't change, but the frost in her eyes was unmistakable. She studied them both, slowly.

And then, she turned to Melanie.

"Come, dear," she said quietly, placing a hand on Melanie's arm. "You don't owe them a second more."

But just as they turned to leave, Adrian's voice rang out again—low and smug.

"You can play perfect wife now, Melanie... but we both know why Leo married you."

Melanie paused, her spine straightening—but Leo's mother turned first, her expression calm but cutting.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice now sharp as glass. "What did you just say?"

Adrian opened his mouth, but Leo's mother raised one hand.

"No, I'm asking because I'd love to hear you finish that sentence in front of Leonard himself."

Adrian's jaw twitched.

Melanie's heart pounded. This wasn't just tension anymore—it was the slow unfurling of a war.

And somewhere inside her… something clicked into place.

This wasn't over.