Betrayed, Yet Bound To The Billionaire novel Chapter 1

At dawn, Odalys Stone cracked open her eyes, the sunlight pouring through the window making her squint.

For a moment, she stared blankly, her mind groggy, before her gaze fell on the crooked calendar on the wall. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

She was back.

Back to this godforsaken day—the day her life had been ripped apart. The day she was sold into a marriage from hell, betrayed by the very people she had called family, and ultimately killed.

Hatred boiled in her veins, rising like a tide that threatened to drown her. But just as quickly, she forced it down, letting icy calm take its place. Her past life had already wrung every last drop of emotion out of her.

Not this time. This time, she wasn't that naive, helpless girl. She was alive. And she was here to make them pay, every single one of them.

The sound of heavy footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts. A sharp knock rattled the door, followed by louder, more impatient banging.

Before Odalys could even move, the door burst open with a deafening crash. A tall figure stormed in, grabbing her arm roughly and yanking her up.

"Odalys Stone, are you fucking deaf?" Henry Bennett barked, his grip bruising, his expression one of pure rage.

Her face turned glacial, her lips curling into a sneer. Without hesitation, she twisted his wrist sharply and shoved him away with enough force to make him stumble.

As he regained his balance, blinking in stunned disbelief, Odalys calmly reached for her phone, pressing the record button without missing a beat.

Henry gawked at her, his jaw slack. This wasn't the meek, obedient sister he knew—the one who flinched at his every word. She wasn't cowering or apologizing. She had fought back.

"What the hell's gotten into you?" he spat, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "Do you think this is some kind of joke? The Stewarts are coming today, and you're still lying in bed? Do you want them to take Sophia instead? Is that it?"

Odalys's gaze hardened, her voice cutting through his tirade like a knife. "Why, Henry? Isn't she the one engaged to him? Or is it because their son is dying that you want me to take her place? You're scared she'll end up a widow, but me? I'm just expendable, right?"

His mouth opened and closed, his face turning an ugly shade of red. "Sophia is different," he muttered, his eyes darting away. "If people find out she's been married before, her life will be ruined."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and cold. "Oh, I see. Her reputation is sacred, but mine? That's disposable? How fucking convenient."

Henry's fists clenched at his sides, his face twisting with anger. Before he could lash out, a frail figure appeared at the doorway.

"Henry, stop," Sophia Bennett said, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her pale cheeks. She looked heartbreakingly pitiful, her wide eyes shimmering with sorrow. "I'll do it. I'll marry him, okay? If he dies, then... then I'll..." Her voice broke into sobs, her frail body shaking as though she might collapse.

"Enough!" Hannah Bennett's voice sliced through the room like a whip.

Odalys turned her gaze to her mother, who stood at the doorway flanked by her two brothers, Caspian and Atlas Bennett. Their faces were etched with fury, their contempt for her palpable.

"Odalys," Caspian snapped, his fists tightening, "how can you be so heartless? Sophia is your sister. Are you really going to let her face this alone?"

Atlas crossed his arms, his tone dripping with disgust. "We're not asking you to die. Just marry him for a while. Once he's gone, you'll come back safe and sound. What's the big deal?"

Their audacity was almost laughable.

Before her time travel, this might have broken her. She might have screamed, begged them to see reason, only to be crushed under their blackmail and cruelty.

She had been drugged, stripped of her dignity, and forced into that cursed marriage. And when it became too much, she had ended it all in despair.

But not this time.

"Fine," she said coolly, her tone so steady it was almost unnerving. "I never said I wouldn't marry him."

Taking a deep breath, Odalys straightened her shoulders, her lips curling into a calm, almost serene smile. Without a word, she walked to her desk, picking up a pen and paper. Her phone, still recording, caught every calculated move.

The room fell silent. They exchanged confused glances, trying to figure out what game she was playing.

A moment later, she turned back to them, holding out a document she'd just written. "Here's the deal—you're all signing this agreement to sever any and all family ties with me. I want it airtight, legally binding, and notarized. No bullshit, no loopholes. Once that's done, I'll marry the guy. Simple as that."

Their stunned silence quickly turned to outrage.

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