Contract Marriage With My Billionaire Boss novel Chapter 3

VENUS

I wiped my eyes before stepping into Mom’s ward. They must’ve been swollen. I hadn't stopped crying since dawn, and Dain? Still not picking up.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, faking a smile so fragile it could crack if she blinked too hard.

Her expression shifted instantly. “Venus, what’s wrong? You’ve been crying.”

Of course she saw through it. She always does.

“Yeah… my boss is being an ass again,” I lied. The truth would break her. And I couldn’t add one more crack to her already-fractured world.

“Venus—” she started softly.

“It was my fault. I don’t wanna talk about it,” I muttered, brushing it off like it didn’t weigh a ton.

She didn’t push. Just reached for my hand. “Okay, darling. You don’t have to.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Did Dain come by?”

“No... is he back home?” Her voice lifted, blooming with a hope that made me sick.

That man didn’t deserve her hope.

“No. He hasn’t.” My voice turned cold, sharp and bitter. She noticed.

“Venus—”

“I should go. You need rest. Chemo starts next week.”

Another lie. It scorched my throat. God, I needed to make it true before it killed her.

We hugged. She smelled like antiseptic and lavender. I held on too long. Then I left.

The hospital was close, but each step felt like dragging a dead body—mine. The weight of hopelessness pressed on my shoulders, heavy and relentless. I kept hearing it—his voice.

Marry me.

Was he serious? Was it a game? A trap he’d enjoy watching me writhe in?

The thought sickened me. The fact I was considering it? Worse.

When I reached home, the front door was cracked open.

No.

I knew I locked it.

I stepped in and there he was. Dain. Sprawled on the couch, reeking of sweat and stale alcohol. Passed out, useless.

Disgust burned up my throat.

I grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and dumped it on his face.

“Get up, you asshole.”

He bolted upright, sputtering. “What the fuck?! You little—”

“You stole my money, Dain! Where is it?!”

His bloodshot eyes lit up with smugness. “You had that much stashed and let Billy rough me up for peanuts? Selfish little bitch.”

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