THE STAIN: CONTRACT WIFE FOR THE COLD BILLIONAIRE.

The ballroom was a place everyone long to be at except Ethan Rivers.

Ethan Rivers stood at the edge of the ballroom, his eyes scanning the crowd he looks bored and piss off . The champagne flutes clinked, the laughter was forced, and the air was thick with pretence. He hated such events, but his PR team insisted he needed to be seen.

Lia Mason, on the other hand, wasn't scanning the crowd, she was drowning in her own anxiety. The tips of her fingers were stiff as she balanced the tray of champagne glasses. One wrong move and she would be out of a job,she couldn't afford that. Her mom's surgery bill was not going to pay itself. She taught "How would I raise the money"my mum life support ends tomorrow by 8AM No extension.

She tried so hard to pay attention to her job, but only what she could think about was her mom surgery,As she moved through the expensive and designer gowns, a voice growled behind her, "Watch it, waitress,The 8 glasses of champagne she carried was on the ground.

Lia's elbow jolted. And the next thing she knew, a $20,000 suit was drugged in golden liquid.

The room went quiet.

Ethan's dark eyes narrowed at the girl petite, terrified, and now frantic. "You. You did that."

Lia's face burned. "I I'm so sorry, sir. I will pay"

"Pay? Do you think you can pay for this?"

The music stopped. The guests turned. And Lia wanted to vanish.

Ethan's voice cut through the silence, "I want her fired."

Ethan's words hung in the air like a guillotine. Lia's eyes widened as the room seemed to shrink. The music stopped for a moment the laughter stuck in mid-air, and all she could hear was her own heart thumping like a drum.

"I will pay for the dry cleaning," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew it was a stupid thing to say the moment the words left her lips. This wasn't about dry cleaning. This was about her entire future.

Ethan's smile was a cold, calculated move. "Twenty thousand dollars, Miss for this...?" He raised an eyebrow, expecting her to fill in the blank.

"Lia Mason,whispered, her cheeks burning with humiliation. "I don't have twenty thousand dollars."

The crowd leaned in, sensing blood. This was better than the charity auction they had watched earlier.

Ethan's gaze raked over her like she was trash. "Then I guess you're out of luck. Security, escort her out." She is fired.

Lia's eyes stung. This was it. She'd lose her job, her scholarship, everything. Her mom's surgery...payment is due tomorrow.

Suddenly, a soft voice piped up from the crowd. "I will for pay it."

Ethan's head snapped toward the voice. Lia followed his gaze to a silver-haired woman in a red gown. "I will cover the cost, Ethan. Let the girl go."

Ethan's jaw ticked. "It's not about the money, Victoria."

The woman, Victoria, smiled sweetly. "Of course it isn't, darling. It's about being reasonable."

The tension broke. The music started again, and the crowd dispersed, bored with the drama. Ethan's eyes never left Lia's face. "You. Be at my office tomorrow. 8 AM. We need to discuss this."

Lia nodded, still dazed. What did he want with her?

As she turned to leave, her heel caught on the hem of her skirt. Ethan's arm shot out, catching her before she fall into the crowd.

For some seconds, they were pressed together. Lia felt the warmth of his chest, the scent of his collet, the power in his grip. Then he let go, she was on fire.

"Tomorrow, Miss Mason," he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Lia fled, her heart racing. What just happened?

Ethan watched her go, his eyes narrowing. This wasn't over. Not by a mile.

Lia fled the ballroom, her heels clicking on the marble floor like her heart trying to get out. She didn't stop until she hit the cool night air, gulping in oxygen like it was lifeline. The doorman raised an eyebrow at her paled face. "Taxi, miss?"

She nodded, couldn't talk if she talked she might cry. The gala was a disaster. Her job was gone. Her mom's surgery...ohh I don't want my mum dead she taught to herself I have to find another way.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Emma, her best friend. How's the gala?

Lia typed furiously. Got fired. Meet me at cafe tomorrow,We need to talk.

The taxi arrived, Taxi smell old, Lia gave her address, then dropped her head into her hands. What just happened back there?

Ethan's face lingered in her mind - cold, handsome, ruthless. Why did he want to see her tomorrow?

The taxi stopped at her place, Her small old, crooked house, paint falling off.mom was asleep on the couch, TV still on,but on a low volume,Lia kissed her forehead."i will make sure I fix this Mum" She whispered.

She changed into Pajamas sat there staring at nothing, her mind racing. Who was that woman, Victoria? Why did she look at me that way And why did Ethan look like he wanted to own her?seems she knows something....lia's taught.

Lia's phone lit up . A notification from the hospital "Test done pay tomorrow".

Tomorrow

Lia's heart sank. No job, no money...

A knock at the door made her jump. Who was that? At this hour?11pm

She checked the small hole on her door she saw a man, suited man stood outside, expression unreadable.

"Miss Lia Mason?" he asked, his voice low.

Lia nodded, heart racing.

"Message from Mr. Rivers. He'll cover your mother's surgery costs. Be at his office tomorrow. 8 AM sharp."

The man handed her a card. Rivers Towers. Penthouse.

Lia's eyes widened. What game was Ethan playing?

She slammed the door shut, her mind racing, fear and anger too tired of been broke her mum surgery,life support due by 8AM Tomorrow. Tomorrow was shaping up to be hell.

Her phone buzzed again.Unknown number. Just a line message.Dont sign anything he his hiding a child.lia dropped the phone what child?who sent this text....why is everything so complicated this night?

Ethan leaned back in his chair, eyes on the file in front of him. Lia Mason. Med student. Mom's surgery needed. Perfect for this.

His phone buzzed. A text from Victoria. Don't play with fire, Ethan.

He smiled coldly. Oh, but I will.

Lia paced her small home, the card in her hand like a ticking bomb. Rivers Towers. Penthouse, the text. What did Ethan want? Her mind sense scenarios all bad. Would he make her work for him? Pay off the debt like some dark fairytale?

Her mom stirred on the couch. "Lia, sweetie...what's wrong?"

Lia forced a smile. "Nothing, Mum. Just...work went weird. Get rest, okay?"

Her mom nodded, eyes gradually shut. Lia's gut twisted. She would fix this. Tomorrow.

At 7 AM, Lia stood outside Rivers Towers, her heart in her throat. The building loomed like a steel giant. She pressed the penthouse button. The elevator open. A suited assistant greeted her. "Mr. Rivers is waiting, Miss Mason."

Lia followed him into a glass-walled office. Ethan sat behind a desk, eyes on her like he owned her. "Close the door, Thompson."

The door clicked shut. Lia's pulse raced.

"So, Miss Mason." Ethan's leaned back. "You need money. I need...a favor."

A favor from him? Lia's instincts screamed warning. "What kind of favor?"

Ethan's smile was ice. "Marry me."

Lia blinked. Marry him?

"Not for love," he added, "For business. One year. You'll get...everything. Your mom's surgery, paid. A million dollars."

Lia's head spun. Why? What was the catch?

Ethan leaned forward. "My grandfather's will. I marry, stay married one year...I inherit a billion. You get...freedom. Money."

Lia's thoughts swirled. A contract wife?

Lia's laugh was incredulous. "You can't be serious." Marry a stranger? For money? The words sounded insane aloud.

Ethan's face was a mix of calm but his eyes burned with something lia' couldn't place."Dead serious. One year, Lia. You'll be Mrs. Rivers. Live in this tower, play the part. I will handle the rest."

Lia's mind raced. A million dollars. Mum's surgery. Her future... "What's the catch?" She asked again her words barley above a whisper.

Ethan's eyes glinted. "No touching. No love. No backing out. If you divorce me before a year, you get nothing. And..." He paused his gaze pinned her to the spot.

Lia's heart skipped. "And?"

"If you screw this up, I will ruin you. No med school. No job. You'll be done."

Lia's felt like she has been slapped.Lia's breath caught. Ruthless. He was ruthless.But...Mum.she taught of her mum smile,her laugh,her hope.lia's "I would do anything for my mum surgery she taught "

The silence stretched. Her mom's face flashed in her mind - sick, hopeful. The hospital bill...

"Okay," Lia whispered. "One year."

Ethan's eyes flashed with something triumph, satisfaction "Good. We will sign the contract. Today."

Lia nodded, feeling trapped. This was crazy.

Ethan stood, towering over her. "Thompson, bring the papers."

The assistant entered with a sleek folder. Lia signed with shaking hands. Ethan signed with a flourish. The deal was sealed.

As they left the office, Ethan's hand brushed against hers. Lia jerked away, her heart racing like she had touched fire.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, you are mine now.

Lia turned to him, her voice shaking. "What now?"

Ethan's smile . "Now, you pack. You will move in tonight."

Lia's jaw dropped. "Tonight?"

Ethan's voice was ice. "I said tonight."

Lia turned to leave, but his next words stopped her. "And, Lia?"

"Yes?" she whispered, her heart pounding.

"Don't try to run. You will regret it."

Lia's heart pounded as she walked out. She hailed a taxi, Contract wife. One year. What have I gotten myself into?

The taxi dropped her home. Lia entered

her home Lia started packing, What was she getting into? The text don't sign anything keeps making her feel like l this is more than a contract"

As she zipped her suitcase, her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

I'll pick you up at 10 PM. Be ready.

Lia's heart skipped. Ethan.

She looked around her tiny home,

At 10 PM, Lia stood outside her building, suitcase in hand. A black car pulled up. The window rolled down. Ethan's eyes met hers

"Get in," he said, his voice low, sending a shiver down her spine,Lia hesitated then got in the car.... she got in.

He hold her hand in the car which send a shiver down her spine....she taught "what next"

As the car drove off, Lia felt a shiver. This was it. One year. Contract wife.

Ethan's voice broke the silence. "Welcome to your new life, Lia."

Lia's heart pounded. What have i gotten gotten myself into?