The Billionaire's Heiress: Bound By Circumstance

Abigail Holden’s POV.

Cruelty and unjust.

That was it.

That was what this life, my life was all about.

Death had managed to claim my parents’ lives, notwithstanding every effort I poured into the misfortune and now it threatens to take away the only family I have left.

My name is Abigail Holden, a twenty-five-year-old vibrant and beautiful woman whom life has dealt with from every corner of her existence. I came from a family of two. I had spent my life savings on my parents who later died of liver disease, leaving me behind with my elder brother.

Months later, my brother was diagnosed with heart disease. This was because of his habit of drinking heavily apart from the fact that we had a trait of heart and liver diseases in our family.

My brother, Kingston, owned a small boutique store which he left under my care due to his health issues while our late mom owned a restaurant business which I had also been managing ever since her demise. Juggling between both businesses has not been easy but I wouldn’t dare to give up especially now that the doctor in charge of Kingston’s hospitality has made a demand of a total amount of $9,230 for his surgery.

But then how would I manage to save up to such an amount of money when both businesses barely generate up to $2000 on a daily basis?

Just how?

This situation at hand resulted in me seeking a part-time job. And luckily for me, I got accepted to work as a cook in a wealthy woman’s home.

This is why life is cruel. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that I found resolve even though it’s not an instant and long-lasting solution to my problem.

But I insist that life is cruel.

Because…

Why me?

Why was I being subjected to suffering and despair while most people go about their day, living life in fullness and joy?

“Abigail!” I was jolted back to the present by the sharp, insistent voice of my employer, Madeline Sinclair. “What on earth are you doing? The food is burning!” she snapped, her voice echoing through the kitchen.

Madeline was a wealthy widow in her late forties who had an only child— Dominic, the CEO of some sort of company that I hadn’t cared to know. She was sometimes nice and sometimes mean but either way, she was sympathetic and that was what I loved most about her.

I whipped around, my face burning with embarrassment and shame. The pan on the stove was smoking, the food charred and blackened. I was deep in thought with my mind wandering and had totally forgotten that I had something on the fire.

“I'm so sorry, Ma’am. Madeline,” I stammered, my words coming out in a jumble.

Madeline glared at me, her eyes narrowed with disappointment and annoyance. “This is unacceptable, Abigail,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “You know I have high standards. I expect perfection from everyone who works in this house, especially the cook,”

I nodded, my head hanging in shame. I knew how important Madeline's food was to her.

“I'm sorry, Ma’am Madeline,” I felt defeated. “It won't happen again,”

She sighed, her shoulders slumping with a weary sigh. “You know, Abigail,” she said, her voice softening slightly. “I hired you because I thought you had talent. But if you can't meet my expectations, then I'll have no choice but to let you go,”

I swallowed hard, fear and desperation welling up inside me. I couldn't lose this job, not when I needed the money so badly.

“Please, Ma’am Madeline,” I begged desperately. “Give me another chance. I'll make it up to you,”

Madeline took a few steps forward, ending up in proximity to me.

“Abigail,” she said gently and sympathetically. “What's wrong? What's put you in such a mood today?”

I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with my personal problems. But Madeline was nothing if not persistent.

“It's my brother,” I finally confessed, my voice thick with emotion. “He's sick, and the doctor says he needs surgery. The money I make from all jobs is not even halfway enough to do anything,”

Madeline's expression softened. “I'm so sorry to hear that, Abigail,” she said. Then she gazed at me for a moment, letting out a weak smile which had me confused for a bit.

“What do you think of my son?” She blurted out I batted my eyes, struggling to figure out what her son had to do with my predicament.

“Your son? Dominic?” I queried.

She nodded.

“Well, he appears calm and nice although cold but…” I hesitated which prompted a look of eagerness from her, making me spill me immediately. “He drinks a lot and that’s a turn-off for me,” I concluded, biting my lower lip and hoping that I wouldn’t get myself fired.

She felt disappointed at this but suddenly, her mood lit up a bit. “What if I offered to pay for the surgery?” she said quietly but insistently. “On one condition,”

My heart skipped a beat as I felt hopeful and fearful. “What's the condition?” I quivered.

Madeline smiled knowingly. “You agree to marry my son, Dominic,” she said finally.

I felt as if I'd been hit by a truck. Dominic. The cold proud man who likes to think that people who aren’t in the same position he is aren’t trying, the man who was a heavy drinker.

“I'm sorry, Ma’am,” I said, shaking my head. “But I can't do that. Dominic is not the kind of man I would marry,”

Madeline's eyes softened. “Please, just do this for me?”

Please? Really?

I stood up, my shoulders squared and my head held high. “I'm sorry, Ma’am,”I repeated clearly “But I won't marry your son,”

I turned to leave in disappointment. But just as I reached the front door, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the name on the screen. It was a text from Dr. Richards that read:

I'm afraid this is bad news, Miss Holden. Your brother's condition has worsened. He needs surgery as soon as possible and it will cost $9,230

My stomach dropped as the weight of the situation bore down on me.

I leaned against the wall, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

There was only one option left, and it filled me with dread.

I turned back to Madeline, my face ashen and my voice trembling.

“I'll do it,” I said. “I'll marry Dominic,”

Abigail Holden’s POV.

“I told you to quit working here. A new cook is on her way here already,” Madeline whined, uncovering the plates to see their contents. She inhaled sharply and gradually exhaled, savoring the aroma of the food I had just served on the dining table. I had made her favorite dish— chicken sauce with rice, as my token of gratitude for her help so far and for a quality memory of my departure.

I chuckled. “Oh, c’mon ma’am. I just needed to do this. Please, enjoy your meal,” I replied, turning away to leave. She held me back while she settled down into the chair. “Eat with me,”

I hesitated, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. But in the end, I took a seat, feeling rigid and tense.

Madeline smiled at me, her expression almost maternal.

“Thank you, Abigail,” she said warmly and appreciatively. “For agreeing to marry Dominic. I know it wasn't an easy decision for you, but it means a great deal to me,”

I nodded, my lips pressed into a thin line. “You're welcome, Ma’am Madeline,” I said, my voice curt and impersonal. “I would like to thank you too,”

Madeline seemed to sense my discomfort, but she didn't let it deter her. “You’re welcome,”

“I want you to know that I understand your reservations about Dominic,” she said sincerely.

“But I also want you to know that deep down, he's a good man,” she continued, her expression pleading and hopeful. “He's just...lost his way, a bit. I think you could be good for him. And I think he could be good for you, too,”

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I appreciate your faith in me, ma’am Madeline,” I said, my voice neutral and controlled.

She sighed heavily, dropping the glass of water in her hand on the table. “So, I don’t know if the doctor already told you but I have made the payment for the surgery,”

My eyes grew misty instantly, prompting me to rise from where I sat adjacent to her and embrace her in a hug. “Thank you so much, Ma’am. You really have no idea of what you have just done for me. I’m so grateful,” I cried She chuckled a bit as she patted my back while embracing me tighter. “You’re welcome, Abigail. I really enjoyed my moments with you. It can be difficult sometimes but you have managed to pull through with me without any chaos encountered. You make good meals and you’re loyal and humble— the reason why I want you for my son,” said earnestly.

Then she pulled away from the hug, guiding me to take my seat. “But you have to promise me one thing,” her brows furrowed.

“What could that be, ma’am?” I asked, wiping my mouth with the napkin on the table.

“Promise me that I will stay with my son no matter what,” she said. It felt like her voice was trembling but I wondered how she maintained composure even with her trembling voice.

I darted my eyes around the corner, unsure of what to say. What could I have gotten myself into? Was there some sort of difficulty or circumstance I was bound to face which I am ignorant about that made her ask for such a promise?

I hesitated.

I was skeptical.

But if really there was something ahead that I wouldn’t be able to handle, how would I go back this? The marriage contract has been signed already and the surgery bills have been paid too. How do I figure everything out?

“I promise,” I blurted out, with my eyes tightly shut.

“Abigail, look at me,” Madeline ordered.

I decided to let loose and give her my attention.

She gazed at me, dropping her spoon on her plate. “You will not regret it. And you’re safe with my son,” she said with determination.

I wouldn’t lie, I felt it. Maybe I was just worried and scared over nothing. I mean, I’m sure he was being forced into this marriage with me. I don’t look like his type. I am not his type. Thus, we both will have our ways and mind our businesses.

But…

How on earth did ma’am Madeline get him to marry me? I don’t even look sophisticated enough for him to want me as his girlfriend not to talk of having me as his wife.

“I have also transferred $100,000 to your account, just in case you need anything. Also, I ordered Caritas, my PA to go on a shopping spree for you because if you want to be spoken to by Dominic, it’s best if you change your wardrobe and look sophisticated enough to attract him. She should be back by now and I’m sure everything is already packed in the car trunk,” she concluded

“What?!” I screamed $100,000? I had never had such an amount of money in my account.

“Omg, thank you so much, Ma’am Madeline. I’m so grateful for this,” I sobbed, my knees already turning red and hurting for being on the floor. I was that fragile with sensitive skin. It doesn’t matter how long I have been kneeling, the main point is that there’d be clear evidence of it immediately.

“Get done with your meal and prepare. I’ll drop you off at my son’s house in an hour,” she said, getting up to leave. “Lest I forget, everything you need, especially your outfit is already placed in your room. Don’t be late,” she said finally, walking away in a grand style.

I sighed. Maybe the life I chose wasn’t bad after all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m used to spending money but then not as huge as this one ma’am Madeline keeps showering on me.

We pulled up at Dominic’s mansion, the iron gates glowing as the sun shone on it. His mansion was grand and such a palatial estate. Madeline's face lit up with a satisfied smile.

“You're in good hands, Abigail,” she said, her voice brimming with pride. “Go inside. He's expecting you,”

I looked out at the sprawling grounds, the immaculate gardens and fountains, the towering columns of the mansion, and I felt my heart sink with dread.

I was about to enter the lion's den.