The Billionaire Forced Me to Marry Him to Save His Mistress From Scandal

Three years ago, my mother was operated on by a doctor who was drunk after a party. She made a bet with her colleagues that she could still save a patient even with the influence of alcohol.

But one wrong cut, one careless slip, and instead of healing, my mother was condemned to a coma.

My brother Paul, who is a lawyer, tried to fight back. He filed a lawsuit against the hospital and that doctor—Kyline. He wanted justice for our mother, for our family. But the hospital was powerful, and so was she.

Somehow, they twisted everything. Evidence disappeared, stories were rewritten, and suddenly Paul was branded a liar. They accused him of defamation. They dragged his name through the mud, painted him unstable. He was the one thrown in jail, lost his license, while the real criminal walked free.

I refused to stay silent. I went to the media. I told them the truth. I begged the world to listen. But instead of sympathy, I was mocked. They called me dramatic, vindictive. Said I was ruining the reputation of a “good” doctor. And as the stories spread, investors began pulling out of our company. One by one, they left until our father’s legacy, the empire he had built with his blood, was crumbling in front of me.

I was desperate.

That was when Brendon came.

He was powerful, wealthy, and worst of all—someone I had secretly admired even before all of this. When he acquired our company, he offered me marriage. No ceremony, no vows, no romance—just a certificate, just his name.

He promised me stability, promised that my mother would continue to receive treatment, promised to protect me in exchange for my submission.

I said yes.

Even if it was a prison, it was better than watching everything fall apart. I told myself I could be a good wife, even if I wasn’t loved.

And today… was our third anniversary.

I smiled faintly at the pregnancy test in my hands. Positive. I traced my fingers over the faint pink lines, my heart swelling. Brendon had always wanted an heir, someone to carry on his name.

Maybe this would make him see me differently. Maybe this would change everything. I imagined his face softening, imagined the way he would hold me, the way he might finally love me fully… not because he needed to.

I was preparing the surprise when I saw it—something glimmering on his desk. A necklace. Not just any necklace, but the Audrey Hepburn-inspired gold set I had been longing for.

My breath caught. He remembered. He actually remembered.

My hands trembled as I clasped it around my neck, staring at my reflection. For the first time in years, I felt… beautiful. Wanted.

The door opened.

Brendon’s eyes went immediately to the necklace. His face darkened. “How dare you wear that?”

I blinked, confused. “I… I thought… it was for me. For our anniversary—”

He stormed forward, ripping it from my neck so roughly it scratched my skin. “This isn’t for you. Don’t flatter yourself. Why would I waste something this expensive on you?”

My chest tightened, the words sinking like knives. “But I thought—”

“You thought wrong.” His voice was sharp, merciless. “Do you know how much I’m already paying for your mother’s treatment? That’s enough generosity. About the anniversary—cancel it. I’m busy. Stay here, take care of your mother and scrub the floor. That’s all you’re good for.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I swallowed them down. “But Brendon… I have something to tell you. A surprise—”

“I don’t care.” His voice was ice. He grabbed his coat. “I won’t be home tonight. Don’t wait for me. And don’t ever touch what doesn’t belong to you again.”

The door slammed.

I sank to my knees. My body was shaking with sobs. But the next day, I still went to the riverside restaurant.

It had always been my dream to dine by the Golden Bridge, with its lights shimmering across the water. Even if he didn’t come, I would go. Even if I was alone, I wanted to feel alive.

The hostess smiled gently when I arrived. “Right this way, ma’am. We have a VIP room prepared for you.”

The room had a balcony that overlooked the water. It was breathtaking. I ate quietly, convincing myself this was enough. That I could be content, even if it was just me.

And then I heard it.

A laugh. Familiar. From the balcony next to mine.

I froze.

Brendon.

My heart pounded as I edged closer, careful not to be seen.

And then another voice—light, feminine, unmistakable. Kyline. That doctor. Also his childhood friend… and lover. The one who ran away three years ago and Brendon promised me he would make her pay… yet this betrayal instead?

I pressed a trembling hand over my mouth.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Kyline asked softly. “It’s your anniversary, isn’t it?”

Brendon laughed. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll just get her something cheap. She won’t mind. Now that you’re here, I’ll divorce her. She was just convenient—I needed their business. You know I only married her so she wouldn’t dare harm you again.”

Kyline’s voice faltered. “I’m sorry about her mother…”

“Oh, come on,” Brendon said with a chuckle. “Even if you hadn’t been drunk that time, her mother would’ve ended up the same. She’s weak. They all are. Once I settle the billion-dollar account using her designs—since investors still trust her father’s name—I’ll take everything. Then I’ll pull the plug on her mother. And her brother? He’ll rot in jail. Once they’re gone, we can finally be together.”

My knees gave out. My vision blurred. I clamped my hand harder over my mouth to keep from screaming.

No. No, this couldn’t be real.

But it was.

I stumbled out of the restaurant, blinded by tears. My body shook as I ran, heart hammering so violently I thought it would explode.

Run. Just run.

I barely saw the headlights.

A screech. A blinding flash. Pain.

And then—darkness.