Hidden Behind the Billionaire's Signature

Chapter 3: The Planning

A sharp knock at 6:00 a.m. shattered the silence of my hotel room. I didn't even have to look through the peephole to know who it was. Victor stood there, flanked by his bodyguards.

They were all dressed in sharp, midnight-black suits, looking less like businessmen and more like they were attending a funeral—possibly mine.

“How was your night?” Victor asked, stepping into the room.

“Great,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Easily the worst twenty-four hours of my life. Thanks for that.”

Victor went quiet, his eyes searching mine as he moved into my personal space. “Elena, I’m sorry. For everything. The way I brought you here… it wasn't my intention to scare you. I take full responsibility.

I just... I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I’m doing my best to save you from a situation I helped create. I know I’m the villain in your story right now.”

He sighed, looking weary. “Can you just try to understand me for once? I’m tired of being the bad guy.”

“Fine,” I said, locking my gaze onto his. “If you want me to understand, then answer my damn questions. Why am I here? Why did you come all the way from LA to New York for me? Why was I kidnapped like a common criminal? What are your actual intentions, Victor? We’ve been together for over a decade.”

The questions poured out of me, fueled by a night of pacing and half-formed plans.

“Is that what you want? Answers?” Victor asked.

“I need them,” I said, my voice dropping to a low, steady hum.

“Elena, you’re here because my life is being dismantled by my ex-wife.”

I blinked, my face going cold. “You’re married?”

“Divorced,” he corrected quickly. “Her name is Celeste Stone.”

“And? What does your divorce have to do with me?”

“Everything,” Victor said, pacing the room. “She’s telling the world I cheated—which I never did. As a celebrity, my life is under a microscope. I’m always working, always travelling. She mistook my absence for infidelity. Now, she’s trying to burn my empire to the ground out of spite.”

I scoffed. “So go see a therapist, Victor. Or a lawyer. Why involve me?”

“Because I need someone I can trust. Someone who can take a hit and stay in character. For ten years, Elena, you’ve never said a bad word about me. You never sold my secrets or gossiped to the press, even after how I treated you. Your type is rare.”

A small, hollow smile touched his lips. He was playing me, and he knew I knew it.

“So,” I summarised, “you want me to be your 'rebound' wife? A shield to protect your reputation from the rumours?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I need. It’s a contract, Elena. You sign, you play the part for a set amount of time, and when it’s over, you walk away with ten million dollars.”

The number hung in the air, heavy and tempting.

“What about Julian?” I asked. “He’s my husband. How do you think he’s going to react to his wife playing house with his brother?”

“Julian is my half-brother,” Victor said dismissively. “I’ve known him longer than you have. I know how to handle him. Get some rest. Julian will be here tomorrow morning, and it’s going to be a long day.”

He turned and left the room before I could say another word.

As soon as the door clicked shut, my phone buzzed. Riley.

“Elena, how are you holding up?”

“If I told you I was doing great, would you believe me?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“Elena, listen to me. I have news. Real news.” Riley’s voice was sharp, urgent. “Do you really think Victor came all the way to New York for a 'fake wife'? He’s using you, girl. He’s trying to create a war between you and Julian so he can get what he really wants.”

“Elaborate,” I demanded.

“I just dug up some articles on Celeste Stone. They didn’t divorce because of cheating, Elena. They divorced because they couldn't conceive. Victor wanted an heir, and she couldn't give him one.

He filed for divorce, and now she’s out for blood.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “You think... he wants to turn me into a baby factory?”

“Think about it! Why hasn't he spoken to you in ten years? Suddenly he needs a ‘trustworthy’ wife? He’s looking for a legacy, and he thinks he can buy yours.”

The pieces clicked into place. Victor didn't want a partner; he wanted a silent, obedient vessel for the Stone name. He wanted a contract that bound me to him in the most permanent way possible.

I gripped the phone, a new kind of fire burning in my chest. “If that’s the game he wants to play, Riley... I’m going to play along. I want to see exactly how much this 'legacy' is worth to him.”

I wasn't just collateral anymore. I was the one holding the match.