The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 35. A Present On Their Wedding Day.

Nicolette slumped on the bed immediately she got inside. Her heart pounded with pain and disbelief.

No, Alaric wouldn’t do that.

Still, the betrayal pierced her, making her blood curdle.

Violet was in the house, and Alaric had allowed it.

Clara had disrespected her with that question, yet Alaric had said nothing.

Her shoulders tensed as the reality of the night dawned on her. She wrapped her arms around herself, fresh humiliation racing through her.

Alaric was going to take Violet to bed—just a moment after kissing her, after... almost...

She shot to her feet, before she could be completely devoured by humiliation.

Why was she feeling like this?

She shouldn’t care what he decided to do!

It wasn’t her business!

Yet... she couldn’t shake off the pain... the anger, the shame that he had taken Violet to bed.

Clara’s question rang in her ears again, and her knees buckled with pain. It was going to happen over and over again.

Violet was going to live with them.

She placed a hand on her chest and paced around the room, hoping that all the emotions would dissolve and she would have peace—at least for the night.

Breathe.

Breathe.

And she did.

Slowly, the grip around her chest loosened. Slowly, her nerves became still.

She sighed heavily as she made her way back to the bed. She lay on it, covering herself with the thick duvet.

Don’t let them see your fear tomorrow.

Anger surged through her, replacing all her shaky emotions. Tomorrow would be different. Nobody would see her falter—especially Alaric.

With anger and fresh determination in her chest, Nicolette drifted to sleep.

---

The next day, she was woken up by a knock on her door. She stirred and yawned before getting off the bed to open it.

When she opened it, her eyes widened, clearing off the sleep in them. "Mr. Allens."

Alaric was standing in front of her room with a big white bag. "Can I come in?" he asked, his face brightening up with a smile.

Heat crept up her face as she stepped away from the door. "Sure."

He entered, his dominant aura oozing as he walked. He looked around the room, his eyes lingering on her unmade bed before turning to her.

"Hope you slept well?"

Her chest tightened at the softness of his tone, and her blush deepened. She licked her lips, twirling her hair unconsciously—until she noticed.

What are you doing, Nicolette?

She dropped her hand and cleared her throat. "Yes, I did."

She didn’t return the question, and for some reason, she could tell he was waiting for her to ask.

Hell no.

She didn’t want to hear how he spent his lovely night in the arms of another woman.

He seemed offended that she didn’t ask, his eyes gleaming with annoyance.

Good. Let him drown in the fact that she didn’t care.

"So what brings you here?" she asked confidently.

She wasn’t backing down for anybody today.

His jaw clenched as he extended the white bag. "For you."

A present on their wedding day?

Was this out of kindness? Or out of regret for last night?

She emptied the contents on the bed and was surprised to see a brand new phone and a credit card.

Why did he need the big bag?

He cleared his throat. "You complained about not finding your phone, and I noticed you haven’t had it with you. So I reconfigured your old phone into this."

So he noticed?

Her heart softened at the discovery.

"That credit card is loaded with money. You can use it anytime—there’s no limit," he continued, pride welling in his tone.

Nicolette turned to him. The softness in her heart had gotten to her face. "Thank you, Mr. Allens."

"It’s nothing. I’m just keeping my side of the deal. I don’t want to have to keep finding you."

Her stomach dropped at his tone, at the way annoyance creased his face.

Of course, this was no kind gesture—it was just a contract obligation. Shame snagged the delight in her chest, and before it became obvious, she channeled it into anger.

"Thank you, Mr. Allens. You’re the kindest," she said, her voice firm and cold.

Surprise flashed in Alaric’s face before he composed himself. "Very well then. I’ll see you at the wedding."

The way he said wedding, like it was a forbidden word not to be spoken, sent anger dancing through her veins.

She clenched her fists and forced a smile. "Sure, Mr. Allens."

He wanted to say something—she saw the hesitation in his eyes—but he changed his mind and left the room.

"Damn!" she groaned when she was alone. "You have to be angrier than that. No blush, no jokes," she told herself.

She walked to the bed and admired the card. It was a black card—beautiful, unlimited—and it made her happy.

There was so much she could do with the money. So much!

She picked up the phone and was about to check it out when there was another knock on the door.

"Good morning, ma’am," Anna said from the other side.

Nicolette stood up and opened the door. "Good morning."

Anna entered with a tray of food and a bright smile. "It’s your wedding day!" she cheered as she set the tray on the table. "The hairstylist and makeup artist will soon be here. You need to eat before then."

The urgency in Anna’s tone made Nicolette realize she hadn’t been taking the day as seriously as she should have.

Before she could say anything, Anna pulled her gently into the bathroom. "Let’s get you ready."

Anna prepared a bath for her. After the bath, she moved back to the room and ate her breakfast—it was an omelette with bacon, and a banana smoothie.

Just as Nicolette finished eating, her door opened and Suzie came in with a suitcase.

"Suzie!" Nicolette cheered, running into her arms.

"Oh dear," Suzie said, hugging her tightly.

Nicolette broke down in her best friend’s arms, her heart pounding with joy. Suzie comforted her, running a gentle hand down her back.

"Easy now," Suzie said with a soft smile. "A bride doesn’t cry on her wedding day—it causes rain. You don’t want your guests drenched on this beautiful day."

Nicolette chuckled through her tears as she straightened up. "I think I don’t mind rain pouring on some guests."

Suzie laughed, touching Nicolette’s face. "I think I know who those guests are. I already met two."

They laughed together before Suzie gestured to the suitcase. "I brought your dresses."

Nicolette nodded with gratitude. "Thank you, my love." She turned to Anna. "This is Anna. Anna, this is Suzie, my best friend."

"And maid of honor," Suzie added, shaking Anna’s hand.

Anna flushed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Nice to meet you, ma’am."

"So what do we do now?" Suzie asked, her eyes darting around.

"We’re waiting for the stylists," Anna replied.

"Where’s Walt?" Nicolette asked.

"He’s with Mr. Allens and one nice gentleman," Suzie answered as she sat on the bed. "Oh, this is soft!"

Nicolette laughed, the laughter easing the tension that was suddenly building in her chest.

It was happening!

Everybody would be here, except her family.

Before she could give in to the feeling, another knock sounded on the door and Anna answered it.

The stylists came in, and the surge of excitement rushed through Nicolette, melting her sadness. Two hours later, she was ready. Her face had been made up, her hair had been styled.

And looking at herself in the mirror, she looked breathtaking.

"You look... so beautiful," Suzie said, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Don’t make me cry," Nicolette said, swallowing her tears.

The door opened sharply, and Stelle walked in, interrupting the moment.

"Good morning!" she cheered, setting a clothes bag on the bed. "Your wedding gown, ma’am."

Nicolette’s heart fluttered with happiness as she moved to the dress. She opened the bag and gasped.

It was a stunning white gown, embroidered with sparkling diamonds, and she could tell it would fit perfectly.

"Are you ready?" Suzie asked softly from behind her.

Nicolette nodded, overwhelmed with emotion. Suzie took out the dress and helped her into it.

When Nicolette walked to the mirror, she was taken aback by the beauty staring back at her.

She felt beautiful, ravishing—until someone gasped behind her.

"What?" She turned sharply, and her heart dropped at the look on Suzie, Anna, and Stelle’s faces.

"Don’t panic, but there’s a huge stain on the dress," Suzie said, her own voice shaking with panic.

"Oh," Nicolette gasped.

"Don’t worry, ma’am," Stelle said, her voice shaky too. "I have one more gown ready for you."

Despite hearing that, the panic didn’t leave Nicolette’s heart. She wanted to see what they saw, so she turned—and her panic surged.

There was a huge ring of red stain at the bottom of her dress.

Was it wine... or blood?

Before she got her answer, Stelle returned with another bag—her eyes already filled with tears.

"What?" Suzie asked, moving quickly to her. She snatched the bag and opened it. A gasp escaped her mouth as her eyes widened. "It’s shredded!"

Nicolette froze.

Emotions raced through her.

Only one person would be this bold to sabotage her wedding dresses. Only one name came to mind—Violet!

The emotions tightened her chest and Nicolette broke down in tears.