The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 62. Lost Before He Was Hers.

Don’t believe him.

Call his bluff.

"Ma’am, are you alright?"

Nicolette turned to face the lady with the brown hair. "I am," she said, forcing a smile. Her grip on her phone tightened as she adjusted her gown.

She was trying so hard not to pay attention to the panic brewing inside her.

Ronald wouldn’t do it.

He knew how important Annica’s job had been. How much her having credits for her work mattered. That was the only reason Nicolette had held back from pushing her mother’s art.

She had been looking for the money, the right revenue stream to support it, when she finally decided to bring the drawings to life.

Ronald knew that too.

He knew how important Annica’s art was to her before her death.

He wouldn’t do it.

The thought settled inside her, calming her nerves. She exhaled, then turned to her reflection.

"We’re all done here, ma’am," the lady with box braids said as she began to pack up their workstation.

"Thank you guys so much," Nicolette said, smiling.

"You’re welcome," they replied in unison.

A few moments later, they finished up. They drew the curtain shut and left the room.

Left alone in the dim room, Nicolette caught both her reflection and her shadow in the mirror, and her stomach twisted.

She was trying hard not to think about her father’s threat, but it lurked at the back of her mind.

"Fucking Robert," she muttered.

She couldn’t believe he had given Ronald the drawings.

With a sigh, she decided to respond to her father.

She typed: You won’t do that. You know how important those sketches are to her.

Ronald responded almost instantly: Don’t try me, Nic. I don’t share your sentimental bullshit. I have another wife. You don’t have another mother. 6 p.m. tomorrow or kiss them goodbye.

Nicolette’s chest tightened and she gasped.

Why would he say that?

She crossed to the bed, sinking into it, trying to steady the knots in her stomach. She placed one hand over her mouth and the other on her chest.

Just breathe. He can’t get to you.

Don’t let him.

The knots rose to her chest, then to her throat. She swallowed hard, sending them back down.

She counted to ten, waiting for her nerves to settle. A few minutes later, she felt better.

She exhaled and left the room. In the hotel corridor, a bodyguard was waiting for her.

"All set, ma’am?" he asked, his voice deep and solid as his muscles.

"Yes," she replied.

He led the way to the elevator and up to the fourth floor. When the doors opened, Nicolette was blown away by the decor.

It was the restaurant, but it had been decorated like the Titanic. There was a grand staircase with ornate woodwork and iron railings.

The tables were solid wood, the chairs were made of velvet. There was something vintage about the silverware, something classic.

Ropes, maps, old compasses, were scattered around the space. Even the waiters dressed in tuxedo uniforms to match the period.

Nicolette smiled as she approached Alaric. There was music playing softly in the background. The ambience felt just right.

"Gorgeous," Alaric said, leaning in to kiss her.

They were the only ones in the room aside from the waiters and a couple of bodyguards positioned at the entrance. Even so, Nicolette felt shy at the public display of affection.

"Milady," he said, pulling out her chair.

"Thank you, good sir," she replied with a laugh as she sat down.

Alaric poured champagne into a glass and handed it to her.

"To us." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"To us." She clinked her glass with his and took a sip. The rich taste of champagne calmed her nerves.

"So," Alaric leaned forward. "Not that it matters, but there are photographers around. Capturing our moment."

She should’ve been annoyed by that. But she wasn’t. Not when his blue eyes burned only for her. Not when his lips had already memorized every inch of her insides.

"It doesn’t matter," she said, sipping again.

"It doesn’t matter to me either. As long as you’re here with me," he replied warmly.

She chuckled, her cheeks burning from just staring into those blue eyes. Who would have thought both of them could be here, right now?

Alaric reached across the table, brushing his hand over hers. His touch sent emotions racing inside her. "Tell me about you. Not what everyone else knows. The real you."

Was this it?

Was she about to open up to Alaric?

Before she could answer, a woman appeared at their table.

"Glad to see you again."

Nicolette looked at her.

She had red hair, and a tiny voice that made Nicolette clench her jaw in silence. The top she had on was too tight, like she had purposely chosen a smaller size.

It wasn’t even the cleavage on display that irritated Nicolette. It was the way the woman was staring at Alaric. Like she wanted to devour him.

And what did she mean by again?

"Alexa," Alaric groaned. All the excitement in his eyes vanished.

Alexa turned to Nicolette with a sugary smile. "Nice to meet you."

Nicolette returned the smile politely. "And you—"

"I used to date this gentleman," Alexa said, cutting in as she pulled out a chair.

"You can’t join us," Alaric called out, but it was too late.

Alexa was already seated.

Anger flared inside Nicolette.

How many more women did she have to face to have Alaric’s full attention?

He was rich and handsome—but at this point? These surprise women were becoming exhausting.

"You need to leave, Alexa," Alaric said, clearly irritated. "You’re interrupting a private moment with my wife."

There was so much possessiveness in his tone as he said wife, so much that it sent a warm jolt through Nicolette.

She was his wife.

Her heart swelled with pride.

Alexa turned slowly to face Nicolette and from the expression on her face, she had heard the tone too.

Shock and annoyance flickered in her eyes, before it was quickly masked with a fake smile.

She turned to Alaric and rubbed his arm. "Congratulations. I didn’t think you would settle down. Guess I wasn’t the one, right?"

Alaric pulled away from her touch but said nothing.

Alexa shifted uncomfortably, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Nicolette spotted a ring on her middle finger.

If Alexa was engaged then why was she here flirting?

"Congratulations," Alexa repeated, her mouth twitching as she stood. "This dinner is on the house. Enjoy yourselves."

On the house? Was this her hotel?

Did Alaric really bring her to his ex’s hotel?

Alaric’s brow furrowed. "Thank you Alexa, but we can pay for our own meal."

Alexa didn’t even seem fazed by Alaric’s annoyance. It was like she was used to it.

She turned to leave but paused.

"I was going to give this to you later, but I think now’s the right time."

Alaric raised a brow and so did Nicolette.

Alexa pulled a small item from her pocket and handed it to him.

Nicolette didn’t see what it was, but she heard his gasp.

What was that?

"You... how..." Alaric trailed off, his annoyance dissolved.

Alexa sat back down on the chair, pride lighting up her face. "I kept it all these years."

Alaric’s eyes softened as he brought the item closer to his chest.

It was a wristwatch.

"Thank you," Alaric said softly, holding the watch as if it meant everything.

Nicolette’s stomach twisted. How could Alexa soften him like this?

When Alaric clutched the watch and bowed his head, fear gripped Nicolette.

What did it mean to him?

"I knew you would love it. Thought it might remind you of old times," Alexa said, leaning closer. She rested her hand on his arm, and this time, he didn’t pull away.

Pain swirled in Nicolette’s stomach.

She had lost him.

He was gone even before he became hers.

Before the pain would consume her totally, Nicolette shot to her feet. "Excuse me," she said, turning and walking away quickly.

She wandered the corridor until she found the women’s restroom. Once inside, she braced herself against the sink.

"Fuck!" she groaned.

How long was she going to keep doing this?

Regret gnawed at her.

It wasn’t real.

It never had been. She should have known that before she gave herself to him.

The door opened behind her, and Nicolette quickly straightened up.

"The wife," Alexa’s voice drawled.

Nicolette turned to face her.

"I could have sworn Alaric said he wasn’t settling down," Alexa said, her tone high and mocking.

"Well," Nicolette replied, keeping her voice steady, "he changed his mind—as you can see."

Alexa laughed, the sound echoing in the room. "I don’t think he did."

Nicolette’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"That gift," Alexa said, stepping closer. Her eyes shining with mischief. "I gave it to him right after we finished fucking."

Nicolette’s chest burned, pain shot through her veins.

"He probably remembered everything," Alexa went on. "The way my pussy burned against his big, golden dick. The way his tongue sent me to heaven."

Nicolette clenched her fist trying to shut off the memory. Alexa wasn’t lying; Alaric’s dick was huge and golden.

And yes, his tongue could send anybody to heaven.

"But," Alexa smirked, "I don’t have to paint the full picture. You already know all that, don’t you?"

Pain and rage collided in Nicolette’s chest. They surged through her and she lunged at Alexa.

"Stay away from my man!"

Alexa seemed to have anticipated the move. She didn’t even flinch, instead she met Nicolette’s anger with her own.

"Come on, don’t be naive. You know how that dick tastes. Could you leave it?"

Nicolette’s stomach knotted.

Alexa was right.

She knew exactly what it felt like, how he made her feel. And she couldn’t just leave it.

That was why she was like this in the first place—fighting over a dick that was only hers for a year.

Shame and regret flooded her.

"Excuse me," she said, pushing past Alexa.

Her heart pounded. Her vision blurred as she ran out of the restaurant.

She had lost Alaric even before he truly became hers.