Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 48: Clauses and lost causes

Clara's heart began to race as she reread the words, her mind refusing to believe what was in front of her. She felt dizzy, lightheaded, as the reality of what she had signed up for began to sink in.

Clara sat frozen in her chair, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the contract. The ornate room around her the fine leather-bound books on the shelves, the flickering fireplace casting a warm glow, the heavy drapes that blocked out the night-felt like a prison now. Her heart raced in her chest, the walls of the Caldwell mansion suddenly closing in on her.

She stared at the contract, her eyes scanning the clause again, unable to believe what she was reading. It was right there, written in the kind of cold, detached legal language that made it feel even more horrifying. It wasn't just about the engagement. There was a clause that obligated her to sleep with Mr. Caldwell. Not only that, it stated that all her children were supposed to be biologically his, even though his son would be the one to register them.

She looked up, her face pale, her mind racing to make sense of what was happening. Her father, sitting next to her, seemed unbothered, as if this was just another business deal. Mr. Caldwell sat across from her, his expression calm, calculating, as though this was all part of some grand, well-rehearsed plan. The lawyer, a quiet man in a sharp suit, tapped his pen on the table, waiting for her to sign.

Clara swallowed hard, her throat dry. "What... what is this?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, trembling as she pointed to the clause. "This... this can't be right."

Mr. Caldwell leaned forward, his smile polite but his eyes cold. "I assure you, Clara, everything in this contract is perfectly legal. You're marrying into one of the most powerful families in the country. With that privilege comes responsibility." Her heart pounded in her ears as she looked over at her father, hoping-praying that he would say something, that he would protect her from this. But Richard only stared back at her with that same look of disdain he had shown her ever since he found out she was pregnant. He wasn't here to save her. He was here to ensure the deal went through.

"Dad..." Clara's voice broke, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "You... you can't let this happen."

Clara's breath caught in her throat as she stared down at the contract, the weight of the words suffocating her. The lavish dinner, the proposal, the ring-it was all part of a carefully crafted trap, and she had walked right into it. Her eyes flicked from the contract to Mr. Caldwell, whose calm, composed demeanor remained unsettling, and then to her father, who sat across the room, cold and indifferent.

"It doesn't make sense," Clara said, her voice trembling. "Why would I marry Henry if this contract... if I'm obligated to sleep with you? How does that even work?"

Mr. Caldwell leaned back in his chair, his expression unbothered, as if they were discussing a business transaction. "It's quite simple. After my daughter, Elena, was born, I discovered that my first wife had hidden certain clauses in our marriage contract. They were... costly clauses, let's say. Hefty fines if I were to remarry or have children with another woman. It was her way of ensuring that her position remained secure, even after our separation."

Clara's heart pounded, her stomach churning at the casual way he spoke about it. He continued, "Now, I'm still a man, Clara. I have needs, and I want more children. But legally, I can't without losing millions of dollars. So, I made this arrangement. You marry Henry..."

Clara's voice broke as the reality hit her like a ton of bricks. "And I become your mistress."

Mr. Caldwell didn't flinch. "Call it whatever you want. The fact remains that Henry, as you might already be aware, has little interest in you. You've seen the situation between him and Elena. It's not exactly a secret, though we keep it out of the media. So, I doubt he'll be joining you in your bed. That's where I come in."

Tears blurred Clara's vision, and she looked desperately at her father, praying that somehow this was all a misunderstanding, that he would defend her, protect her from this nightmare. "Did you know?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Did you know this all along? You planned this?"

Richard's face remained stone cold. He didn't flinch, didn't soften. "Sign it," he said, his voice low and firm.

Clara felt the ground slipping beneath her. The walls were closing in, and there was no way out. Her father, the man she had trusted, had sold her to the Caldwells for his own gain, for a deal that would save their family from ruin. He didn't care what it cost her.

Mr. Caldwell stood and moved closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. His touch made Clara's skin crawl, but she didn't move. She felt frozen, helpless. "Trust me," he said, his voice smooth, almost coaxing. "You're not going to get another chance in life like this. Marrying into a family like ours... it's the best thing that could happen to you. You and your father aren't really in a position to choose."

Clara felt the bile rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down, trying to hold herself together.

"And besides," Mr. Caldwell added, his hand trailing down her arm, "I'll make sure you enjoy every bit of this deal. You won't regret it."

Her tears spilled over, running down her cheeks as the crushing reality settled in. There was no choice. If she refused, her father would be ruined, and she would be left with nothing. But if she agreed... she would lose herself completely. Either way, her future felt bleak and terrifying.

With trembling hands, Clara picked up the pen.

Clara hesitated, the pen heavy in her hand as she stared down at the contract in front of her. For a fleeting moment, her mind drifted to Adrian-the stolen moments they had shared, the passion that had felt so real and intense. She remembered the way he had once saved her at that party, pulling her out of a situation that felt equally suffocating. She had yearned for him ever since, hoping he would swoop in and rescue her again.

But then her gaze shifted to her father, standing across the room with a stony expression. His words echoed in her mind: Adrian isn't coming back. He has no interest in you or that child.

Her heart clenched at the thought. Of course Adrian didn't care. He was a billionaire, living his life in Europe, probably already moving on without a second thought about her. He had his wealth, his reputation, his freedom. Why would he risk everything for the lovechild of a forbidden affair with his teenage niece?

The bitter truth sank deeper. Adrian wasn't the fairytale hero she had hoped for. He wasn't going to save her, and she had to stop dreaming that he would. The fantasy of him rushing in, taking her away from all this, was just that a fantasy. Clara's eyes flickered to Mr. Caldwell, who stood patiently, waiting for her to make her choice. His words hung in the air, cold but true: You won't get a better chance.

And he was right. There would be no other opportunity to secure a future like this. Despite how twisted it all was, despite the horror of what she was signing up for, she had no other option. She couldn't afford to be idealistic or hold onto impossible dreams. Her father's future depended on her. Her own survival depended on this deal.

With a shaky breath, Clara steeled herself. She blinked away the tears that blurred her vision and brought the pen to the paper. Her hand hovered for a moment, the weight of the decision suffocating her. But then, with a single stroke, she signed her name.

It was done.

A hollow feeling settled in her chest as she placed the pen down, knowing that she had just signed away her freedom, her body, her life.