Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire-Chapter 322: Wasn’t Over

"This is so frustrating!" Carla fumed, pacing back and forth in her luxurious dressing room. It had been days since her father revealed what happened to Rain and Alexander, and her anger boiled over.

"She should have been the one in a coma, not him!" she hissed bitterly.

Despite the success of her recent movie and the whirlwind of mall tours she had been attending, Carla felt hollow. The cheerful facade she presented to her fans and the media was nothing more than a mask to hide the turmoil within her. Fame and a soaring career weren’t enough to fill the void.

Her eyes welled up as she scrolled through the photo gallery on her phone, pausing at pictures of Alexander. Most were candid shots she had taken during their time together years ago... him reading, staring out a window, or simply lost in thought.

She’d often been the energetic one, always initiating their plans and giving more in the relationship. Yet, those moments, however one-sided, had brought her genuine happiness.

Alexander wasn’t the overly romantic type, but he was steadfast and supportive. He treated her with kindness and respect, even after learning her secrets, the ones that could have made anyone else scorn her. But not him. He never looked down on her. Instead, he uplifted her, making her feel seen and valued.

Tears finally spilled over as Carla whispered, "Why did it have to be you, Alexander? Why not that damn bitch!?" Her voice cracked, heavy with regret and longing.

Carla sat on her bed, her chest tightening as her emotions spiraled out of control. The sudden ring of her phone broke the silence, the screen displaying an unfamiliar number. Her expression darkened instantly as she answered, gripping the device tightly.

"This isn’t what we agreed on!" she snapped, her voice laced with fury. "You promised that if I did what you wanted, Alexander would be mine! But look at what’s happened. He’s still tied to that damn bitch and now he’s in a coma!" Her anger erupted, her voice rising as the veins on her temple became visible.

A cold, measured voice responded on the other end. "This is something beyond my control, Carla. Michael made a mess of things. He assured me he would ensure their divorce, but plans went awry. Still, this isn’t over. Keep playing your role, and I promise you, Alexander will be yours, even if it takes him being in a coma. Rain will be removed from the picture for good."

The words hung in the air, unsettling and cruel. Carla’s grip on her phone tightened as she remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. Without another word, she ended the call, her mind swirling with conflicted emotions.

As the screen went dark, she threw the phone onto her bed and buried her face in her hands. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into her heart, questioning how far she was willing to go for something that seemed increasingly out of reach.

"This won’t do," Carla muttered under her breath. She quickly dressed, slipping on a cap, sunglasses, and a mask to conceal her identity before leaving her apartment. Her destination was clear... Eric’s office.

If anyone could give her answers about Alexander’s condition, it would be Eric. She was certain he visited the hospital regularly and was in close coordination with Alexander’s wife, Rain. Carla had wanted to visit the hospital herself, but her father had firmly advised against it, insisting it wasn’t the right time.

Eric’s staff already knew her well. She had visited him frequently since returning to the city, and they were used to her presence. Many of them recognized her as a close friend, and those who worked closely with Eric were aware of how intertwined their families were.

"Ma’am, Attorney Eric isn’t here yet, but you’re welcome to wait in his office. He should be back soon," his secretary informed Carla when she arrived.

Carla checked her watch. "Attorney Crawford’s meeting will finish in a few minutes," the secretary added, giving her an encouraging smile.

Carla nodded, allowing herself to be escorted into the office. She settled in with her favorite coffee but noticed the secretary lingering. Turning to her with a polite smile, Carla asked, "Is there something you need?"

The secretary hesitated before finally speaking. "Uhm, Miss Carla... would it be alright if I got your autograph on my nephew’s shirt? He’s a big fan of yours and loved your latest movie. I brought his favorite shirt with me. Lately, Attorney Crawford’s been so busy I felt too shy to ask him to relay the request."

Carla chuckled and nodded warmly. "Of course! Hand me the shirt, and I’ll sign it now. Next time, why don’t you bring your nephew along? We can schedule it during one of my visits to Eric’s office, and we can take a photo together," she offered with a wink.

The secretary lit up. "Oh, thank you, Miss Carla!" she exclaimed, hurrying out to fetch the shirt.

When the secretary returned, Carla walked over to Eric’s desk to sign the shirt. She grabbed a marker from the desk but frowned when it didn’t work.

"No ink," she murmured, shaking the marker.

"I’ll get you another one!" the secretary said quickly, rushing out of the office before Carla could stop her.

Carla sighed and shook her head. Knowing Eric, she assumed he had extra pens and markers in his desk drawers. She began opening them one by one, searching for a working pen.

Her search halted abruptly when she opened the last drawer. There, among some neatly stacked papers, was a document stamped and sealed with Alexander’s signature.

"What’s this?" she whispered, her heart racing as she pulled it out for a closer look.

Her eyes scanned the document, and her breath caught. It was an agreement between Alexander and Rain. A four-month contract.

Carla quickly stuffed the document into her bag, her mind reeling. Just as she finished zipping her bag, the secretary returned with a fresh marker. Carla immediately signed the shirt, forcing a smile.

"A contract marriage?" she murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief and intrigue.

A sly smile began to form on her lips, a flicker of hope sparking within her. She couldn’t explain it, but something about this discovery felt like a turning point... a chance to tip the scales in her favor.

Whatever this contract represented, she had a feeling it could become a powerful tool in the near future, one she could use to her advantage when the moment was right. She didn’t know exactly how she would use this yet, but one thing was certain: this wasn’t over... not by a long shot.