After the Contract Marriage, I Drove My Brother-Spoiled Husband Crazy Chapter 1

I was known in Los Angeles as the ultimate "sister-girl," and he was the notorious "brother-boy." For the sake of our families' interests, we entered into a strategic marriage. On our wedding night, I laid down three ground rules: separate rooms, live our own lives, and no interference. Yet, right in front of me, he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes deep with intent.

"Not allowed, wifey."

My pupils dilated wildly; I thought I had stumbled upon a wolf in sheep's clothing. Instead, he leaned into my ear, his voice a wronged and resentful whisper: "My brother said if you don't fall in love with me, he'll cut off my allowance."

* * *

My wedding to Leonard Hadley was hailed as the best commercial alliance of the year in Los Angeles.

The Swift and Hadley families had been locked in a bitter feud since before I could remember—the kind of rivalry where coffee mugs flew across boardrooms.

Now, these two powerhouses were uniting through marriage.

I, Lila Swift, the younger daughter of the Swift family, was a professional slacker, content to be supported by my older sister, Olivia.

He, Leonard Hadley, the second son of the Hadley family, was an enigmatic figure living under the formidable shadow of his older brother, Arthur Hadley.

I was known in our circles as a devoted "sister-girl," with Olivia, the woman who single-handedly took a company public, setting my only KPI as "just be happy."

Leonard, on the other hand, was rumored to be the ultimate "brother-boy," with his brother Arthur supposedly handling everything for him. They even said if Leonard sneezed, Arthur would send someone to check the humidity levels.

To outsiders, our union was merely a strategic exchange of resources between two giant corporations, using their "unremarkable" offspring.

I didn't care; my life goal was to just coast by.

Leonard seemed equally unfazed. They said he didn't even lift an eyelid when he signed the marriage certificate.

At the wedding, our forced smiles ached my cheeks. Finally, on our wedding night, I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto the enormous matrimonial bed, feeling my soul ascend.

Leonard walked in, his suit impeccable, his face still bearing that aloof "don't mess with me, my brother is terrifying" expression.

I cleared my throat and pulled out the pre-prepared post-nuptial agreement.

"Leonard, let's be upfront."

I slapped the agreement on the nightstand: "First, separate rooms. This mansion has plenty."

"Second, independent finances. We'll live our own lives, no meddling. For appearances, we'll act like a loving couple when necessary, mostly for our families."

"Third, and most importantly, don't fall in love with me. It won't end well."

Having laid down the law, I struck what I thought was a cool and indifferent pose, waiting for him to gratefully sign.

Leonard listened in silence, not bothering to look at the agreement.

He just looked at me, his handsome, almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly, and then he smiled.

That smile, how should I put it? Three parts amusement, seven parts absolute certainty.

My heart skipped a beat.

Something was off.

This wasn't the script.

Shouldn't he be sighing in relief and saying, "Exactly what I wanted"?

The next second, right in front of me, he slowly, button by button, undid his shirt.

His muscular chest and chiseled abs were faintly visible under the crystal chandelier.

A wave of pure pheromones washed over me.

I froze, alarm bells blaring in my head.

Oh God! Was this 'brother-boy' just an act? Is he actually a cunning wolf in sheep's clothing? Is a business marriage really a package deal that includes losing my virginity? Olivia! Save me!

He stepped closer, his tall frame completely engulfing me.

I swallowed hard, my body instinctively shrinking back.

"You... what do you want? I'm warning you, forced love doesn't last!"

He leaned over, his hands bracing on either side of my body, trapping me between the headboard and him.

His warm breath tickled my ear.

"Not allowed, wifey."

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of seduction.

My mind went blank, my pupils dilating wildly.

This is it! My virtue is doomed tonight! How am I going to explain this to Olivia?

Just as I was about to scream and perhaps grab the bedside lamp to physically "enlighten" him, he leaned in closer, his voice a low, injured whisper meant only for me:

"My brother said if you don't fall in love with me, he'll cut off my allowance."

Me: "?"

I slowly formed a question mark in my mind.

What the hell?

Did I just imagine that?

Seeing my bewildered expression, he sighed, pulled out his phone from his inner jacket pocket, and showed me a chat log.

The contact was saved as [My Only Bro].

The latest message clearly read:

[You have three months to make your wife, Lila, fall head over heels for you. Fail, and you can work for the rest of your life to earn money for your sports cars and game skins.]

I: "..."

Leonard put away his phone, looking utterly devastated: "So, wifey, for the sake of my sports cars and skins, just make a small sacrifice and fall in love with me."

I looked at his face, handsome enough to make gods and men alike swoon, and his expression of tragic heroism, as if sacrificing everything for his KPI.

For a moment, I didn't know whether to mock his romantic cluelessness or pity him for having such a devilish brother.

This marriage was getting weirder by the minute.