THE WHEELCHAIR BILLIONAIRE'S WIFE CHAPTER ONE "Tell me you're joking." Victoria Bennett's voice rang through the dining room. Nobody answered. Her father sat at the head of the long dining table, his expression unusually serious. Beside him, Margaret Bennett carefully placed her teacup on its saucer. Charlotte, who had been quietly eating her breakfast, looked up. She had never seen her sister look so disturbed over a family announcement. "What is going on?" Charlotte asked. Victoria turned towards their father, ignoring her question. "You expect me to marry a complete stranger?" Richard Bennett sighed. "He's not just anyone, Victoria. He's Alexander Sterling." That name changed something in the room. Even Charlotte recognised it. Alexander Sterling was one of the wealthiest businessmen in Britain. His family owned hotels, luxury properties and several international companies. His name appeared regularly in business magazines, and his reputation was almost impossible to ignore. But there was something else people talked about. Something Charlotte had heard whispered more than once. Alexander Sterling had been involved in a terrible accident. And he had not walked since. Victoria pushed her chair backwards. "Absolutely not." "Victoria," her mother warned. "No, Mum. You cannot expect me to do this." Richard's jaw tightened. "The Sterling family has agreed to this arrangement. It will secure our business partnership and solve several financial problems we have been facing." Victoria stared at him. "So you want to exchange your daughter for a business deal?" "Watch your words." Charlotte stopped eating. She had known the family business was struggling. She had overheard enough conversations to understand that things were not going well. But marriage? She had never imagined her father would go that far. Victoria picked up her phone and handbag. "I don't care how much money he has. I'm not marrying a man who cannot even walk." "Victoria!" Margaret exclaimed. "What? Am I supposed to pretend I'm happy about it?" Charlotte lowered her eyes. She knew her sister well enough to understand that once Victoria made up her mind, changing it was almost impossible. Richard stood. "Sit down." "I'm leaving." "Then perhaps you should understand what your decision will cost this family." Victoria paused at the doorway. For a moment, something uncertain crossed her face. Then she walked out. The sound of her heels disappeared down the hallway. Silence settled over the dining room. Charlotte slowly placed her spoon beside her plate. "Dad?" Richard didn't look at her. "Not now, Charlotte." "But what happens to the agreement?" Her mother exchanged a glance with her father. It was brief. Almost unnoticeable. But Charlotte caught it. And suddenly, she wished she hadn't asked. --- An hour later, Charlotte was called into her father's study. She found both her parents waiting. Her father's laptop was open on the desk, and several documents were spread across the polished wooden surface. "Come in," he said. Charlotte stepped inside. "Is something wrong?" "Sit down." She obeyed. Margaret sat on the sofa, twisting the ring on her finger. Charlotte looked at the documents. "What's all this?" Richard closed the laptop. "We have a problem." Charlotte swallowed. "With the business?" "Among other things." He leaned back in his chair. "The Sterling family has made it clear that they will not withdraw from the arrangement. They expect a Bennett daughter to marry Alexander." Charlotte frowned. "But Victoria has refused." "Yes." "Then what happens?" Her father looked directly at her. For the first time that morning, Charlotte felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "That's why we called you." She glanced at her mother. Margaret looked away. Charlotte's fingers tightened around the armrests of her chair. "Why?" Richard took a slow breath. "Because Victoria is no longer an option." Charlotte stared at him. She didn't understand. Or perhaps she understood, but her mind refused to accept it. "What does that have to do with me?" Her father pushed a document across the desk. Charlotte looked down. At the top of the page were two names. ALEXANDER STERLING CHARLOTTE BENNETT Her breath caught. She looked up slowly. "Dad..." Richard's expression remained firm. "Your sister has made her decision. Now, you must make yours." Charlotte stared at the document. Then she looked at her mother, waiting for her to say something. Anything. But Margaret remained silent. And in that moment, Charlotte realised something terrible. They weren't asking her to attend a meeting. They weren't asking her to help the family. They were preparing to give her away. "You're going to marry Alexander Sterling," her father announced. Charlotte's lips parted, but no words came out. She had never met the man. She didn't know what he was like. She didn't even know whether he wanted to marry her. Yet her future had apparently already been decided. Then her father added one final sentence. "Your wedding will take place in three weeks." Charlotte looked at the document again. Three weeks. That was all the time she had before becoming the wife of a stranger. And somewhere across London, Alexander Sterling had no idea that the woman he was supposed to marry had just been changed

"Cancel it." Alexander Sterling didn't bother looking up from the documents on his desk. Across from him, James Whitmore, his personal assistant, hesitated. "Sir, the meeting has already been confirmed." "Then cancel it." James nodded, making a note on his tablet. "Anything else?" Alexander finally raised his eyes. "Do I need to repeat myself every morning?" "No, sir." "Then why are you still standing there?" James immediately turned towards the door. He had worked for Alexander for almost six years, and yet he still hadn't grown accustomed to his employer's temper. Alexander Sterling wasn't a man who enjoyed unnecessary conversations. He disliked excuses, hated incompetence and had very little patience for people who wasted his time. Before the accident, he had been known as one of the youngest and most aggressive businessmen in London. He built his empire through determination, intelligence and an almost frightening ability to recognise opportunities before anyone else. Then one evening changed everything. An accident had left him unable to walk. Months of hospital visits, medical examinations and rehabilitation had followed. His doctors had refused to make promises about his recovery. There was a possibility of improvement. There was also the possibility that he might never regain the ability to walk independently. Alexander hated uncertainty. Especially when it concerned his own body. He shifted slightly in his wheelchair and glanced towards the large windows overlooking the estate. "James." His assistant stopped. "Yes, sir?" "Where is the report from the hospital?" "On your desk. The specialist sent it this morning." Alexander picked up the envelope. He already knew what it would contain. More explanations. More medical terms. And another reminder that nobody could tell him what the future held. He dropped it onto the desk without opening it. "Anything else?" James cleared his throat. "Your father called." Alexander's expression changed. "What did he want?" "He would like you to attend dinner at the family estate this evening." "Tell him I'm busy." "He said it's important." "Everything is important to my father when he wants something." James remained silent. Alexander returned his attention to the documents. "Is that all?" "There's also the matter of your engagement." His fingers stopped moving. "What engagement?" James looked slightly uncomfortable. "The arrangement with the Bennett family, sir." Alexander leaned back. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he let out a humourless breath. "Right. That." He had almost forgotten about it. Not because the arrangement mattered to him, but because he had never considered marriage something worth discussing. His father had insisted that the alliance would strengthen their business interests. The Bennett family needed financial support, and the Sterling family wanted a partnership. Somewhere between those negotiations, marriage had become part of the agreement. Alexander had been informed that the intended bride was Victoria Bennett. He had seen her photograph once. That was the extent of their acquaintance. "Has the wedding date been confirmed?" he asked. "Three weeks from now." Alexander looked at him. "Three weeks?" "Yes, sir." "Apparently, everyone has become very interested in planning my life." James offered no response. Alexander picked up his pen again. "Tell my father I will attend dinner." James looked surprised. "Certainly, sir." "But don't mistake that for enthusiasm." "Of course." When the door closed, Alexander remained alone. His eyes drifted towards the photograph sitting on the corner of his desk. It showed him standing beside his father at a business award ceremony two years earlier. He remembered that evening clearly. He had been healthy, confident and completely certain of where his life was heading. Now, people looked at him differently. Some were careful with their words. Others spoke too loudly, as though his condition had affected his hearing as well. And some looked at him with an expression he despised more than anything. Pity. Alexander turned the photograph face down. He wasn't interested in sympathy. He wasn't interested in anyone's expectations. And he certainly wasn't interested in a marriage arranged by two families who viewed him as another business opportunity. --- Across London, Charlotte Bennett sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the document her father had given her. She had read it several times. Nothing changed. Her name was still there. Alexander Sterling's name was still there. And the wedding date was still three weeks away. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Charlotte?" It was her mother. "Come in." Margaret entered and closed the door behind her. For a moment, she simply looked at her daughter. "Have you thought about what your father said?" Charlotte gave a small, disbelieving laugh. "Have I thought about it?" "Please don't speak to me like that." "Then how should I speak, Mum? Should I thank you for choosing my husband without asking me?" Margaret sighed. "We're doing this for the family." Charlotte looked down at her hands. "Why does saving this family always have to cost me something?" Her mother didn't answer immediately. Instead, she sat beside her. "Your father has worked hard for everything we have. The business is struggling, Charlotte. We could lose our home, our reputation and everything we've built." "And Victoria?" Margaret looked at her. "What about her?" "Why can't she marry him?" "You know your sister. She has made her decision." Charlotte swallowed. "So because Victoria said no, I have to say yes?" "You're the only one who can help us now." Charlotte turned towards the window. Outside, the afternoon sky was grey. She had spent most of her life trying to be the daughter her parents could depend on. She rarely argued, rarely demanded anything and always tried to make things easier for everyone. Perhaps that was why they found it so easy to make decisions for her. "Does he even know about me?" she finally asked. Margaret frowned. "Who?" "Alexander. Does he know that I'm supposed to marry him?" Her mother hesitated. "His family knows about the arrangement." "That wasn't my question." Margaret stood. "Your father will explain everything." Charlotte watched her walk towards the door. "Mum?" She stopped. "Yes?" "What if he doesn't want me either?" Margaret didn't answer. The door closed quietly. Charlotte remained on the bed, staring at the engagement document. She had been worrying about marrying a stranger. But she hadn't considered that the stranger might not even want her. And somehow, that thought frightened her more.

Charlotte barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered her father's words. Your wedding will take place in three weeks. Three weeks. She had spent years imagining what her future might look like. She had thought about finishing her education, finding a career she loved and eventually meeting someone she could choose for herself. Marriage had never been part of her immediate plans. And certainly not a marriage arranged over a business deal. By seven the following morning, she had given up trying to sleep. She walked downstairs in a loose cream sweater and black trousers, her hair tied into a simple ponytail. The kitchen was quiet. She poured herself a glass of orange juice and reached for a slice of toast. "You're awake early." Charlotte turned. Victoria stood at the kitchen entrance, dressed in an expensive-looking silk robe. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her phone was in her hand. "Couldn't sleep," Charlotte replied. Victoria walked towards the counter. "Neither could I." Charlotte glanced at her. "Because of Alexander?" Victoria gave a short laugh. "Please don't start." "I wasn't starting anything." "Good." Victoria opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. For a moment, neither sister spoke. Then Charlotte gathered enough courage to ask the question that had been bothering her. "Did you know they were going to ask me?" Victoria turned. "Ask you what?" "To marry him." Her sister looked at her for a few seconds before taking a sip of water. "Not until yesterday." "And you don't think that's unfair?" Victoria shrugged. "Charlotte, I didn't ask them to choose you." The answer stung more than Charlotte expected. "I know." "Then why are you looking at me like that?" Charlotte placed her glass down. "Because you were allowed to refuse. Nobody asked you to sacrifice anything. But now that you've said no, everyone expects me to accept." Victoria's expression hardened. "That's not my problem." Charlotte stared at her. "You're my sister." "And?" The single word left Charlotte speechless. Victoria placed the bottle on the counter. "Look, I understand that you're upset. But don't blame me because Dad has decided to use you to fix his business problems." "Then why don't you help me?" "How?" "Talk to him. Tell him this isn't fair." Victoria laughed quietly. "You really think Dad will listen to me?" "He listened when you refused." "That's because I refused to be stupid." Charlotte lowered her eyes. Victoria picked up her phone again. "Besides, Alexander Sterling isn't exactly someone I would want to spend my life with." "Have you even met him?" Victoria paused. It was only for a second, but Charlotte noticed. "Why would I need to meet him?" "Because you seem to know so much about him." Victoria's expression changed. "I know enough." Before Charlotte could ask another question, Victoria walked out of the kitchen. Charlotte remained where she was. Something about that conversation didn't feel right. --- Later that afternoon, Richard Bennett received a call from the Sterling family. He answered in his study. "Richard Bennett speaking." "Mr Bennett. It's Jonathan Sterling." Richard immediately straightened in his chair. "Mr Sterling. What a pleasure." "I believe we need to discuss the wedding arrangements." "Of course. I've been expecting your call." There was a brief pause. "Alexander has agreed to attend a family dinner this evening. I thought it would be appropriate for the bride to be present." Richard's expression brightened. "That can certainly be arranged." "Excellent. Seven o'clock at Sterling Manor." "I'll make sure Charlotte is there." Another pause followed. "Charlotte?" Richard's smile faded slightly. "Yes. My younger daughter." "I was under the impression that Victoria would be attending." "Unfortunately, there has been a small change." "What sort of change?" Richard adjusted his tie. "Victoria is no longer available for the arrangement. Charlotte will be taking her place." The silence on the other end lasted longer than expected. "Does Alexander know?" Richard hesitated. "He will be informed." "That isn't what I asked, Richard." Richard swallowed. "I'll speak with him before the dinner." "See that you do. My son has already made enough compromises." The call ended. Richard slowly lowered his phone. He had expected questions, but not that particular one. He knew Alexander well enough to understand that the young man wouldn't appreciate being kept in the dark. And if the arrangement collapsed, the consequences would be disastrous for the Bennett family. --- At Sterling Manor, Alexander was reviewing a financial report when his father entered his office. "You have a visitor coming this evening." Alexander didn't look up. "Then tell the receptionist to send them to the meeting room." "Your future bride." His pen stopped. "My what?" Jonathan Sterling walked towards the desk. "The Bennett family. You'll be meeting your bride tonight." Alexander leaned back in his wheelchair. "I thought the arrangements were already settled." "They are." "Then why do I need another meeting?" "Because you're getting married, Alexander. It might be useful to know the woman you're marrying." Alexander gave his father a cold look. "You make it sound as though I have a choice." "You always have a choice." "Do I?" Jonathan ignored the question. "Her name is Charlotte Bennett." Alexander frowned slightly. "Charlotte?" "Victoria's younger sister." For several seconds, Alexander said nothing. Then he placed his pen on the desk. "Explain." Jonathan pulled out the chair opposite him. "Victoria has withdrawn from the arrangement. Her family has proposed Charlotte instead." Alexander stared at him. "And when exactly was I supposed to be informed?" "Today." "How considerate." "Alexander-" "No. Don't explain it away. You negotiated a marriage with one woman and now expect me to accept another without even being consulted." Jonathan sighed. "The Bennett family is in a difficult position." "That isn't my concern." "The partnership is important." "Then marry into their family yourself." "Enough." Alexander turned towards the window. He had no interest in the Bennett family's problems. He had barely been interested in the original arrangement. But the idea that people could simply exchange brides as though they were changing names on a business document irritated him. "Does this Charlotte know what's happening?" he asked. "She does." "And she agreed?" Jonathan hesitated. "Her family says she has accepted." Alexander gave a quiet, humourless laugh. "Her family says?" His father stood. "You'll meet her tonight. I expect you to behave." Alexander looked at him. "I always behave." Jonathan shook his head and walked towards the door. "Seven o'clock. Don't be late." When he was gone, Alexander remained still. He reached for his phone and opened the message his assistant had sent earlier. A photograph of Charlotte Bennett was attached. He studied it briefly. She looked nothing like the woman he had been told he would marry. He placed the phone face down. "Another decision made for me," he muttered. --- At the Bennett residence, Charlotte stood in front of her wardrobe. Her mother had already chosen a dress for the evening, but Charlotte hadn't touched it. She was still thinking about the phone call her father had received. A family dinner. At Sterling Manor. She was finally going to meet the man whose name had been placed beside hers on a marriage document. A soft knock came from the door. "Charlotte, are you ready?" her mother asked. "Almost." Margaret entered and looked at the untouched dress on the bed. "Why haven't you changed?" Charlotte turned towards her. "Does Alexander know I'm not Victoria?" Her mother looked uncomfortable. "Of course he does." Charlotte searched her face. "You're sure?" "Your father has spoken to his family." It wasn't quite the answer Charlotte wanted. She picked up the dress. "What if he refuses?" Margaret walked closer. "Then we'll deal with that when it happens." Charlotte nodded slowly. But she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was preparing her for a marriage while nobody had bothered to ask the groom whether he wanted one. And somewhere in London, Alexander Sterling was looking at a photograph of the woman he was expected to marry. Neither of them knew what the evening would bring. 7:00 PM. The meeting was about to begin.