The rain fell without mercy over the city that evening, turning the street into blur of light and reflection .Amara Bennett stood outside the hospital entrance,her chin cloth already soaked through,but she didn't move ,she felt the cold anymore ,what she felt was fear.Her trembling finger tightened around the paper in her hand Hospital bill.The number printed on it felt like a death sentence.She read then over and over again , hoping they could somehow change , hoping she has misread thorning in her panic. But the total remained the same impossible, unreachable,crushing.Her father had been admitted two days ago after collapsing at work. One moment he had been fine , struggling through life always,and the next ,he had fallen to the ground unconscious.The doctors said,it was a secure heart condition. Emergency, surgery was the option.But surgery required money.Money,she did not have .Since that day ,Amara had not rested,she had gone from house to house ,from one relative to another begging and pleading, explaining,some listened most didn't.A few even avoided her call completely.Everyone had an excuse ."I'm sorry Amara""I can't help right now " " It's to much for me "Too much Those ,words echoed in her mind as she stood in the rain everything was" too much "for them but not her.She was one watching her father slowly fade away.A soft sight scraped her lips as she titled them back , letting the rain mix with the tears she refused to let fall."God ....." She whispered shakily; what am I going to do ' for a moment,their was only silence.Then her phone rang She quickly wiped her faced and answered " Amara,came her Aunt voice gentle but usually serious." Their is a way" Amara heart beat slowed What way ? She asked care fully .Her Aunt lowered her voice.."Their is a man ' she began ,a very wealthy man.he needs a wife but not for love.it a contract marriage,if you agree ,he will pay for your father's hospital bills and cover the surgery completely The words did not register immediately,for a few seconds, Amara simply stood still,the rain falling around her ,the word fading into silence.Then she repeated softly " a marriage ?"Yes ,her Aunt confirmed "one year only " Amara grip tightened around her phone .A contract marriage.No emotion, no love ,just an agreement between two strangers.Her mind immediately resisted the ideas ,it soundly wrong ,cold ,and impossible.But then her thought shifted Her father face .His weak voice .The hospital bill.The tickling clock. Four days. That was all she had left.Her throat tightened " Aunt ....."she asked slowly " Aw long did you say the contract will end again." One year " her Aunt repeated firmly" but you need to decide quickly. The opportunity won't stay longer .Amara looked through the hospital glass doors where her father lays inside fighting for his life with out even knowing how close he was losing it .For a long time ,she did nothing. Then softly,she whispered "I'll think about it""You don't have much time" her Aunt warned again.Please Amara"Thank you " she replied quietly And the call ends *†**†***†**🌸 Amara remained outside in the rain for several minutes after the call ended,her phone still pressed against her ear Her thought was heavy Marriage to a stranger.A contract marriage with no future Pride could not save her father Hope had already failed her .Only Desperation remained, slowly she turned and walked back to the hospital the smell of disinfectant greeted her as she entered the wards,soft beeping of machine filled the air like a constant reminder of what was at stake.Her father lay on the bed pale and weak ,his breathing shallow but steady. Tube and wired , surrounded him,keeping him alive in a way that fragile .Amara walked to the side and sat gently.She shook his hand .It was warm - but weaker than before ' I"m still trying " her voice cracked slightly."You always told me to be strong " she continued,"But what happened when being strong isn't enough anymore" There was no answer, only the sound of machines .A Nurse entered quietly breaking the silence,"Miss Bennett,she said gently" The doctor asked me to remind you that the surgery cannot wait any longer if it is not done within four days,the risk might increase insignificantly " Four days. Again.Amara closed her eyes briefly."Okay ," she managed to say ." Thank you " When the nurse left, Amara stayed seated for a long time ,holding her father's hand .Something inside her father's hand Something inside her shifted Slowly, painfully.A decision forming in silence.That night, Amara did not stop.She said by the window in her small apartment, staring at the city light .In the distance,life continued outside, car moving , people walking, building glowing -but her world felt paused .Her phone lays beside her table she kept staring at it .Her thought drifted to the hospital,to her father.to the ticking deadline. Then finally