TJE BILLIONAIRE'S DARK SECRET

(Aurora’s POV) The hospital hallway had a depressing and antiseptic odor. I turned to face the three debt collectors obstructing my path, and my fingers folded around my pocketbook. They had predatory, keen eyes, and I knew they wouldn't abandon me without money, which I didn't have. "Miss Quinn, your time's up," said the tallest, with his arms folded. "The hospital bills for your mother are past due. We'll take legal action if you don't pay now." I said, "Please, I just need a little more time," in a tremulous voice. "I promise, I’m working on it." "What are you working on? "A miracle?" Another man gave a chilly laugh. "You owe more than $100,000. Sweetheart, hospitals don't operate on promises. My heart was racing. One hundred thousand? I felt like I was drowning when I heard the amount of the money; even though I thought I knew it was horrible. I swallowed my pride and begged, "My mother is sick." "She is asking for medical attention. I…I'll find a solution. Give me a week, please. "A week?" With a sneer, the leader moved closer. "How about an hour?" I went into a panic. An hour? How was I meant to… "She doesn’t have an hour," a smooth, deep voice said, breaking the tension. I made a quick turn. Kingston Zane. He still had the same dangerously striking appearance, even in the poor hospital light: broad shoulders, a well-tailored black suit, and cold, heartless eyes. The notorious billionaire. The cold-hearted Wall Street king. And the man I had avoided for years. "Who the hell are you?" Among the debt collectors, one scowled. With the cool assurance of a man who never lost, Zane tucked his hands into his pockets. "The man who’s about to buy out her debt," he stated. I went cold. What? The collectors looked at each other suspiciously. "You’re paying for her?" Zane's lips quivered, but it was amusement rather than a smile. "Did I stammer?" After a moment of hesitation, the leader nodded. "All right. Once the funds are transferred, we will depart. After Zane took out his phone and pressed a few keys, the man's phone began to vibrate in a matter of seconds. The collector's eyes widened as he checked his screen. According to Zane, "It's all there," as he put his phone back in his pocket. My debt of one hundred thousand dollars vanished in an instant. It should have made me feel better. I ought to have bowed down in appreciation. But, I was aware. Nothing Zane Kingston did was ever free. My throat was dry as I turned to face him. "Why did you do that?" Unreadable, his eyes locked with mine. "Because I need something from you, Aurora." My stomach turned over. "What do you mean?" The air between us seemed to change abruptly as he took a step closer. "Marry me." My breath caught. "W-What?" He said, "You heard me," with ease. "You're having problems. I also need a wife. An ideal young fiancée can maintain appearances for a long time. Unable to comprehend what he was saying, I just stared at him. "You—You wish for me to wed you? Why me? He tightened his jaw. "Due to your desperation. Additionally, I don't have time to look for another partner." His remarks were painful. "You simply anticipate that I will say yes? "Like that?" Zane's glare was ice-cold. "I assume you're aware of reality. Until I entered, you had nowhere to go. You can now choose to marry me, and your mother's expenses will be covered. Refuse, along with that debt? It will return. With curiosity. I felt a chill go through me. "That's blackmail." His mouth hardly moved. "No, Aurora. That's business. I balled my hands into fists. This was not taking place. This cannot be taking place. "Why do you even need a wife?" In an attempt to regain control, I asked. Zane Kingston is your name. Women are drawn to you. His face grew serious. "That’s none of your concern." Something almost menacing, sparked in his eyes. But, he added, "You have until midnight to decide," before I could press him further. After that, the transaction is off." He turned and went away, leaving me standing there, trembling, my pulse racing. In just a few hours, how was I to make a choice that would alter my entire life? The Decision at Midnight I watched my mother sleep while I sat in her hospital room. She had a pale face and shallow respiration. I was reminded that time was running out by the gentle beeps of the equipment. One hundred thousand dollars. It would take years for me to pay that off, even if I worked three jobs. And that was just the beginning. The operations and therapies went on and on. I took a deep breath. Zane Kingston had no mercy. Chilly. Risky. But he was also my sole escape route. The seconds passed by the wall-mounted clock. It was getting close to midnight. It buzzed on my phone. Zane: We've got five minutes. Grasping the phone till my knuckles turned white, I folded my eyes shut. Am I capable of doing this? Is it possible for me to get married to a man who views me as merely a business deal? Then, I turned to face my mother, who was weak and barely surviving. I knew the answer beforehand. I replied, my fingers shaking, "I'll do it." My phone buzzed once more a few seconds later. Zane: Well done. Tomorrow, be prepared. I dislike waiting. I let out a trembling breath, my pulse racing as reality sank in. I was going to be Mrs. Zane Kingston tomorrow. Furthermore, I was unaware of what I had just committed to. The Next day* The air in the dimly lighted restaurant was heavy with the aroma of power and costly wine. I clenched my fingers in my lap and sat rigidly across from Zane Kingston. I hated how readily I had come racing, but he had called me here as if I were a business deal he needed to close. On the table between us was a slick black folder. Even before he pushed it in my direction, I knew what was inside. "Read it," Zane stated in a strong, composed voice. I refrained from grabbing it. "Tell me instead." His icy gray eyes looked at me, laughing at my refusal to comply. "One year of marriage. No affection. No inquiries. No sentimental ties." I winced. "No love?" There was a little twist to his lips but no warmth. "That won’t be a problem, will it?" I had a constricted throat. "And what happens after a year?" "We divorce," he stated with ease. "You leave with sufficient cash to begin a new life. I get what I need, and your mother receives the best care." I scowled. "What do you even need?" His eyes grew gloomy, yet his face was unrevealing. "That’s not your concern." I gave a quick breath. "So, I'm only meant to be your legal wife? Act as if you're for the cameras. "Exactly," he replied. "You'll show up to gatherings, smile when needed, and behave in public like a devoted wife. We are nothing to one another behind closed doors. I stared at the contract, my stomach twisting. "You’re insane if you think I’m agreeing to this." Zane didn't flinch. "Then don’t." My heart was racing. "I won’t." He reclined on his chair, utterly unconcerned. "Then, Aurora, you had better start searching for another miracle. Due to the debt I settled? I can bring it back. With curiosity. A harsh breath came out of my mouth. "You wouldn't." His eyes became lethal. "Try me." My nails dug into the wood as I held onto the table's edge. The truth was that he had me caught, even though every part of me cried out to flee and fight back. I shook my head, though. "I refuse to wed you. I refuse to sell myself to a man who doesn't even think that love exists. Zane's tolerance waned as his lips formed a narrow line. "Then this conversat ion is over." He got up, buttoned his suit jacket, and left without giving it another look. With my hands shaking and my chest constricted, I watched him leave. Zane Kingston and I had just said no. But I knew in my heart that I wouldn't be able to enjoy that pleasure for very long.