Chapter2TheTrapIsSet
1219 Words
A Mother's Life on the Line
Heart pounding, I hurried inside the hospital room of my mother. She was pale, her breathing weak, her frail frame hardly a shadow of the robust lady she had been. I broke at seeing her like way.
Mom? I spoke. I moved in front of him.
Her eyes opened, feeble yet gently warm. "Aurora… you look tired, sweetheart."
I started to smile under duress. "I’m fine, Mom. In what state are you in?"
She responded, No. Instead, she grabbed for my hand, squeezing it lightly.
"You worry too much," she muttered.
Before I could react, a loud beeping noise filled the room.
Then she gasped, her whole body jolting as pain distorted her face.
"Mom!" I cried.
The machines started howling. Nurses raced in. A doctor pushed past me, yelling directions.
I was shoved aside, forced to watch as they tried desperately to stabilize her.
"What’s happening?" My voice was barely a whisper.
The doctor turned to me, gloomy. "Her condition has worsened. We need to operate immediately, or we’ll lose her."
My blood turned to ice. "O-Operate?"
"It’s high-risk, but it’s her only chance," the doctor stated. Then his voice softened. "But… the process is pricey. The hospital will need proof of payment before we proceed."
My legs nearly gave out. "How much?"
His expression told me I didn’t want to hear the answer.
"$500,000."
The air was drained from my lungs. "That’s… I don’t have that kind of money!"
The doctor sighed. "I’m sorry, but we need the finances before we can arrange the procedure. If we wait too long…" He didn’t finish the statement. He didn’t need to.
I staggered back, my mind whirling.
Half a million dollars.
I had no job. No savings. No time.
I gazed at my mother’s unconscious body, at the way her chest rose and fell so softly.
Tears burnt my eyes.
No.
I couldn’t lose her.
I wouldn’t.
With shaky palms, I pulled out my phone.
I browsed through my messages until I found his name.
Zane Kingston.
I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. I was about to make a bargain with the devil. I was about to sign my life away.
I took a deep breath. Then, with my heart in my throat, I typed two words.
Me: I agree.
Seconds later, my phone buzzed.
Zane: Be in my office in one hour. Don’t be late.
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
This was it.
I was going to become Mrs. Zane Kingston.
And there was no turning back.
A Prison Undercover*
With a gentle chime, the elevator doors opened, providing a stunning view of Zane Kingston's apartment. Smooth marble floors ran the length of a room that seemed to go on forever while floor-to-ceiling windows displayed the brilliant city skyline. The scent of whiskey, leather, and something exclusively Zane filled the air.
But, it wasn't luxury to me.
It was a cage.
With hesitation, I grabbed the handle of my tiny luggage and entered. Everything was chilly. Empty. Similar to the owner.
"You’ll stay here," Zane continued, ignoring me as if I didn't exist. "Down the hall is your room. I'm sure you won't goof up."
My gut twisted as I turned to face him. "To you, is that all I am? A visitor in your house?"
His face remained the same. "No. You are my spouse.
It seemed strange to hear the term from him.
He went on, "But don't mistake this for a real marriage." "A contract was signed by you. Nothing more.
The lump in my throat was swallowed. "I know what I signed."
"Good." He untied his necktie and made his way to the bar in the corner. "Because I don’t have time for unnecessary emotions."
I balled my fists up. "You don’t have to remind me."
After pouring himself a glass of whiskey and taking a leisurely swallow, Zane looked up at me. "Then, Aurora, stop staring at me as though you're waiting for anything more. You won't receive it.
Before he could see how hurtful his remarks were, I turned away.
I had decided. I had to go through it now.
Acting Like the Ideal Wife
New York's elite, including women in sparkling gowns and men in fitted suits, filled the ballroom. The polished marble floors were bathed in a golden glow as chandeliers dripped from the ceiling.
As cameras flashed around us, I stood at Zane's side, my palm resting softly on his arm, my heart racing.
We appeared to be the ideal pair to everyone.
Zane had a tight, nearly bruised hold on my waist, despite his endearing smile.
He said, "Smile," his lips hardly moving. "You are now my wife. Act as though you are.
Despite feeling crushed in his clutches, I pressed my lips into a gentle curve.
With ease, Zane guided me through the crowd, greeting CEOs, politicians, and individuals whose riches I couldn't even fathom. But his fingers tightened against my waist each time someone's eyes lingered on me for too long, serving as a silent warning.
He then leaned in closer, his lips grazing my ear in what appeared to be a kind whisper, as though he could sense my unease.
He whispered, his voice cutting, "Play your role well, and you might survive."
I felt a chill go through me.
I forced myself to look into his icy eyes by turning my head slightly. "And if I don’t?"
He smirked slowly and deliberately. "Then you’ll find out exactly how ruthless I can be."
His comments felt like a stone pressing down on my chest.
I was confined.
Zane Kingston was ensuring that I was aware of it.
A Perilous Secret
I needed some air after the event, so I fled to the penthouse's upper balcony.
Beneath me, a shimmering sea of lights stretched the metropolis. Trying to convince myself that I had done this for my mother, I held onto the railing and took deep breaths. Perhaps there was a reason for this marriage—this misery.9
I wouldn't stay here indefinitely.
But when I turned to go back inside, I heard whispers.
I went cold.
The glass walls of Zane's office provided a wonderful view of what was going on inside, and the balcony looked out over it.
Claire, his assistant, was standing close to his desk, frantically speaking to a caller.
"Yes… she signed the contract," Claire acknowledged in a quiet voice. "No, she doesn’t suspect anything yet." My blood froze.
What do you suspect?
I took a step forward, listening intently.
Claire went on, "Yes, we'll keep her in the dark." "She doesn’t need to know the real reason behind this marriage."
In my ears, my pulse thundered.
The true cause?
What did they fail to inform me?
I breathe heavily, I put a palm to my che
I had understood that this marriage was a financial transaction, but now—now I understand that it was more than that.
Something larger. Something hazardous.
And I found myself in the center of it. My heart racing, I retreated from the b
alcony
I needed clarifications.
I also needed them quickly.
Because it was obvious that Zane Kingston was concealing something.
Regardless of what it was
I will be destroyed by it.
- Writer
