LOVE ON CONTRACT

Chapter 6: The Hospital Bill

The message came at 2AM.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand and lit up the dark room.

I almost ignored it. But something in my gut told me to check.

PAPA'S HOSPITAL BILL - URGENT

DUE IN 48 HOURS

AMOUNT: PHP 850,000

PLEASE SETTLE IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID TREATMENT DISCONTINUATION

The words blurred. 850,000.

Eight hundred fifty thousand pesos.

I read it again. And again. Like if I stared hard enough, the number would change.

But it didn't.

My chest felt tight. My hands started shaking.

This was supposed to be the answer. The contract with Thunder was supposed to save Papa.

But the money wasn't in my account yet. The contract said monthly salary.

And it was only day 4.

A sound escaped me. Half sob, half laugh.

What was I thinking? That a billionaire would just hand me millions?

Another buzz.

NURSE MARIA: Sophia, the doctor needs to talk to you tomorrow morning.

Please don't let them stop his chemo.

I threw the phone on the bed and buried my face in the pillow.

The tears came hot and fast. I bit my lip to keep from making noise.

This penthouse was too big. Too quiet.

And I was too alone.

Then a soft knock.

"Sophia?"

Thunder's voice. Low. Hesitant.

I didn't answer. Couldn't.

The door opened slowly. He stood there in the doorway, backlit by the hall light.

Gray t-shirt. Sweatpants. Hair messy like he just woke up.

No suit. No cold CEO mask.

Just a man.

"You're crying," he said quietly.

I wiped my face fast. "I'm fine. Go away."

But he didn't. He walked in and closed the door behind him.

Sat on the chair by my bed. Not too close. Giving me space.

"Talk to me," he said. The same words from last night. "Please."

I laughed, but it sounded broken. "Rule #4. Remember? No personal questions."

"Consider it suspended," he replied.

Something about the way he said it made me look up.

His eyes were dark in the dim light. And for once, there was no irritation there.

No boredom. Just... waiting.

And I broke.

"My dad has cancer," I whispered. "Stage 3. Liver."

"The hospital called. They need 850k in two days or they'll stop treatment."

"And I don't have it. I thought the contract would—" My voice broke.

Thunder didn't interrupt. Didn't look away.

When I finished, the room was silent except for my shaky breathing.

He stood up. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"To my office. Now."

Five minutes later, I was sitting in his study.

The room was all dark wood and glass. His laptop was already open.

He typed without looking at me. Then turned the screen.

A bank transfer form.

RECIPIENT: ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL

ACCOUNT: ************

AMOUNT: PHP 850,000.00

My heart stopped. "What... what is this?"

"An advance," he said simply. "On your salary."

"But the contract says—"

"I wrote the contract," he cut in. "I can change it."

He met my eyes. "Do you want me to send it?"

I couldn't speak. I just nodded.

He clicked send.

TRANSFER SUCCESSFUL.

850,000 pesos. Gone from his account. Into my father's hospital.

Just like that.

The air left my lungs. "Why?" I whispered. "You barely know me."

Thunder leaned back in his chair. Ran a hand through his hair.

For a second, he looked tired. Really tired.

"Because I know what it's like," he said quietly.

"To watch someone you love and feel helpless."

"And because..." He paused. "Because you didn't cry in front of everyone at the gala."

"You didn't beg. You held your head up."

He stood and walked to the window. Back to me.

"So consider this me... holding my head up too."

I stared at his back. This man who was supposed to be my fake husband.

Who just saved my real father.

"Thank you," I said. It wasn't enough.

He nodded once. "Get some sleep, Sophia."

At the door, he stopped. Didn't turn.

"And Sophia? Rule #4 is cancelled. Permanently."

"If you need anything. Anything at all. You ask me."

Then he left.

I sat there alone, looking at the transfer confirmation on the screen.

And for the first time since signing that contract,

the word 'wife' didn't feel like a lie.