Chapter 3: ”The offer”
551 Words
The photograph slipped from Ariana’s trembling fingers.
“No…”
She stared at the rain-soaked warehouse frozen in the image.
She remembered the storm.
She remembered the blood.
She remembered running.
But she didn’t remember anyone taking a photograph.
Her phone vibrated.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
You have 24 hours to sign the contract.
After that, I can’t protect you anymore.
Her breath caught.
Protect me?
From who?
She quickly typed back.
Who are you?
The message showed Delivered.
No reply came.
⸻
The next morning…
Ariana barely slept.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes as she stepped into her father’s hospital room carrying a cup of coffee.
Richard Brooks was sitting by the window.
He looked older than he had yesterday.
“Morning, sweetheart.”
She forced a smile.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
He reached for her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
She frowned.
“For what?”
“I spent my whole life building something for you…”
“…and now I’ve left you with nothing.”
Tears filled Ariana’s eyes.
“You gave me everything that mattered.”
He smiled faintly.
Before he could answer—
The television switched on automatically.
BREAKING NEWS
“Brooks Industries officially files for liquidation after investors withdraw overnight.”
Ariana froze.
Liquidation?
That wasn’t supposed to happen for another month.
Her father’s coffee cup slipped from his hands.
It shattered across the floor.
“No…”
His breathing became uneven.
“Dad?”
His chest tightened.
Monitors began screaming.
Doctors rushed into the room.
“Everyone out!”
⸻
One hour later…
Ariana sat alone in the hospital corridor, staring blankly at the floor.
If Damien had known this would happen…
How?
The sound of polished shoes echoed through the hallway.
She didn’t need to look up.
She already knew who it was.
Damien stopped beside her.
“I warned you.”
She stood abruptly.
“Did you do this?”
His expression never changed.
“If I had…”
“…you wouldn’t be asking.”
She wanted to slap him.
Instead, she whispered,
“Why are you helping me?”
For the first time…
He hesitated.
Only for a second.
Then he reached into his coat and handed her a silver key.
She looked at it.
“What is this?”
“Apartment 2708.”
“My penthouse.”
Her eyes widened.
“I’m not moving in with you.”
“You’ll have your own floor.”
“I said no.”
His voice remained calm.
“You’ll change your mind.”
“I’m not marrying you.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“You practically did!”
“No.”
He held her gaze.
“I gave you a choice.”
A heavy silence settled between them.
Finally, Damien turned to leave.
Without looking back, he said quietly,
“Your father has forty-eight hours before the bank freezes every remaining asset connected to your family.”
He paused.
“When that happens…”
“…the hospital will stop treatment.”
Ariana’s knees nearly gave way.
She stared at
It suddenly felt heavier than gold.
And for the first time since meeting Damien…
She realized the most frightening thing about him wasn’t his wealth…
It was that he always seemed to know what would happen before anyone else did.
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