The CEO'S SUBSTITUTE WIFE

The hospital corridor smelled like bleach and panic. Amahle's hands shook as she held the paper. MARRIAGE CONTRACT. Across the desk: A man in a 30,000 rand suit. No smile. No introduction. Just eyes like winter. "You have 5 minutes," he said. Voice flat. "Sign, or your sister goes to prison tonight." Amahle swallowed. "I don't even know your name." "Kago Mokoena." He slid a pen across the desk. "CEO, Mokoena Holdings. Your sister, Naledi Dlamini, forged my signature. Lost 50 million on crypto. Loan sharks have her now." Amahle's breath caught. Naledi. Her little sister. 19. Reckless. "The police won't press charges," Kago continued, "If you become my wife. 1 year. Contract marriage. You live in my penthouse. You attend my events. You don't touch my bed, my name, or my business." "And after 1 year?" Amahle's voice barely there. "Divorce. 2 million rand. Clean." Kago's eyes didn't blink. "You sister walks free today. Or I send her file to SAPS in 5 minutes." Amahle looked at the first page. Clause 3: No emotional involvement. Clause 7: No pregnancy. Clause 12: Breach = 10M penalty. Her phone buzzed. Unknown number. Photo: Naledi. Bruised. Tied to a chair in a warehouse. Caption: Clock's ticking, nurse. Amahle picked up the pen. "Wait." The door slammed open. A woman in a white coat ran in. Dr. Lindiwe, head of surgery. "Amahle, you can't do this! They're coercing you! I'll call HR-" "Dr. Lindiwe, please." Amahle's eyes were wet. "She's my sister." She signed. Amahle Dlamini. Kago took the contract. For the first time, something shifted in his face. No pity. Something colder. "Good. Car's waiting. We're getting married in 1 hour. City Hall." He stood. "One more thing, Mrs. Mokoena." Amahle froze. "Don't ever let me catch you lying to me. I hate liars more than I hate debt." As he walked out, his assistant Thabo whispered to Amahle: "Mr. Mokoena was married before. She disappeared 3 years ago. No one talks about her." Amahle's pen slipped from her hand. The first Mrs. Mokoena. Missing. And now, she was the second.