Chapter 003 : Marry Me or Walk Away
1253 Words
The card felt heavy in her hand.
Nova stood near the vending machines, staring at it like it might change if she looked long enough.
Ryan Blake.
Black card. Clean. Simple. Expensive.
No extra words. No kindness attached.
Just a name… and power.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
“This is crazy,” she muttered under her breath.
Marriage?
Just like that?
She let out a short, dry laugh.
“Who even does that…”
But the laugh didn’t last.
Because reality didn’t change.
Her brother was still inside.
Fighting for his life
Still depending on money she didn’t have.
He was all she got
She pressed the card against her palm.
Think.
Think properly.
This man… he wasn’t joking.
Everything about him said that.
The way he spoke.
The way people moved around him.
The way the hospital suddenly became… careful.
He could actually do it.
He could pay everything.
Fix everything.
Just like that.
Her jaw tightened.
“At what cost…” she whispered.
Marriage.
To a stranger.
No feelings. No life. Just… a deal.
Her chest felt tight again.
—
“Madam.”
Nova looked up quickly.
The nurse from earlier stood there again.
Face the same. Tone the same.
Flat.
“The doctor is asking for you.”
Nova’s heart skipped.
“What happened?” she asked immediately.
“His condition is unstable,” the nurse said. “We need to proceed further.”
Nova stepped forward fast. “Then do it.”
“Payment hasn’t been completed.”
Of course.
Always back to that.
Nova swallowed.
“I’m working on it,” she said, trying to steady her voice. “Please just—”
“You need to make a decision quickly,” the nurse cut in.
Then she walked away.
Just like that.
Nova stood there, staring after her.
Decision.
Everything was about decision.
But why did it feel like she didn’t have one?
—
She walked back toward the emergency area slowly.
Each step heavier than the last.
People passed her again.
Whispering.
While her world was stuck in one place.
She stopped in front of the glass panel.
Through it, she could see a glimpse.
Machines.
Movement.
Doctors.
And her brother.
Her hand pressed lightly against the glass.
“I’m here…” she whispered.
Her voice came out smaller than she expected.
“I’m trying…”
Her throat tightened.
“I just need a little more time.”
But time wasn’t listening.
—
“Still thinking?”
Nova turned.
Ryan stood a few steps behind her.
No expression.
Like nothing had changed.
Like everything was already decided.
Her fingers tightened around the card.
“You came back,” she said quietly.
“I didn’t leave,” he replied.
Of course he didn’t.
Men like him didn’t chase.
They waited.
Nova faced him fully now.
“This… this doesn’t make sense,” she said. “You don’t know me. I don’t know you. And you’re talking about marriage like it’s nothing.”
“It is nothing,” Ryan said.
Her brows pulled together.
“It’s a contract,” he continued. “A role. You fulfill it, you get what you need.”
Nova stared at him.
“You’re talking about my life.”
“And you’re talking about his,” Ryan said, glancing toward the emergency room.
The words landed hard.
Nova’s chest tightened.
“You don’t have time to think about ideals,” he added. “You need a solution.”
Real.
Nova looked away first.
Her eyes went back to the glass.
Her brother.
Her responsibility.
Her everything.
She exhaled slowly.
“What exactly do you want?” she asked.
Ryan didn’t hesitate.
“A wife on paper,” he said. “Someone who can stand beside me in public. No emotional involvement. No interference in my personal affairs.”
Nova nodded slowly.
“And after?”
“After what?”
“This ends?” she asked. “Or I just stay like that forever?”
Ryan’s expression didn’t change.
“That depends on the contract terms.”
Of course it did.
Everything with him was calculated.
Nova let out a breath.
“And the rules?”
“No relationships with other men,” Ryan said immediately. “No scandals. No actions that damage my reputation.”
Her lips pressed together.
“You don’t trust easily.”
“I don’t trust at all,” he corrected.
That… said enough.
Nova studied him for a second.
Then looked down at the card again.
Everything felt sharp.
Clear.
Painfully clear.
This wasn’t a rescue.
It was an exchange.
Life for control.
Her brother’s life… for her freedom.
She swallowed.
“If I agree,” she said slowly, “you’ll handle everything? Hospital bills, treatment… everything?”
“Yes.”
Nova nodded once.
Her grip on the card tightened again.
Her heart was beating fast now.
Loud.
Heavy.
This was it.
No more thinking.
No more waiting.
Just choice.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
“I’ll do it.”
The words came out quiet.
But steady.
Ryan didn’t react much.
Just a slight shift in his gaze.
“Good,” he said.
Like a deal just closed.
Nothing more.
Nova let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
Her chest still felt tight.
But something inside her had already settled.
Not peace.
Not relief.
Just… acceptance.
“What now?” she asked.
Ryan turned slightly.
“My assistant will handle the paperwork,” he said. “The hospital will receive full payment immediately.”
Nova nodded.
“Can I see him?” she asked.
Ryan glanced at the emergency room again.
“They’ll allow it once things are stable.”
Of course.
Everything had a condition.
—
Minutes later, things started moving.
Fast.
Too fast.
Doctors became more active.
Nurses stopped ignoring her.
People started speaking carefully around her.
Nova noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Money changed everything.
Even respect.
—
A man approached her.
“Miss Nova?” he said.
She turned.
“Yes?”
“I’m from Mr. Blake’s office,” he said, handing her a file. “This is the preliminary agreement. You’ll need to sign before we proceed further.”
Nova stared at the file.
So this was it.
No ceremony.
Just paper.
She took it slowly.
Her hands weren’t shaking anymore.
That part was gone.
Now it was just… quiet.
Cold quiet.
She flipped it open.
Words.
Terms.
Conditions.
Her name already printed.
Waiting.
She paused for a second.
Then picked up the pen.
No long speech.
No tears.
Just one thought in her head.
He has to live.
Her pen touched the paper.
And moved.
Signature complete.
—
“Done,” she said, handing it back.
The man nodded. “Thank you.”
He walked away.
Ryan stepped forward again.
“It’s settled,” he said.
Nova nodded once.
“Yes.”
No turning back now.
—
Behind them, the emergency doors opened again.
A doctor stepped out.
Nova’s heart jumped.
“Doctor—”
“He’s stable for now,” the doctor said.
Relief hit her instantly.
Sharp.
Strong.
Almost painful.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
Her knees felt weak.
But she didn’t fall.
Not now.
Not anymore.
Because she had already fallen somewhere else.
Somewhere deeper.
Somewhere she couldn’t climb out of easily.
—
Ryan watched her quietly.
Then said,
“We’ll leave soon.”
Nova didn’t argue.
Didn’t question.
She just nodded.
Because everything had already changed.
And there was no going back.
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