Contracted to the Ruthless Billionaire

Rainora shifted impatiently on her feet, glancing over her shoulder at the clock above the dusty shelves. It was later than she’d hoped. The line in the small-town store was moving painfully slowly, her eyes darting to the middle-aged man before her as he prattled on about the rising prices of milk and bread. The cashier, a young woman with streaks of purple in her otherwise dull hair, looked utterly disinterested, dragging each item over the scanner with the energy of a tired sloth."Yeah, prices sure are going up,” the cashier mumbled, voice flat, barely paying. attention as she scanned a can of soup. Rainora’s heart raced as she mentally urged them both to hurry.She clenched the bottles of medication tightly in her hand, feeling the cool, hard plastic press against her palm. Arin needed this medicine. His fever had worsened overnight, and the way he’d coughed himself awake made her heart twist. What if he’s gotten worse while she’s here? Rainora swallowed, her thoughts spiraling with worry.Finally, the man in front of her shuffled off, tossing a jovial “You have a good one, miss!” over his shoulder as he left. Rainora’s hope lifted—maybe it would only be a minute now.But the old woman in front of her was already taking her time, examining each item.in her basket before setting it on the counter." Actually, I don't think of that," the woman muttered as she picked up a can of green beans and put it back on the shelf.Rainora felt her patience slipping away. “Please, please...” she whispered under her breath, willing the old lady to hurry.After what felt like an eternity, the woman finally took her bags and hobbled out of the store. Rainora stepped forward, hastily pulling out her card.The cashier gave her a long look, not exactly hiding her boredom as she asked, “Allset or you got any last-minute add-ons too?”Rainora shook her head quickly. “No, just... just the medicine. Please.”The cashier dragged the bottle across the scanner, its beep punctuating the quiet of the store. Rainora held her card out, almost shaking as she tapped it on the machine. But the screen flashed red.DECLINED: INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.She felt her face go hot, and a cold sweat prickled the back of her neck. No, no, not now. She tried to keep her voice steady, the embarrassment crawling up her spine.“Um, there must be some mistake.”The cashier sighed loudly, her brow raising in barely contained annoyance. “Says insufficient funds. You got another card?”Rainora shook her head, fumbling through her pockets. She found a crumpled five-dollar bill and a few coins, counting quickly with fingers that trembled. “This should... this should be enough to cover the rest.” She handed it over, feeling the cashier’s disapproving stare burned into her.The cashier pursed her lips, muttering as she took the cash. “You know, maybe check your balance next time.”Rainora bit her lip, cheeks flushed. “Yeah, I... I will.” She grabbed the medicine as soon as the cashier pushed it towards her, mumbled a quick “Thank you,” and rushed out before she could say anything else.Once outside, she took a shaky breath, clutching the bag against her chest. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the quiet street, but Rainora barely noticed. She broke into a jog, her heart pounding in relief and worry alike, her only thought on getting back to Arin as fast as she could.—--The way back through the sleepy streets of Brockten Town was a blur. Rainora’s legs pushed faster than ever, her steps pounding against the cracked pavement. The quaint houses she usually admired—paintings peeling in charming ways, flower boxes bursting with late summer blooms—passed in a rush, barely registering as she bolted past. Porch lights flickered on as dusk settled, and a soft breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and earth. She felt her lungs burn, but she didn’t dare slow down. Finally, she turned down her street, the silhouette of her family’s small, weathered house coming into view. A humble one-story structure with faded blue paint cracked shingles, and a sagging porch, it was a place that wore its years openly. The roof was patched in places, and the wooden fence leaned to one side as if tired from standing for so long. But it was home, and tonight, it had never looked more important.Rainora burst through the door, chest heaving, and headed straight down the narrow hallway toward the small bedroom she shared with her younger brother, Arin. Her parents hovered by his bedside, their expressions tense, etched with worry that cut deeper than words. Arin lay propped on the old, lumpy queen-sized bed, his face pale against the pillow, each shallow breath raspy and weak. Their father sat on the edge of the bed, murmuring softly, his hand resting on Arin’s thin shoulder as their mother dabbed his feverish forehead with a damp cloth.“Rainora,” her mother said, relief flashing across her face as she noticed the bag in her hands.Rainora didn’t waste a second. She handed her mother the cough syrup carefully. measuring out a dose. “Here, let’s sit him up.”Together, they gently eased Arin into a sitting position. He groaned softly, his eyelids fluttering, but managed to swallow the medicine with their help. Then Rainora took the syringe from the bag, measuring out the precise dose she’d been instructed to use. She gripped his arm gently, pushing the needle into his skin and injecting the medication with the utmost care. As the last drop went in, she felt a tentative hope rise within her. Within minutes, Arin’s breathing grew steadier, his small chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. The wheezing faded, replaced by the soft, even breaths of sleep.The whole family let out a collective sigh, relief settling over them like a gentle blanket.They crept out of the room, closing the door softly. In the small, worn living room, They sank into the threadbare chairs, the weight of the moment heavy on their shoulders.Rainora glanced at her parents, pressing her hands together tightly. “That was the last of my money. I don’t… I don’t know what we’ll do next time. I didn’t know it’d be this expensive.”Her mother’s lips tightened, her eyes reflecting a quiet despair she tried to keep hidden.“We’ll figure something out,” she said, though her tone betrayed her uncertainty.Her father, a quiet, steady man, leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. “Things have been tough, but... We just need to hold on a bit longer. Maybe I can find some extra work,” he said, though his voice was laced with the exhaustion of someone. who had been working extra shifts for months. Rainora took a deep breath. “There might be another way.” She hesitated, the idea feeling strange on her tongue. “Cousin Eunice—she's in New York now, and...She’s always saying how there’s plenty of jobs there. Maybe I could stay with her for a while and find work. Send the money back for Arin’s medicine and anything else we need.”Her mother and father exchanged a look, one that held both fear and resignation.Her mother’s face softened, a worried furrow between her brows. “New York? That's far, Rainora...”I know. But we’re out of options.” Rainora met their gazes steadily. “We need the money. And if it means going somewhere new... I’ll do it.”They sat in silence for a moment, each wrestling with the reality of it. Her father sighed, his voice resigned. “If you want to do this, we’ll support you. Just promise you’ll be safe.”Rainora nodded, determination settling in her heart. “I will.”She stood and made her way to the kitchen, where she sat on a creaky wooden chair, dialing Eunice’s number with fingers that still trembled a little. She took a deep breath as the phone rang, praying her cousin would answer.