I Married The CEO To Save My Sister

The beeping sound was the only thing keeping my heart from stopping. I stared at the hospital monitor, watching the green line jump up and down. My little sister, Tolu, lay there so small under the white blanket. Tubes everywhere. Her face was pale, her lips dry. "Miss Okafor," Dr. Ike said behind me. His voice was tired. "I’m sorry. Without the surgery in 48 hours, we will have to pull the plug." My knees gave out. I grabbed the edge of Tolu’s bed. "How much?" My voice cracked. "20 million naira." 20 million. I had 120 thousand in my account. I laughed, but it sounded more like a sob. "Doctor, please. Just one more week. I’ll find it." He shook his head. "I’m sorry. The board won’t allow it." The door to the private ward opened and I didn’t look up. I already knew who it was by the smell of expensive cologne and the sound of leather shoes. Only one man walked like he owned the world. "Get out," I whispered without turning. "I heard your sister is dying." Brian Cole. My ex-boyfriend’s older brother. The man who ruined my family 3 years ago. The billionaire CEO who bought half of Lagos and threw the other half away. I stood up slowly. My hands were shaking. "What do you want, Brian?" He looked the same. Black suit, black watch, black eyes. Cold. No mercy. But he was 10 times richer now. "I want to make you an offer." He pulled an envelope from his suit. "20 million. Cash. By tonight." My breath caught. "Why?" "Because I’m feeling generous." His mouth curved, but it wasn’t a smile. "And because I want something in return." I crossed my arms. "I’m not sleeping with you." He laughed. One cold, short sound. "God, no. You’re not my type, Linda." The words cut deeper than they should have. "Then what?" Brian walked closer. He placed the envelope on Tolu’s bedside table. I could see the edge of the contract inside. "Marry me." I stared at him. "Excuse me?" "Marry me. For one year. Contract marriage." He spoke like he was reading from a board report. "You become my wife on paper. You attend events with me. You play the part. In return, I pay for your sister’s surgery and her treatment for the next 5 years." My head was spinning. "That’s insane." "Is it?" He leaned in. He smelled like power and winter. "Your sister dies in 2 days, Linda. Or you sign this and she lives." Tolu made a small sound in her sleep. My baby sister. The only family I had left. My pride meant nothing compared to her breathing. "Why me?" I asked. "You can have any woman in Nigeria." "Because you’re desperate." He was brutally honest. "And because no one will suspect it. You’re the last person I’d ever marry. That makes it perfect." He pulled the contract out. 12 pages. Legal terms I couldn’t understand. CLAUSE 1: No romantic relationship. CLAUSE 2: Separate bedrooms. CLAUSE 3: 1 year term. CLAUSE 4: $50,000 monthly allowance. "There’s also a 5 million naira bonus if you don’t embarrass me," Brian added. "Sign it, and I transfer the money to the hospital now." I looked at Tolu. Then at the pen in his hand. My hands were shaking so bad I could barely hold it. "This is blackmail," I whispered. "This is business." He corrected me. "Do we have a deal, Miss Okafor?" The doctor knocked again. "Miss, we need a decision." I closed my eyes. I thought about Tolu’s laugh. About her calling me "sisi" when she was 5. I signed. L-I-N-D-A O-K-A-F-O-R. The moment the ink dried, Brian took his phone out. "Transfer 20 million to St. Mercy Hospital. Account: Tolu Okafor. Now." 30 seconds later, Dr. Ike’s phone buzzed. He looked at it, then at me, eyes wide. "The payment... it’s here. We can schedule surgery for tomorrow." Tears burned my eyes. I pressed a hand over my mouth. "Congratulations Mrs Cole," Brian said. His voice had no warmth. "The wedding is tonight. 6pm. Courthouse. Don’t be late." He turned to leave. "Brian, wait." I stopped him. "Why are you really doing this?" He paused at the door. For one second, his mask slipped. I saw something tired. Something broken. "Because my father told me to." Then the mask was back. "Be there at 5:30. Wear something decent." And then he was gone. I sank into the chair beside Tolu’s bed and held her small hand. I just sold my life for 20 million naira. I just married the devil to save an angel. And the wedding was in 4 hours.