Chapter 2
459 Words
An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
Ami's fingers trembled as she held the contract.
One year.
A fake marriage.
Enough money to save her mother and erase every debt that had haunted her for months.
None of it felt real.
"There has to be another way," she whispered.
Evans leaned back in his chair, his expression as cold as polished steel. "If there were, I wouldn't have called you."
"But... why me?" Ami asked. "We've never met."
"We have," he replied. "You just don't remember."
His answer only confused her more.
Evans stood and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Without turning around, he said, "I don't need love. I don't need affection. I need a wife on paper. Someone who won't interfere with my business or ask unnecessary questions."
Ami frowned.
"And after one year?"
"You walk away with enough money to start over."
She looked down at the contract again. Every page seemed heavier than the last.
"What if I refuse?"
Evans finally turned to face her.
"Then you leave this office, and our paths never cross again."
His voice wasn't threatening. It was calm.
That somehow made it even scarier.
Ami's phone suddenly rang.
It was the hospital.
Her heart skipped a beat as she answered.
"Hello?"
"Miss Ami," the nurse said gently. "Your mother's condition has become unstable. She needs another procedure as soon as possible. We're sorry, but treatment can't continue until part of the outstanding balance is paid."
Ami felt the blood drain from her face.
"I... I'll find the money."
"We hope so. Please come as soon as you can."
The call ended.
She lowered the phone slowly, fighting back tears.
Evans had heard every word.
Without saying anything, he picked up a pen and placed it beside the contract.
"The choice is yours."
Silence filled the office.
Ami remembered her mother's tired smile and the promise she had made.
"No matter what happens, I'll take care of you."
She closed her eyes.
"I have one condition," she said quietly.
Evans raised an eyebrow.
"My mother must never know this marriage is fake."
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes. It disappeared almost instantly.
"Agreed."
Ami took a deep breath.
Then, with shaking hands, she signed her name.
The moment the ink touched the paper, Evans signed his own without hesitation.
He extended his hand.
"Welcome to the agreement, Mrs. Kingston."
Ami looked at his outstretched hand before slowly taking it.
His grip was firm, steady... and unexpectedly warm.
Neither of them noticed the figure standing outside the office, watching through the slightly open door.
The mysterious woman smiled as she snapped a picture of the handshake.
"Perfect," she whispered.
"This is exactly the scandal I've been waiting for."
- Writer
