A CONTRACT TO LOVE

AN UNEXPECTED DECLARATION

Ethan stood in his small, modest kitchen, his jaw clenched as Anna sipped her tea at the dining table with an air of entitlement. The woman had barged into his home uninvited, claiming her mother had arranged for her to have dinner with him and his family.

“My mom said your mother invited me,” Anna said dismissively, twirling a strand of her hair. “She mentioned you live alone, so I thought I’d grace you with my presence.”

Ethan frowned, crossing his arms. “You humiliated me earlier. Now you’re here pretending nothing happened?”

Anna waved her hand nonchalantly. “That was a misunderstanding. Besides, I thought about it—maybe it’s not so bad having someone like you. You’re simple, agreeable, and would probably do anything for me.”

Ethan's eyes narrowed. “I don’t appreciate being talked down to, Anna. This isn’t going to work.”

She raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with a smug smile. “Oh, please. Men like you don’t get to be picky. You should be thankful someone like me is even considering giving you attention.”

The insult stung, but Ethan refused to let it show. His military training had taught him restraint, but Anna’s arrogance was testing his limits.

“My life isn’t a charity case,” Ethan replied firmly.

Anna leaned back with a scoff. “Really? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re living paycheck to paycheck. You’re a gynecology nurse, for crying out loud. How do you expect to keep someone like me happy?”

Ethan clenched his fists but remained calm. “I’m not interested in keeping someone happy who doesn’t respect me.”

Anna smirked. “Respect? That’s rich coming from someone who could barely afford this dinner.” She gestured to the modest spread of food Ethan’s mother had lovingly prepared before heading out for the evening.

Before Ethan could respond, Anna continued, her voice dripping with mockery. “If you want to date someone like me, there are rules. First, I need a luxury car. Second, expensive gifts are mandatory—jewelry, designer bags, the works. And third, I expect you to listen and obey. That’s the only way a guy like you can hope to hold onto a woman as beautiful and successful as me.”

Ethan stared at her in disbelief. “You’re serious?”

Anna’s smug grin widened. “Dead serious. You think women like me fall for looks or charm? No. It’s about status, money, and power. And frankly, you don’t have any of those.”

Ethan took a deep breath, his voice steady despite his growing frustration. “Anna, I think you should leave.”

She laughed, a shrill, mocking sound that grated against his nerves. “Leave? Oh, no. I’m staying for dinner. Your mom invited me, after all.”

Ethan opened his mouth to respond when the doorbell rang, cutting through the tension like a knife.

“Are you expecting someone?” Anna asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan shook his head and made his way to the door. He opened it to reveal a sight that left him momentarily speechless.

Standing on his doorstep was Sophia, the woman he had saved earlier that day. She was dressed impeccably in a tailored white coat, her assistant standing beside her, holding a box wrapped in luxurious gold paper.

Ethan blinked. “Sophia?”

Sophia smiled warmly. “Good evening, Ethan. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Before Ethan could respond, Anna appeared behind him, her arms crossed and her expression irritated.

“Who’s this?” Anna demanded, looking Sophia up and down with thinly veiled disdain.

Sophia’s eyes flicked to Anna briefly before returning to Ethan. “I came to see you,” she said, her voice calm and confident. “May I come in?”

Ethan hesitated, caught off guard by her sudden appearance. “Uh, sure. Please, come in.”

Sophia stepped inside, her assistant following closely behind. The small living room suddenly felt crowded as Sophia’s poised elegance contrasted starkly with the room’s modest décor.

Anna’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know who you think you are, but we’re in the middle of something.”

Sophia turned to Anna, her expression polite but firm. “And you are?”

“I’m his date,” Anna declared smugly. “And who are you?”

Sophia’s smile didn’t waver. “I’m Sophia Carter. And I’m here for Ethan.”

The room fell silent, Anna’s jaw dropping slightly in disbelief.

“For Ethan?” Anna repeated, her voice laced with incredulity. “You’re joking, right? What could someone like you possibly want with him?”

Sophia ignored the jab, turning to Ethan. “I came to thank you properly for what you did earlier. And I have a proposition I’d like to discuss with you.”

Ethan frowned, glancing between Sophia and Anna. “Proposition?”

Sophia nodded. “But first, I’d like to apologize for interrupting your evening.”

Anna crossed her arms, her tone hostile. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here uninvited. Ethan doesn’t need anything from you.”

Sophia raised an eyebrow, her composure unshaken. “I’ll let Ethan decide that.”

Ethan cleared his throat, feeling the tension in the room rise. “Sophia, why don’t we step outside and talk?”

Sophia nodded gracefully. “Of course.”

Ethan grabbed his jacket and followed her to the porch, leaving Anna fuming inside.

Once outside, Ethan turned to Sophia, his confusion evident. “What’s this all about?”

Sophia looked at him, her expression sincere. “I’ve been thinking about what happened earlier. You didn’t have to step in, but you did. And that says a lot about your character.”

Ethan shrugged. “Anyone would have done the same.”

“Not everyone,” Sophia replied. “Which is why I want to make you an offer.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “An offer?”

Sophia hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I need a husband, Ethan. And I think you might be the perfect candidate.”

Ethan stared at her, stunned. “You’re serious?”

Sophia nodded. “Completely. It’s a long story, but my family has certain expectations. If I don’t marry soon, I risk losing everything I’ve worked for. I need someone I can trust, someone who won’t take advantage of me. And after today, I think you’re that person.”

Ethan shook his head, trying to process her words. “Sophia, we barely know each other.”

“That’s true,” Sophia admitted. “But I’m willing to take the time to change that. All I’m asking is that you consider it.”

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This is... a lot to take in.”

“I understand,” Sophia said softly. “Take your time. But please, think about it.”

As they stood in the cool night air, the door creaked open, and Anna stormed out, her face red with anger.

“What is this, Ethan?” she demanded, her voice rising. “Are you seriously considering whatever this woman is offering?”

Sophia turned to Anna, her expression calm but steely. “This is a private conversation.”

Anna scoffed. “Not when it involves someone I’m interested in!”

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Anna, please—”

But before he could finish, Sophia’s assistant stepped forward, holding out the gold-wrapped box.

“This is for you,” the assistant said to Ethan, ignoring Anna’s protests.

Ethan hesitated before taking the box, glancing at Sophia questioningly.

“Open it later,” Sophia said with a small smile. “And remember what I said.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing there with the box in his hands and Anna fuming beside him.

Ethan opened the box that night, only to find something inside that could change the course of his life forever.