Bound by the billionaire’s contract

Hospital scene

Arianna’s mind went blank. The nurse’s words cleared every thought from her head. Her lips parted. Fear rushed through her chest.

“What happened to my father?” Arianna asked. Her voice broke with weakness.

“Your father's vital signs are dropping, Miss Arianna. We must perform the surgery within forty-eight hours,” the nurse said.

“Forty-eight hours.” Arianna repeated. Her breath stopped, Samantha held her from the back telling her to be strong. She wanted to shout and demand why she has to face all these but she swallowed hard.

“Samatha did you hear, just forty-eight hours.” Arianna said, her eyes were watery and had turned red. She held on tight to the collar of her blouse, forcing herself to remain calm.

At that moment, Arianna’s cracked phone vibrated. A message popped up: RENT DUE: TWO DAYS LEFT TO MAKE PAYMENT.

Her face turned pale. Hope drained away. Samantha saw the look, grabbed the phone from Arianna, and read the notice.

“You cannot waste more time, Arianna. Call Grayson now.”

Arianna shook her head. “I can’t.”

“The twenty-four hours he gave are not yet up. If I call him now, he will know I need him more.”

Samantha crossed her arms. “Forget your pride, if you want to save your father. You must sacrifice for the people you love.”

Arianna took a deep breath. She searched her bag for the card Grayson gave her, but it was gone. She searched her mini purse, and the zip side of the bag but still couldn’t find it. Fear gripped her chest. “I cannot find the card, Samantha.”

“What?” Samantha shouted. She emptied the bag and shook it. The card did not fall out. She glared at Arianna. “Are you sure you put it inside?”

“Yes, I put it inside before we stood up,” Arianna said. Her voice shook. Her mind spun in confusion. The card was her only link to Grayson.

They ran back to the place where they had been sitting, but the card was nowhere to be found. They felt relieved when they saw a little boy playing with the card. Samantha approached the kid, snatched it, and pressed it into Arianna’s hand. “I am sure it fell off when you were putting it inside the bag."

Arianna pulled out her phone from the bag. Her fingers shook as she dialed. A sharp beep cut through the air. She had no credit. Her heart sank.

“What do I do now? ” Arianna said to Samantha as her lips trembled.

“Here, use mine,” Samantha said, pushing her phone into Arianna’s hand. But before Arianna could dial, her own phone buzzed again. The screen showed her neighbor’s name. Her face froze.

She answered the call.

“Arianna, listen. Mr. Lucio’s men came to my place. They asked for you.” His voice shook. “I had no choice but to say you were at the hospital. I’m sorry, Arianna. They beat me up and almost shot me.”

The phone was on loudspeaker. Samantha heard it all. She grabbed Arianna’s hand and gave her the phone. “Call Grayson now.”

Arianna dialed with shaking fingers. The first time, no one picked up. She tried the second time. This time, Grayson answered.

“It’s Arianna,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.

“Ten o’clock,” Grayson said coldly.

“Now please, ” Arianna begged. Her voice cracked.

Grayson let out a short laugh and then agreed. He sent her the location.

Arianna rushed from the hospital and headed to his company. By the time she arrived, her face looked drained. At the desk, she gave her name.

“Mr. Grayson is expecting you. Be quick. He hates delays,” the receptionist said.

At the hospital, Mr. Lucio’s men stormed inside. One saw Samantha and demanded to know where Arianna was.

When she refused, the leader slapped her across the face. Samantha stood tall. She would not betray Arianna. Another man grabbed her wrist, but she tore her hand free.

The noise drew the guards. One stepped forward. “You will not abuse anyone here!” he shouted. The guards forced the men out.

Samantha still shook when the doctor came over. “Where is Arianna?” he asked. Since Arianna was gone, Samantha followed him to the office.

“Good news,” the doctor said with a smile and hope on his face. “We have found a donor.”

At that same time, Arianna reached Grayson’s office. She paused at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

“Come in,” Grayson said.

She entered the cold and intimidating office. Grayson pointed to the chair opposite his desk.

“Sit.”

He pulled a document from his drawer immediately and slid it across the desk.

“One-year contract marriage. I pay your father’s bills and give you what you need. In return, you obey my rules,” Grayson said.

Arianna stared at the paper. Her throat grew tight. “And if I refuse?” she asked.

Then your father suffers in that hospital bed. Your father dies,” Grayson said with a sharp voice. Arianna’s chest ached. She slammed her hand on the desk. “Do you think I want this? Do you think this is easy for me?”

Grayson leaned back, his eyes glinted in amusement. “Do you think I care whether it’s easy for you? What matters is that you are sitting in front of me, begging.”

Grayson’s voice turned sharper “If you weren't ready, why are you here? I hate people who waste my time.” His pride filled the room like smoke.

The air grew heavy. Then he leaned back, calm this time around. “Enough. Are you going to sign or not?”

Arianna’s hands shook. She reached for the paper. “I will read the first page first,” she whispered.

“At least you have some sense,” Grayson muttered. He called his lawyer. The man entered, set his briefcase down, and waited. Arianna’s eyes scanned the first two lines.

Suddenly, gunshots rang outside. Everyone froze.

Grayson grabbed his phone and called his secretary to check what was going on.

Just then, a harsh voice rolled out, echoing through the room.

“Arianna, come out. I know you are here.”