Dark Days
818 Words
Khan wrapped her hands around the warm coffee cup, staring at the steam curling from the surface. She didn’t know why, but the simple gesture made her chest feel tight.
Liam wasn’t the type to express things with words. He didn’t offer empty comforts or pretend to understand emotions he didn’t want to deal with.
But he had been here. And more than that—he had stayed.
She took a slow sip of the coffee, the warmth spreading through her, before glancing at her phone.
Liam: I’ll be back soon. Don’t leave without me.
Khan huffed, shaking her head. Typical Liam.
Hours passed, and Mei remained stable, but her condition hadn’t improved.
Khan sat by her bedside, watching her little sister sleep, her fingers gently tracing patterns on the hospital sheets.
This wasn’t the life she had wanted for Mei.
She had promised, sworn, that she’d take care of her—that she’d give her the future their parents never got to see.
But with every moment that passed, it felt like that future was slipping further away.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
She turned to see Sophie standing there, holding a bag of takeout.
“Khan,” Sophie said softly, stepping inside. “Figured you might not have eaten.”
Khan blinked, momentarily stunned. “Sophie? What—how did you know?”
Sophie scoffed, setting the bag down. “I’m your best friend, remember? You think I wouldn’t keep track of my girl?”
Khan let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
Sophie sat beside her, squeezing her hand. “How’s Mei?”
Khan swallowed hard. “She’s fighting. But… I don’t know how much longer she can.”
Sophie’s face softened. “And you? How are you holding up?”
Khan let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “I’m tired, Soph.”
Sophie studied her for a moment before reaching into the bag and pulling out a container. “Eat first. Cry later.”
Khan let out a weak chuckle. “You always know what to say.”
“That’s why I’m your best friend.”
As they ate, Sophie glanced at the hospital room door. “So… where’s your billionaire husband?”
Khan sighed. “Out handling something. He’ll be back soon.”
Sophie arched a brow. “He’s been staying with you?”
Khan hesitated, then nodded.
Something flickered in Sophie’s eyes—surprise. “Huh.”
Khan narrowed her gaze. “What?”
Sophie smirked. “Nothing. Just… I didn’t think he’d actually care.”
Khan stiffened. “He doesn’t. It’s just… you know, for the contract. Keeping up appearances.”
Sophie gave her a look. “Right.”
Khan scowled. “It is.”
Sophie held up her hands in surrender. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”
But the knowing smile on her face was annoying.
And the worst part? Khan wasn’t sure if Sophie was wrong.
That night, as Khan sat by Mei’s side, she heard a commotion outside the hospital room.
She turned just as Liam strode in—furious.
Her brows shot up. “What—?”
He grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward the door.
“Liam, what the hell?” she protested.
He didn’t answer until they were outside the room, the door shut behind them.
Then, in a voice low with barely contained anger, he said, “Harold just called the hospital.”
Khan’s stomach dropped. “What?”
Liam clenched his jaw. “He knows about Mei.”
Her breath caught. “How?”
Liam ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Does it matter? The point is, he’s using it. He’s going to spin this against us.”
Khan’s hands balled into fists. Of course.
Harold would never miss an opportunity to make her life harder.
Liam’s blue eyes burned with something dangerous. “He’s going to call a press conference tomorrow. He’ll paint this as some kind of emotional manipulation, like you married me for my money, and now that your sister is in the hospital, you’re cashing in.”
Khan’s stomach twisted. “That’s not true.”
Liam’s expression darkened. “I know that. But the media won’t care.”
Khan swallowed hard. “So what do we do?”
Liam exhaled, his jaw tight. Then, suddenly, he looked at her, something unreadable in his gaze.
“We make it real.”
Khan blinked. “What?”
Liam took a step closer, his voice low. Serious. “Harold wants to paint you as a gold digger. We don’t let him. We show them something he can’t manipulate.”
Khan’s pulse hammered. “And that is?”
Liam’s eyes searched hers. “Us.”
Khan’s breath caught.
Oh.
And just like that, she realized—this contract marriage was about to become something far more dangerous.
- Writer
