Claimed by the Cold Manhattan Billionaire

The doctor didn’t look me in the eye when he said it " We need the payment now." Not later,Not tomorrow but Now.The word hit harder than the rain pouring outside the hospital windows. I tightened my grip on the file in my hand, my voice shaking despite my effort to stay calm. " I told you...I'm working on it.Just give me more time.” “There is no more time,” he replied, already turning away like my pain meant nothing. “Wait!” I stepped forward, panic rising in my chest. “Please he’s my father. You can’t just stop his treatment!” He paused, then sighed. "If we don’t receive the deposit within the next few hours, we’ll have no choice.” No choice that sounds funny to me because I didn't have one either. By the time I stepped out of the hospital, my world had already started collapsing. The rain soaked through my clothes, but I didn’t feel it..All I could see was my father lying on that hospital bed looking weak and barely breathing. Standing next to him makes me feel useless.But then my phone buzzed. I almost ignored it but I resist and looked at it..Unknown Number. I hesitated then answered. “Hello?” there was a silence.Then a man’s voice sounding Low, Calm and Dangerous utter the sentence..."If you want your father to live,come to Lugard Tower.” My heart skipped. “What?” I questioned “Top floor. Now.” He respond and the line went dead. I should have known better.I should have stayed away. But desperation is louder than fear. Lugard Tower stood like a king in the middle of Manhattan.Cold and Untouchable just like the man who owned it. My reflection stared back at me through the glass doors looking soaked, tired, broken. "I didn’t belong here." But I walked in anyway. Everything inside screamed money. Clean marble floors. Silent workers. Eyes that judged without speaking. The receptionist didn’t even ask my name.She simply picked up the phone and said“She’s here.”Then pointed to the elevator. By the time I reached the top floor, my heart was racing. Everything about this felt wrong...The door was already open and he was there standing with his back to me, staring at the city like it belonged to him.Tall.Still and Controlled. “Close the door.”He said and I froze.His voice wasn’t loud. But it carried power.The kind that didn’t need to shout. I closed it quietly. “I got your message,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “Who are you?” He turned and just like that,the air changed. Damien Lugard. I didn’t need an introduction.Everyone knew him; The billionaire who built his empire with zero mercy.The man people feared more than they respected. And now i was standing in front of him. “I don’t like repeating myself,” he said calmly. “Sit.” “I’d rather stand.”Something flickered in his eyes.Amusement. A dangerous amusement at that. “You’re in no position to negotiate,” he said. My jaw tightened. “Then stop talking like I have a choice.” Silence.Then he smiled.Not warm.Not cool.But Cold. “Good,” he said. “I prefer honesty.” He dropped a file on the table.“Your father is dying.” My breath caught.“I know that.” and “I can save him.” Hope sparked in my chest.Then died just as quickly. Because nothing about him felt like kindness. “What do you want?” I asked. Straight to the point.No fear left to hide behind. He walked closer.Each step slow.Calculated. Like he was already in control of everything. “Your life,” he said simply. My stomach dropped.“What?” He slid a document toward me."Sign it.”My hands trembled as I looked down then froze. Marriage Contract. “No” I whispered, shaking my head. “This is insane.” “Is it?” he asked calmly. “You expect me to marry you?!” “I expect you to make a decision.” “This isn’t a decision!” “It is,” he said. “Your father lives or he dies.” Tears burned my eyes."You’re blackmailing me.” “I’m offering you a solution.” I stepped back."I won’t do this.”and turned toward the door. “Walk out,” his voice cut through the air, calm and deadly, “and I’ll make one call.”My body froze. “What call?” I whispered. “The one that ends your father’s treatment.”The room spun. “You wouldn’t.”His silence answered me. My legs felt weak.My chest tight. “You’re a monster,” I said. “No,” he replied quietly. “I’m a businessman.” The pen sat on the table.Waiting just like my fate. My hand shook as I picked it up. “This doesn’t mean anything,” I whispered. “It means everything,” he corrected. I signed.The moment I dropped the pen, something changed.His gaze darkened.Possessive.Final. He stepped closer...His fingers tilted my chin up. Forcing me to look at him. “From this moment,” Damien Lugard said softly, “You belong to me.”