Chapter 6: The Choice
503 Words
The check was still in my hand when I got back to the office.
8 zeros.
Enough for my mom’s surgery.
Enough to pay off debt.
Enough to disappear.
Enough to break a promise I made yesterday at a press conference.
“Aiden to see you.” The secretary said.
I walked into his office. Vanessa’s perfume was still in the air.
He was standing by the window. No suit jacket. Tie loose.
He looked tired.
“You went to see her.” It wasn’t a question.
“How did you—”
“I know everything that happens in this building, Zuri.” He turned. “What did she say?”
I pulled the envelope out. Slid it across his desk.
He opened it. His jaw clenched.
“8 million.” He said quietly. “To leave.”
I nodded. Couldn’t speak.
Aiden walked to me. Took my hand. The one with the ring.
“Did you say yes?”
My throat was dry. “I haven’t decided.”
He flinched. Like I’d slapped him.
“Right. It’s a lot of money.” He let go. “I get it.”
“It’s not about the money!” The words came out louder than I meant.
“Then what is it about?” He stepped closer. “Because 2 days ago you said ‘with you’. At the press conference. In front of the whole world.”
“Because I meant it.” I whispered. “But Aiden, she’s your fiancée. The merger. Leo. The company. I’m just... the contract.”
“You’re not just anything.” He grabbed my shoulders. “The contract is burned. Remember? We’re doing this for real. For the twins. For us.”
Tears burned my eyes. “What if she ruins us? What if the board fires you?”
“Then they fire me.” He said it so simply. “I’d rather be broke with you than rich lying to everyone.”
My phone buzzed.
Mom: `Hospital called. Surgery can be next week if we pay deposit.`
I closed my eyes.
“Aiden.”
“Yeah?”
“I need 24 hours.”
He nodded slowly. Hurt flickered in his eyes but he hid it.
“Take it. But Zuri... choose us. Please.”
---
I didn’t go home. I went to the hospital.
Mom was asleep. Machines beeping.
The doctor pulled me aside. “We need $200,000 deposit by Friday or we lose the slot.”
Friday. The same day Vanessa gave me.
I sat in the waiting room and cried.
For my mom. For the twins. For the man who said he’d choose me even if it cost him everything.
My phone rang. Unknown number.
“24 hours starts now.” Vanessa’s voice. Sweet. Deadly.
“Tick tock, Zuri.”
Click.
I looked at the check in my bag.
Then I looked at my ring.
Two choices.
Money that saves my mom.
Or love that might destroy us all.
What would you choose?
- Writer
