Billionaire Contract Bride

If she didn't find the money in seventy two hours she would lose everything ,not just her apartment not just her fragile she has built over the years everything. Ava daniels tightend her grip on the patient file as she stood just outside the emergency ward , her pulse racing faster than any monitor sshe had checked all day . Seventy two hours the number echoced in her mind like a countdown she couldn't stop .Her colleague ,tola stood beside her, concern written all over her face.You have been standing here for like five minutes are you ok ,ava inhaled slowly steadying herself i'm fine the lie came out automatically Tola didn't look convinced you don't look fine you have barely eaten anything you have been distracted all shift and .... I said I am fine ,ava cut in just tired tola studied her for a moment then sighed If anything is wrong you can talk to me . Ava noded ,even though she had no intention of saying anything because talking wouldn't fix this nothing would not anymore .It had started a few months ago when her father collapsed unexpectedly ,the diagnosis the endless hospital bills that came faster than she culd earn .She had done everything she could ,taken extra shift,skipped meals,sold what little she had and when it still wasn't enough she borrowed .At that time it felt like the only option now it felt like a noose tightening slowly around her neck the intrest kept growing the calls became threats and today ....today they had come to the hospital her stomach twisted at the memory .Tola ,Ava said said suddenly hmm.. did anyone come for me earliar tola hesitated actually two men and they didn't look like patient relative what did they say not much just asked of you ,when i said you where busy they said they have come back.Tola lowered her voicemava ...who are those people ava forced a calm expression it's nothing serious ,but her heart betrayed her pounding loudly in her chest they didn't look like nothing serious ,tola said ava didn't respond because she new exactly what they look like and what they are capable of . By the time her shift ended ,the sky had turned a deep shade of orange fading slowly into the night ava stepped out of the hospital gates exaustion weighing over every step for a brief moment she allowed herself to hope maybe they wouldn't com maybe her breath caught they where there parked across the street ,leaning against a dark car like they had all the time in the world waiting her feet slowed ,her chest tightend run the thought flashed through her mind but she pushed it away immediately running would only make things worse she straightend her shoulders and walked towards them one of the men noticed her first .he nudged the other ,then both of them focused their attention to her you are harder to find than expected ,the first man said casually .I have been at work, work won't save you the second man chuckled ava swallowed i just need more time the first man steppedclose his expression unreadable you have had time i will pay she said quickly i promise i just need a little longer silence streched between them that's not how it works he said,Ava's pulse spiked please seventy two hours he cut in that's all you have left her heart dropped after that he continued ,his voice lowering slightly ,we stop been patient . A chill ran down her spine i don't have that kind of money she admitted then find it how he shrugged,completely unintrested that's your problem his gave lingered on her for a second longer'something calculating in his eyes there are always ways he added quietly stiffend understanding the implication immediately i'm not doing that she said firmly his lips curved slightly ,then I hope you find another solution .He stepped back signaling the end of the conversation seventy two hours he repeated then they got into the car and drove off leaving behind silence that felt heavier than their presence . Ava didn't remember the walk home her mind was too loud,too crowded with thoughts she couldn't control by the time she reached her apartment her hands were shaking .She unlocked the door and stepped inside ,closing it quickly behind her like she could shut the world out the silence hit her instantly ,oppressive she dropped her bag on the floor and sank onto the couch ,staring blankly ahead think she had to think who could help her no one family ,already strugling friends she couldn't drag them into thisn banks not an option her chest tightend she was running out of time running out of choices her gaze drifted across the small room and stopped there was an envelope on the tableher brows furrowed that hadn't been there before slowly,cautiously she stood and walked towards it no stamp ,no address just her name written across the front AVA DANIELS a strange unease settled settled in her chest who will leave something like this she hesitated then picked it up her fingers trembled sligjtly as she picked it up her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it inside was a single sheet of paper clean precise her eyes moved across the words and everything inside her stiled . CONTRACT PROPOSAL Compensation full settlement of all outstandinng debts condition ; legal marraige Duration ;one year Terms ;maintain the apperance of a perfect marraige Attend all required public function No emotional involvement Failure to colmply wwill result in enforcement of contractual consequences Ava's breath caught marraige her heart began to race again but this time not from fear alone .This was insane it has to be but at the bottom of that paper an address a time tomorrow 8:pm she stared at it her thoughts spiraling this wasn't random it couldn't be whoever sent this knew about her debt knew how desperate she was knew she had no option left her grip tightend on the paper enough to clear all debts she whispered.....the word echoed in her mind freedom safety a way out but at what cost Ava sank back unto the couch ,staring at the contract like it might change if she looked long enough .No emotions she murmured a humorless laugh escaped her lips as if something like this could ever be that simple this wasn't just a deal it felt like a trap a calculated move and somehow she was at the center of it .Her gaze drifted towards the dark window ,her reflection staring back at her seventy two hours now less her options where disapearing fast she looked at the paper again the time ,at the promise of a life she could never afford her jaw tightend she didn't have the luxury of pride anymore slowly she exhaled and made her decision she would go Miles away, in a part of the city she had never stepped into ,lights glowed behind the towering glass walls.Aman stood by the window,overlooking the city like it belonged to him ,cold,still,waiting because this wasn't a contract it was a plan and everything was already in motion Ava's phone buzzed suddenly in her hand.Unknown number her heart skipped as she opened the message don't be late tomorrow ava you have already been chosen