The contract heiress

Chapter 2:Desperation and.demands

Aiden’s Harsh Reply

Olivia leaned against a wall in her hospital room, staring at her phone, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had held out a thin slice of hope that Aiden would demonstrate even a shred of understanding, and at the very least, professionalism, and his response dashed even that bashful optimism.

“You should be grateful that I’m not suing you for damages. Do not expect to be paid for this month’s work.”

She held her hands to keep them from shaking, rereading the italics, word by word, pain sharpening with each one. No paycheck wasn’t just no paycheck — it was no lifeline, no way to come up with money for Sophia’s surgery. And now time was running out, with just four hours left until the operation became critical, sand through her fingers:

Just then, a piercing cry from the bed snapped her back into the moment. Olivia turned and saw Sophia thrashing, her thin body writhing beneath the hospital’s blanket. Olivia’s blood ran cold and panic bubbled up in her chest as she sprinted toward her sister.

“Sophia!” she shouted, clutching her hand tightly. “Stay with me, please!”

The beeping from the monitor next to the bed issued a frantic tone, its piercing sound piercing a cramped space. Frantically, Olivia hit the emergency button, hoping someone would come soon. A nurse burst in within seconds, the doctor trailing behind.

“What’s happening?! ” Olivia cried, her voice trembling with fear.

The nurse struggled to stabilize Sophia, but the seizures persisted. The doctor examined her for a moment before looking at Olivia, his face grave.

“We have to do it right away,” he said firmly. “Otherwise, she will not make it.”

Olivia’s legs buckled under her. 15 hours left. That’s all they had. Moneyless, optionsless, she felt completely powerless.

“Y — I’ll find a way,” Olivia stuttered, grasping the edge of the bed for balance. “Just … Please keep her stable until then.”

The doctor nodded curtly and waved to the nurses to get Sophia ready for surgery. Olivia was frozen in place as they wheeled her away, her heart beating like crazy. She had no option but to act quickly.

A Distant Aunt’s Rejection

And desperation was what dragged Olivia out into the frozen night. Her mind raced to distant relatives, an aunt who had lived on the outskirts of town — an estranged family member she hadn’t seen in years. It made for a long shot but was the one lead she had.

By the time she reached the estate, the rain had started, drenching her clothing and weighing her down. Braving the chill, Olivia rapped sharply on the door. After what seemed like an eternity, it creaked open to reveal a woman in her sixties, clad impeccably in silk robes.

“Who are you?” the aunt said sharply, narrowing her eyes.

“It’s me, Olivia,” she answered, shivering. “Your niece. I need your help—”

As the woman searched for the right words, the woman scoffed with disdain. “Oh, so you’re the daughter of Evelyn? What do you want?”

“My sister is dying,” Olivia blurted, desperation taking precedence over politeness. “She requires surgery, and I cannot afford it. Please, I just need a loan—”

“A loan?” the aunt cut in, contempt dripping from her voice. “Do you think I have money to waste on failures like you? Your mother made bad decisions, and obviously, you’re no better than her. Get off my property before I call security.”

Humiliated and crushed, Olivia backed away as the door slammed in her face. Rain drizzled, mingling with her tears as she trudged back toward home. Her footfalls grew heavy at every portage, her hopes dashed under the weight of denial.

Eviction Notice

But when Olivia arrived at her apartment complex, the scene that met her eyes left her stunned. Their less movable stuff — boxes, furniture, everything — were smeared incock-eyed all over outside in the pouring rain. An eviction notice stuck to the front door flapped wildly in the wind.

“No…” Olivia said, dropping to her knees. Her landlord loomed nearby, arms crossed, glaring at her with unmasked disdain.

“You had two months to pay this,” he spat. “Don’t come back without cash.”

Olivia didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her entire world had fallen apart. With no job, no money, no place to go, she was completely defeated.

Huddled in the rain as lightning flashed across the sky, Olivia sat waiting in the wreckage of her life. She cried for the first time — not just for herself, but for Sophia, for their struggles, for the cruel unfairness of it all.

Aiden’s Family Dinner

Elsewhere, miles away, Aiden Taylor was seated stiffly at the head of an ornate dining table, pushing his food around without appetite. His parents, both elegant and commanding, stared at him expectantly.

“So,” his father started, taking a frothy sip of wine, “how was today’s meeting?”

Aiden bit his jaw, and his fork clattered as he set it down. “It didn’t happen. We lost the contract.”

His mother raised an eyebrow. “Lost it? How?”

“Because of incompetence,” Aiden said, irritation seeping through. “My assistant quit, and the investors walked out the door.”

“Lack of leadership or incompetence?” his father retorted, his tone sharp. “You’re 30 years old, Aiden. When are you going to own your life?”

Aiden bristled. “I’m the owner of a one billion dollar company. Isn’t that enough?”

“No, it’s not,” his father said firmly. “Because until you settle the f**k down and show you can manage something more than a business, you’ll always be in a subordinate position to this company for control.”

Aiden bristled, pressing forward. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” his father went on, “that you will receive the remaining shares and full control of Taylor Enterprises if, in the next three months, you bring home an actual wife, not some catalog model, but a life partner.” Otherwise, we will continue to supervise your decision-making.”

Aiden stared at him, stunned. Marriage? He didn’t believe in love, much less the institution itself. And yet here he was, being pushed into it by the very people he hated the most.

“That’s preposterous,” Aiden said, rising suddenly. “I’m not doing this to please you.

His father shrugged, indifferent. “And so consider your inheritance revoked. The choice is yours.”

Then Aiden stormed off from the dining room, rage boiling under his formal behaviour. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew his father’s mind would not be changed on this. But marriage? To whom? And how?

Back in the hospital, Olivia huddled under a thin blanket borrowed from the staff, attempting to warm her drenched body. Her mind teemed with possibilities, none of which seemed remotely viable.

Then her phone buzzed again. She had almost not checked it, thinking it was another harrowing message from Aiden.

Instead, she discovered a singular text message from an unfamiliar number:

“See you in my office tomorrow morning. Come alone.”

Olivia stared at the screen, bewildered. Who was this? And why now?

She was too exhausted, she thought. She had no other choice. Whatever would happen tomorrow, she would face it — for Sophia’s sake.