His accidental wife

Chapter six—The proposal.

The days sped by for Isabelle. Work, hospital, and school were her routine, until her body felt like it was breaking, but she didn’t stop.

Her mother’s condition wasn’t improving, and the bills only grew heavier.

Sometimes she would feel like screaming or giving up, but then she would look at her mother’s frail face and somehow, the strength to keep pushing would return.

Every day of her life felt like a cycle of struggle, and she thought it would never end.

But fate had other plans, it decided to smile on her.

That fateful day, Isabelle was in her mother’s room, when a nurse informed her someone wanted to see her at the hospital waiting room.

She tried thinking of who would want to see her, and when she couldn’t come up with anything, she decided to go and see for herself.

When she got to the waiting room, she froze. It was the man from the lobby the other day. She still remembered it like yesterday, his voice when he said— careless.

He wore a dark suit, his eyes cold and unreadable. He looked like he didn’t want to be here, yet here he was, standing right in front of her.

Her lips parted before she could stop herself. “You…”

Jayden had an unreadable expression. He stood up, and walked towards her slowly, his presence filling the space until Isabelle felt her body pinned against the cold hospital wall.

“Miss Bennett,” he said calmly.

Her heart trembled. How does he know my name?

“How do you know my name,” Isabelle said quickly, hugging her arms across her chest. “Please… what do you want from m—me ”

“I know everything,” Jayden cut in, his voice firm but not harsh. “I know about your mother’s bills. I know you’re drowning, working yourself to death for peanuts. I know you’re in need.”

Her eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat. “Are you stalking me?”

“No.” His answer was simple, almost cold. “I asked someone to find out everything about you. And what I found…” His gaze lingered on her face. “…confirmed that you’re exactly what I need.”

Isabelle frowned, shaken. “What do you need? What are you even talking about?”

“Can we go somewhere more private so we can talk?”He said.

Isabelle agreed even though her mind was screaming at her not to.

Jayden took her to his office, and when they sat down, he told her his offer.

Jayden chose his words carefully, conveying his message efficiently. His voice was calm, almost businesslike. “Marriage. A contract marriage. You’ll be my wife on paper. In return, your mother’s bills will be paid. Completely.”

His words hit her hard. Isabelle blinked, shaking her head as if she didn’t hear him clearly. “Marriage?“ That’s insane.

“This is insane”, I whispered.

Jayden leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow raised. His sharp blue eyes not leaving mine.” insane” he said calmly. “But it gets the problem fixed”.

A knot formed in my stomach. He was serious. He wasn’t joking at all. This wasn’t a test either. He wanted me to marry him.

“And why me?”I forced the words, my voice barely audible.

A hint of a smile played on his lips, but he didn’t smile.”Because you need the money, and I need a wife. It’s as simple as that.”

I bit down on my lip to distract myself from the pain I felt in my chest. He was very right. He knew I was in desperate need of money. He knew I couldn’t walk away from the offer.

“This isn’t romance, so don’t even think about it, “he said, his tone icy. “So don’t think of falling in love, that’s not what you’re here for. You’re here to play a role. My wife —in-name and papers only.”

I should have gotten angry when he said that. I should have walked away. But instead, my mind went to my mum. Her pale figure was lying on the hospital bed. The sound of her weak breathing. The unpaid bills waiting at home and the list of debtors on my neck.

This marriage contract wasn’t about me. It was about saving my mum.

“What happens if I say no?”I asked, even when I already knew the answer.

Jayden’s expression didn’t change, he still had a hint of a smile on his face.”Then you leave with nothing. And you lose everything.”

His words hit harder than a slap. He wasn’t being aggressive, he was just stating the fact. A cruel one I had no escape from.

My fingers lingered above the pen lying beside the contract. My hands shook so badly I had to curl them into fists to make it stop.

“I’ll make sure you get everything you need.”Jayden said, his voice calm and confident.”Money, security, luxury, and comfort, just name it. In return, I get a wife. It's that simple. Do you understand?”

My throat was tight, and I couldn’t speak. But I already knew my answer.

I had no other choice.

And after that single moment, her life had split in two—the past where she had nothing, and the future where everything would change.

That was how it began.

The desperate girl.

The cold billionaire.

The deal that would bind them.

And it was this moment—this impossible proposal—that led Isabelle to the very table where she had already signed her name, sealing her fate.

The contract was done. But the story had only just begun.

Flash back ends…..