The Billionaire's Fatal Secret

03

Lisa's POV

I arrived at the private conference room ten minutes early.

I brought a folder containing Kendra’s medical records, our financial documents, copies of our identification cards, and every piece of information that could prove how desperate our situation had become. If necessary, I was prepared to beg. If begging was the only way to keep my sister alive, then I would swallow my pride and do it.

The door opened, and two men entered.

I recognized the first one immediately. I had seen his face in business articles and news reports, though I had never paid much attention to him before.

Sebastian Blackwood. Twenty-eight years old. Billionaire. CEO of Blackwood Industries.

He looked young for someone who had built an empire before turning thirty, but there was nothing youthful about the way he carried himself. He walked into the room with complete confidence, his expression controlled as his eyes settled on me. The man behind him introduced himself as Adrian, his lawyer, before taking a position beside him.

I stood. “Mr. Blackwood.”

“Ms. Walker.”

Sebastian gestured toward the chair. “Please sit.”

I sat across from him while he took the seat opposite mine. Adrian remained standing beside him.

“I was told you're familiar with my sister's case,” I said.

“My foundation is already reviewing her case.”

“And they’re willing to help?”

Adrian glanced at Sebastian before answering. “We're here to discuss an arrangement.”

My brows drew together. “What kind of arrangement?”

I immediately felt uneasy. Something about it made me suspicious, yet I couldn't stop myself from wondering what they were offering.

Sebastian reached for a folder on the table and placed it in front of me.

“You need approximately two million dollars for your sister's transplant and subsequent treatment. Is that correct?”

“More than two million,” I corrected. “The final amount depends on her recovery and how long she needs treatment.”

“I know.”

I looked at him carefully. “So you're going to help us?”

“Of course. Two million is a small amount for me, Ms. Walker.”

The way he said it made me feel small. To him, two million dollars was nothing.

I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought about his arrogance, but I held my tongue. Whatever I felt about Sebastian Blackwood didn't matter right now. Kendra needed the money, and I wasn't going to let my pride get in the way of saving her.

I forced a polite smile and opened the folder.

I expected to see a medical assistance agreement or some kind of financial proposal. Instead, the first page made me stop.

MARRIAGE AGREEMENT.

I stared at it for several seconds before slowly looking up. “What is this?”

“My proposal.”

My mouth fell open slightly. “You want me to marry you?”

“For twelve months.”

I stared at him, trying to see whether he was serious.

“You brought me here because you want to use me as a solution to your problem?”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “Ms. Walker, I need you. You need me. That's the nature of this arrangement.”

His calm response only made my anger worse.

He continued, “Do you honestly believe you can afford your sister’s treatment without help from someone in my position?”

I stood, unable to hide the disgust towards him. “Mr. Blackwood, if helping my sister is genuinely the intention behind this contract, then I would at least understand the arrangement. I might even consider it.” I placed my hand over the folder. “But what I won't accept is being insulted and looked down on simply because I'm desperate.”

His expression tightened. “What would you prefer me to say?” he asked. “That I want to marry you because I suddenly want romance?”

I gave him a cold look. “You need a wife to play the role of a happy husband and pretend you have a perfect little home?” I pushed the contract back toward him. “You picked the wrong woman, Mr. Blackwood.”

Sebastian looked toward his lawyer. “See, Adrian? I told you this was a bad idea.”

Adrian sighed. “You also agreed to it.”

“Because you suggested it.”

“I just suggested finding someone who would accept a mutually beneficial arrangement. You're the one who approved it, remember?”

I looked between them. “Are you two seriously arguing about this?”

Adrian straightened and turned his attention to me. “Ms. Walker, I understand how this looks.”

“Oh, do you?” I asked, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice.

“Yes. But there are circumstances you aren't aware of.” He paused before continuing. “Mr. Blackwood needs to maintain a stable marital status for a minimum of twelve months because of conditions attached to a major corporate merger. If he fails to fulfill that condition, the consequences could affect the entire transaction.”

I looked at Sebastian. “You're telling me a five-hundred-million-dollar business deal requires you to be married, and you decided the solution was to marry me?”

“I decided to find someone willing to enter a legal arrangement that benefits both parties. That’s all.”

Adrian stepped in, as if trying to prevent Sebastian from making the situation worse. “Mr. Blackwood did not intend to insult you. He was simply stating the fact that—”

“My sister is dying, and I can do nothing to save her.” My voice broke, but I forced myself to keep it steady. “Is that the fact you're all trying to put right in front of my face?”

I looked down at the contract again before closing the folder. “You know what? This doesn't benefit me.”

“It does.”

Sebastian pointed toward the document. “I will cover your sister's transplant in full. All medical expenses related to the procedure and her recovery.”

I stared at him.

“You'll also receive long-term medical coverage for Kendra. Her treatment, medication, follow-up consultations, and medically necessary procedures will be covered indefinitely.”

I looked back at the contract. It was more money than I had ever possessed in my entire life. It was everything I had been struggling to find.

I closed the folder again. “You could just marry someone else. Why don't you?”

“Because I don't want a real marriage. People around my status won't agree to an arrangement like this because they don't need what I'm offering.”

“I understand.” I gave him a bitter smile. “You picked me because you think I'm desperate enough to throw myself into a marriage with a stranger just to solve my problem.”

I looked at him, anger still burning inside me, but I felt pity for him, not because he needed my sympathy, but because it was pathetic that a man with everything could look at marriage as nothing more than another business agreement he could get in and out of.

“I came here hoping someone would genuinely help my sister,” I said quietly. “That was my mistake.”

“Ms. Walker—”

“Stop.” I stood straighter. “I'm not going to bet my sister's life with people I don't trust. Find someone else.”

Sebastian's expression remained calm. “Think twice, Ms. Walker. We're both dealing with limited time here. And believe me or not, offers like this don't come into your life twice.”

I looked at the contract one last time, then thought about Kendra. I hated that I was hesitating, but the amount of money in front of me could give my sister a chance to live.

I remained silent, caught between my pride and the only opportunity I had left.

Adrian noticed my silence. “We'll give you forty-eight hours, Ms. Walker. The decision is yours.”