Nemesis: my billionaire contract husband

“Get the money before the end of the month… or we won’t be able to continue her treatment.” The doctor didn’t even look back after saying it. He just walked away, his white coat disappearing down the long, sterile hallway as if he hadn’t just shattered my entire world in a single sentence. I stood there, frozen. My fingers tightened around the paper in my hand, crumpling it as my vision blurred. $100,000. The number stared back at me like a death sentence. A hollow laugh escaped my lips, dry and broken. “Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?” I whispered to no one. My voice sounded strange like it didn’t belong to me. Even if I worked every single day for the next twenty years, I still wouldn’t be able to afford it. Not with my current job. Not with the way life had always been for me. The paper trembled in my hand as my knees weakened beneath me. “$100,000…” I repeated under my breath, as if saying it again would somehow make it smaller. It didn’t. If anything, it felt heavier. Suffocating. “I can’t do this…” My voice cracked. A sob tore through my chest as I covered my face, the crumpled bill pressing against my skin. “It’s all my fault.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. “It’s all my fault…” I hit my chest weakly, once… twice… again like punishing myself would somehow fix everything. People were staring now. I could feel their eyes on me—curious, uncomfortable, maybe even judging. Whispering silently behind my back. But I didn’t care. Nothing mattered. Not when my mother was lying in that hospital room, barely breathing, barely holding on. “If I hadn’t gone on that stupid trip…” I choked, my breath hitching painfully. “She would still be here… standing… smiling… not lying on a hospital bed.” My legs finally gave out, and I sank onto the cold hospital floor, my body shaking with silent sobs. 💭 FLASHBACK “Mom, no. I’m not going—we don’t have the money!” My voice echoed through our small apartment in Ravenbrook, bouncing off the cracked walls and worn furniture that had seen better days. “You have to go, baby,” she said softly, walking toward me with that same gentle smile she always wore, even when life wasn’t kind to her. “It’s New Zealand. You’ve always wanted to go.” “No, Mom!” I pulled away, frustration bubbling inside me. “It’s too expensive. We’re barely surviving here. I can go next year—when things are better.” “No more arguments, Rosa.” Her tone was calm, but firm. Final. I let out a frustrated breath, running my fingers through my hair. “Mom, please… just listen to me for once.” She stepped closer, her warm hands cupping my face. “All your life, you’ve been strong,” she said quietly. “Always sacrificing for me… putting me first, even when you shouldn’t have.” My chest tightened, emotion clogging my throat. “After your father died,” she continued, her voice trembling slightly, “you took everything upon yourself. You worked, you studied, you carried burdens that were never meant for you.” Tears filled her eyes—and mine followed immediately. “And it breaks my heart every time I see you deny yourself happiness because of me.” Our foreheads touched as tears slipped down our cheeks. “So please… mi amore,” she whispered, her lips trembling into a soft smile, “let me do this for you. Just this once.” I wanted to argue. I wanted to say no. But I knew that look in her eyes. And once my mother made up her mind… there was no changing it. I retreated to my room, closing the door behind me before pulling out my phone and dialing the one person who could calm the storm inside me. “Hey, Lily…” I said, forcing a small smile into my voice. “What’s wrong, Rosa?” she asked immediately, her tone filled with concern. “It’s my mom… she insists on paying for this trip even after I told her not to.” My voice cracked despite my effort to stay calm. Lily sighed softly. “You know how stubborn she is. Maybe you should just let her do this… if it makes her happy.” I hesitated, biting my lower lip. “Her health isn’t good, Lily. I don’t want her stressing herself because of me.” “I get that,” she said gently. “But sometimes… letting them give is what makes them happy.” Her words sank deep into my chest. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I’m always here for you,” she replied warmly. A small smile found its way onto my lips. “So… I should expect you on the trip?” she teased. I let out a quiet breath. “I guess so.” “Good. It’s going to be fun, Rosa. All of us together? It’ll be a blast.” “Yeah…” I murmured softly. “Talk to you later.” “Mom?” I called as I stepped out of my room. Silence. Too much silence. A strange feeling settled in my chest. Then— Sirens. Loud. Close. Approaching. My heart dropped instantly. Before I could process it, there was a sharp knock on the door. I rushed to open it, only to find Mrs. Novaro standing there, her face pale and shaken. “Your mom…” was all she managed to say. I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I ran. Barefoot. “Mom!” I screamed as I burst outside, my vision already blurring with tears. An ambulance was parked in front of the house. Paramedics surrounded a stretcher. And on it “Mom…!” I rushed forward, my chest tightening painfully as I saw her lying there, so still… too still. “Mom, open your eyes! I’m here!” Her eyelids fluttered weakly. Relief crashed into me so hard it almost knocked the air out of my lungs. She lifted her hand slowly, her fingers brushing against my cheek. “I’m sorry… mi amore…” she whispered faintly. Her hand fell. “No no, Mom! Stay with me!” “Move! We need to take her now her condition is critical!” one of the paramedics shouted. Everything blurred together. Voices. Movement. Chaos. But all I could see was her. All I could feel was guilt clawing its way through my chest. I dropped to my knees on the cold street, my body shaking uncontrollably. “It’s all my fault…”