Chapter 4
743 Words
“Who does he think he is?” I slammed my hand against the table, sending the bottle sliding.
“Who does he think he is, throwing money at me and expecting me to marry him?” My chest rose with anger, my eyes burning.
“Does he think I’m some cheap girl he can just buy? If he does, then he’s completely wrong.” I grabbed the bottle and finished what was left.
“Hey… calm down a bit,” Lilly said softly, placing her hands on my shoulders. The warmth steadied me, even if only a little.
“Calm down?” I let out a bitter laugh. “I feel like punching him in the face hard enough to leave a scar. Maybe then he’d think twice before treating women like they’re for sale.”
“Let’s go out,” Lilly suggested.
“Yeah… maybe we should.”
There was a pause before she spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
“What are you going to do? It will be month end in three days.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the chest.
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “I really don’t know what to do.”
I leaned into Lilly, burying my face against her as tears slipped out. I had tried everything everything but nothing was working. I was completely broke.
“It’s not such a bad idea… marrying him,” **Lilly** said carefully.
I pulled back immediately, staring at her. “You’re joking, right?”
She wasn’t.
“What are you even saying, Lilly? Marry that arrogant, rude jerk for money?” My voice cracked as fresh tears filled my eyes.
“Just think about it,” she said gently. “A rich, handsome man offering marriage for money? Something has to be going on. You said it yourself he must have a reason.”
“That doesn’t make it better,” I snapped. “You’re basically telling me to marry a stranger. What if he turns out to be dangerous? What if he traps me or something?”
“Okay, listen,” Lilly said, holding my gaze. “What if he’s being forced to marry, and he just needs someone willing to agree? And then there’s you you need money for your mum’s hospital bills. He knows you can’t afford to say no.”
I hesitated.
“So… you’re saying it’s a win-win? I get the money, he gets a wife?”
She nodded.
“No. No, I can’t.” I shook my head, grabbing another bottle and taking a long drink. “I don’t even like him. He’s arrogant, rude… probably controlling too. I can’t live with someone like that.”
“You don’t have to like him,” **Lilly** said.
I paused, lowering the bottle slowly. “What do you mean?”
“You can marry him without loving him. You can even hate him if you want. All you need is the money. Just… treat it like a deal. Nothing more.”
“A loveless marriage…” I murmured, my voice barely audible.
“Yes.”
I ran a hand through my hair, overwhelmed. “I never imagined my life would turn out like this… marrying a man for money.”
The room felt too small, too heavy.
“This is too much,” I muttered, taking another drink. “I’ll find another way. I have to. Because marrying that man?” I let out a dry laugh. “I’d rather suffer than do that.”
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“Can I take a loan?” I asked, forcing confidence into my voice as I stood in front of the banker.
He barely looked at me before typing on his computer.
“I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “Your account isn’t eligible for a loan.”
Of course.
I don’t have savings. No property. Just bills and debt stacking up.
Why would they help me?
“This is so frustrating…” I muttered, stepping outside the bank and sitting down.
Slowly, I pulled out the card he gave me.
“What choice do I have?” I whispered, my hands trembling. “I need the money… and maybe he’s not that bad.”
My heart pounded as I dialed the number.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
I closed my eyes.
“Fine,” I said when the call connected, my voice barely steady.
“I’ll marry you.”
- Writer
