Love in Between

The contract

The CEO’s office felt colder than it had moments before, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. Sanya sat still, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as the silence stretched between them.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the sleek glass desk, his eyes dark and unreadable. “This is what I’m offering,” he said, his voice low, deliberate. “Marry me—for one year. In return, I’ll pay for your brother’s medical treatment. Every last bill.”

Sanya’s breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if she’d misheard him. A marriage proposal—like a transaction. It felt like a cruel joke… and yet, beneath the shock, a fragile thread of hope began to form.

“Why me?” she asked, her voice trembling. “And how do you even know about my brother? There are other women—beautiful, capable women out there. Are you doing this because I spilled coffee on your manager? Please… I’ll clean the suit myself, I swear. I’m really sorry.”

Her words tumbled out, desperation cracking her voice. She couldn’t understand what kind of man would offer marriage like this—cold, calculated, business-like.

But he only smirked, rising slowly from his chair. “Because you have nothing left to lose,” he said, walking around the desk. “And desperation makes people say yes to things they never imagined.”

She looked up at him, stunned, her heart pounding.

“I’ll give you 24 hours,” he continued, slipping a card onto the table in front of her. “If you don’t call by then—don’t bother showing your face in this city again.”

He turned, pausing at the door with a final glance over his shoulder. “Call me when you’re ready to stop surviving… and start living.”

Then he was gone, leaving Sanya frozen in place—one hand on the card, her world suddenly split between two impossible choices.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Sanya was left alone in the vast, silent office. The air felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were waiting for her decision.

She stared at the business card on the desk. The name printed in clean, bold letters pierced her like a needle: Xavier R. Devaux – CEO, VStar Technologies.

Xavier. Now the name had a face. Cold, calculated... and dangerously unreadable.

Her fingers hovered above the card before picking it up. It felt heavier than it looked—as if it held the weight of everything she was about to choose or lose.

Outside, the world moved like nothing had changed. But for Sanya, everything had. She walked through the lobby in a daze, barely noticing the way Vikram's eyes followed her from across the room.

Stepping into the fading light of the afternoon, the city buzzed around her—but her mind was somewhere else. Her thoughts ran in circles, chasing questions that had no easy answers.

Could she really marry a stranger? For money? For her brother?

Her heart whispered yes, but her soul wasn't ready. Not yet.

And still... she held onto the card like it was the only lifeline she had left.

The rain started without warning.

Fine droplets kissed her skin as she stood at the bus stop, staring down at the card in her hand. Xavier R. Devaux. Even his name felt too sharp, too clean—like a blade slicing through the fragile edges of the life she thought she'd have.

The world around her buzzed on as usual—cars honking, neon signs flickering, people rushing past with umbrellas. But to Sanya, it all felt distant, like she was standing behind glass.

By the time she reached home, her clothes were soaked through and her heart felt heavier than ever. The city lights had dimmed, but the weight of her reality hadn't.

Her brother, Aryan, lay curled on the worn couch, his face pale, his breathing shallow. The little color that remained in his cheeks was fading fast. The medication was running out. The hospital had already called twice—once to remind her about the overdue bill, and again to say they wouldn't wait much longer.

"Didi," he mumbled weakly, trying to sit up. "You're late."

Sanya forced a smile and dropped to her knees beside him, brushing her damp hair out of her face as she gently ran her fingers through his. "I just... had a long day."

Her voice cracked. The words felt like ash in her mouth.

He didn't ask questions—he never did. He just trusted her. And somehow, that trust made the ache in her chest even worse.

She helped him lie back down, tucked the thin blanket around his fragile body, and waited until his breathing evened out again.

Much later, long after Aryan had fallen asleep, Sanya sat at the edge of her bed, Xavier's card still clenched tightly in her hand like a lifeline she couldn't bring herself to grasp.

She stared out the window, the city lights now blurred by rain and tears. Somewhere out there, a man was waiting for her answer. Cold. Calculated. Dangerous.

But beneath the fear... was a flicker of hope.

Not for her—but for Aryan.

She didn't know what kind of life Xavier would offer. She didn't even know what kind of man he really was. But she knew one thing: her brother deserved a chance. Even if it means sacrificing her self she didn't

Mind

Sanya sat on the edge of her bed, the card still warm in her hand, as if it held the power to change everything—or nothing at all.

Her fingers trembled as she dialed the number printed on the back.

Each ring stretched longer than the last, her breath shallow, her heartbeat thundering.

Then, a voice—deep, calm, and unmistakably Xavier's.

"Devaux."

Her throat closed, but she forced the words out. "This is Sanya Rao."

"Twenty-four hours," he said, not a question, but a statement.

"I... I'm ready," she whispered.

There was a pause—a stillness that held a thousand unspoken words.

"Good," he finally said. "Meet me at the VStar headquarters tomorrow morning, sharp at nine. We'll discuss terms."

She swallowed, nodding even though he couldn't see her.

"Be prepared, Ms. Rao," he added, voice colder now. "This isn't a fairy tale."

She hung up, the weight of what she'd just agreed to pressing down like a stone in her chest.

That night, sleep eluded her.

Her mind swirled with doubt, fear, and a desperate hope.

She pictured Aryan, fragile and trusting, and knew she had no choice.

Sanya's footsteps echoed sharply through the marble lobby of VStar Technologies, each step heavy with a mix of dread and determination.

The morning sun spilled through the towering glass walls, but it offered no warmth.

She clutched Xavier's card like a lifeline, her knuckles white.

A sleek assistant in a crisp black suit approached with a polite nod. "Ms. Rao, Mr. Devaux is expecting you. Please, follow me."

Her heart hammered as she was led through a maze of corridors and high-tech offices, each one more intimidating than the last.

Finally, they stopped before a pair of massive steel doors.

The assistant knocked softly, then opened them.

Inside, Xavier waited, seated behind the same imposing desk, his posture relaxed but eyes sharp.

He didn't stand.

"Good morning," he said, voice calm but commanding.

Sanya swallowed, stepping forward.

"So," he began, folding his hands on the desk. "You called. That means you're serious."

She met his gaze. "I am."

He nodded slowly. "Let me explain the terms."

He slid a thick folder across the desk.

Sanya hesitated, then opened it.

Inside were contracts—legal jargon, clauses about privacy, responsibilities, conditions.

One page caught her eye: the duration—one year. No escape clauses.

"No exceptions," Xavier said, reading her expression. "This is a binding contract. Marry me, live by the rules, and I pay for your brother's treatment in full."

Her throat tightened.

"And if I say no?" she asked, voice barely audible.

"Then your brother's treatment stops. You vanish from this city. No more calls, no more debts—just silence."

A cold finality settled over the room.

Sanya's mind raced.

She looked up, eyes steady now.

"I'm in," she said.

Xavier's smirk was barely noticeable—a shadow of something unreadable.

"Good. We start tomorrow."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice sharp and clipped. "There are rules. You cannot fall in love. You cannot spread rumors. No one needs to know about us. And you cannot live in my house as you please."

Sanya blinked, confused.

"Please," he added. "I need to know where and when you're going out."

She frowned. "I will be staying in your house?"

"Yes," he replied, irritation creeping into his tone. "What did you think? You move in tomorrow. I'll give you some time to pack necessary things."

One more thing.

Sanya crossed her arms, already annoyed by the string of rules.

"I want to work," she said, her voice sharp and grumpy. "I can't just sit in your house bored."

Xavier's eyes sparkled with amusement—this was the first time she had spoken like this.

"You will be my assistant," he said firmly. "Beside me, all the time. And I don't like laziness. Get that in mind."

He paused, then added with finality, "Tomorrow, my driver will pick you up."