Stay With Me

The bank called again. Ayesha stared at her phone, hands shaking. "Final notice. Pay 5 million rupees in 7 days or we take your house." Her mother was sick. Her younger brother had school fees. And her father... her father died 6 months ago leaving them with nothing but debt. She had nowhere to go. That’s when she saw the ad. "URGENT: Need a wife for 1 year. 10 million rupees. Contract only." No name. No photo. Just a number. She laughed. Who does that? But 10 million could save her home. Could save her mom. With shaking fingers, she dialed. A cold, deep voice answered on the second ring. "Zayan Khan speaking." "I... I saw your ad." Silence. Then: "Be at Khan Tower. 8 PM. Wear a white dress. No questions." Click. 8 PM. Khan Tower. The tallest building in the city. The doors opened and he was there. Zayan Khan. 28. Billionaire CEO. Known as the devil in a suit. Tall. Cold eyes. 3-piece black suit. And a face that could break hearts and banks. He looked at her once. From head to toe. "You’re the one?" Ayesha nodded, throat dry. "Yes." "Good. Sign this." He slid a 10 page contract across the marble table. "1 year. You play my wife. You come to events. You smile. You don’t ask questions. You don’t fall in love. In return, I pay you 10 million and give you a roof over your head." Ayesha’s eyes filled with tears. "And after 1 year?" He leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "After 1 year, we walk away. Like strangers." She picked up the pen. Her hand trembled. This was wrong. This was desperate. But she had no choice. She signed. Zayan took the paper, a faint smirk on his lips. "Congratulations Mrs. Khan. The contract starts tonight." And just like that... her life was no longer her own.