the billionaire heard my prayers

episode 3

*EPISODE 3: The Contract*

Esther thought she heard him wrong.

"Pay my mother's bill? Give me a house? Sir... I don't understand."

Daniel loosened his tie. He was not a kind man. He was a business man.

"I need a wife. For six months. My family is forcing me to marry Vanessa. I don't love her. I need someone to pretend. Someone who won't fall in love with my money and won't try to stay forever."

He looked her up and down. "You are perfect. You need help. You look... innocent. My family will believe it."

Esther's mouth opened. "Marriage? No! I cannot!"

"It's a contract. Not real. You live in my guest room, you follow me to family dinners, you act like my wife. After six months, you get ten million naira, your debt cleared, and you are free."

Ten million.

Esther's legs shook. Ten million could start her small foundation for homeless girls. It could pay rent. It could give her life back.

"Why me?" she whispered.

"Because," Daniel said, staring at her tear-stained face, "you were the only one in Lagos praying instead of begging me for money when I entered."

The church light flickered. The rain got louder.

"Tomorrow 9 AM. Come to Stone Tower, 5th floor. If you don't come, I will forget I met you."

He dropped his black card on her Bible and walked into the rain, leaving her alone with a choice that would change everything.