The Convenient Love

Chapter3

Charlotte's pov

The rain lashed down around me, drumming a relentless beat on the pavement, but I walked on, oblivious to the deluge. My feet moved mechanically, carrying me forward despite the exhaustion that weighed me down.

The deserted street stretched out before me like a lonely abyss, its silence a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me. My mind replayed the conversation with the nanny, her words echoing in my thoughts like a haunting refrain.

I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my chest, a sense of disquiet that threatened to consume me whole.

"What is the solution?" She hesitated and looked at me with sympathy.

"Roger offered to help but he asked for one night" I was confused.

"One night?" She looked down as if she was embarrassed at what she was about to say.

"For you to sleep with him"

I became quiet and looked at the kids who were playing happily. Roger is a womanizer who jumps from one woman to another despite having his family. He owns a bar shop and he is also a gambler. He does other illegal things.

"I am sorry I brought up the offer, I went to him for help but he wasn't willing until you came to him, I am sorry" she bowed her head in regret. I looked at her and nodded my head.

"It is fine, please check on Amelia" She left and I left the orphanage thinking.

My tears rolled down my cheeks and it was washed away by the rain but it didn't wash away my worries.

I was devastated and hopeless. Who will I go to? I had nowhere to ask for help.

I was walking absent-minded until I was almost knocked down but the car stopped before it could hit me. My mind froze and I could not move.

"Miss Green, if you want to die, go do that elsewhere, I don't want to have your blood on my hands'' I just looked at him and continued walking after recovering from the shock.

"Miss Green" he called and I stopped. "I am not in the right state of mind to talk, just go" My voice was cracking and hoarse.

"It is about my grandfather, we need to talk" I sighed and got into his car. I stained his car seat and saw the dismay look on his face but he didn't talk.

I told him my address and he drove there. He scrutinized my apartment but he didn't say anything about it. "Why are you here Mr. Norman?" I went straight to the point after we both sat on my torn Couch

"Grandfather's health is deteriorating and he refuses to get his treatment until we get married"

"So are you saying we should get married?" I asked and saw his face turn into a frown. "No, not to you at least" I heard him say under his breath.

"What did you say?" He didn't reply me but brought out a file I didn't notice he was with.

"I am here with a proposal" I eyed the file and proceeded to take it when what he said stopped me. "Marry me for a year and a half"

"I thought you said you didn't want to," he gave a stiff nod. "I want my grandfather to have the best medical help and if he is not going to make it, I want him to be happy and satisfied."

"But that is deception." I can't believe him. He shrugged his shoulders.

"I can't do it, I can't lie to Andrew and I can't put my life on hold for a year and a half" he smirked

"I will give you a million dollars, half payment now and the rest after the divorce." My mouth was wide open. His eyes were blank with a little smirk on his face. What is he thinking?

"I don't want your money, I can't betray Andrew" I heard a tick sound from him.

"You need that money, Miss Green, you need it for the surgery of a little child who is almost dying and to pay your bills'' how did he know? I was surprised.

"This will be strictly business. You stay married to me for a year and a half and get your money" A million dollars was a lot of money. It could get me and the kids a better life.

But I can't betray Andrew, he has shown me so much love and kindness.

“This is killing two birds with one stone, you get to save Amelia's life and also allow Andrew to get medical treatment” my conscience speaks to me.

"You can go through the contract and tell me your answer, you have up to 48 hours to get back to me, good night Miss Green'' he stood up and left the apartment.

I couldn't sleep throughout the night. Damien's proposal was on my mind. If I accept, I will be betraying and hurting Andrew, and on the other side, I will give Amelia the treatment she wants.

I don't know what to do. I broke down and cried my eyes out till daybreak.

My phone kept ringing, and I was having a bad headache. "Why can't you stop calling?" I was angry at the caller and took my phone.

"This better be good," I said, without waiting for the caller.

"Charlotte, Amelia's life is in danger", I jumped up from the coach. "What is wrong with Amelia? Tell me" I screamed.

"She started having serious pains and I rushed her to the hospital." Oh! no. New tears formed in my eyes. "I am coming, please stay with her". I came back from the bank not long ago, so I was fully dressed.

I took my purse and rushed to the hospital. Immediately I got there, the nurse in the reception told me where she was. We have been coming to the hospital, so she knows me well.

"Nanny" I called her as she was sitting in front of her ward. I went to her and hugged her crying.

"Don't cry, she is strong, she will survive" she kept comforting me until the doctor came out.

I ran to him. "Mark, how is she?" He removed his glasses and positioned his hands on my shoulder.

“She needs to undergo surgery now, or she won't make it," His words cut through me like a knife. I felt a desperation creeping in, my mind racing for a solution. "Mark, please, you're my friend, can't you just put her on medication until I get the money?" I begged, my voice cracking with emotion.

Mark's sympathetic gaze only made me feel more helpless. "I wish I could help," he said, his hand on my shoulder, a meager comfort before he turned and left. Fresh tears streamed down my face as I felt the weight of my failure bearing down on me.

"Charlotte, please, do something! She needs you! You can go to Roger, at least he will give you the money". Nanny's plea echoed in my mind, but I remained frozen, unable to respond. The tears in her eyes mirrored my own, and I felt the sting of inadequacy. I had let everyone down. I was weak.

As I walked out of the hospital, my thoughts were in shambles. The self-doubt and recrimination swirled in my mind like a vortex. "You're worthless," "You're a failure," "You failed me," the voices screamed in my head, until I collapsed to the ground, overcome with anguish.

But then, I couldn't fail Amelia. She had to survive, she has so much faith in me, I can't let her down. I grasped my phone and dialed the number at the top of my contacts, my voice firm when I spoke: "I'm ready."