Married to my billionaire enemy

Rain poured endlessly over the city. Lily Anderson stood outside the hospital, her hands wrapped tightly around a folder of unpaid medical bills. Her eyes were red from crying. Just a few minutes earlier, the doctor had looked at her with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Miss Anderson. Your mother's surgery can't be delayed any longer." "Without it... we're running out of time." Those words kept replaying in her mind. Running out of time. Lily looked through the hospital window. Her mother lay unconscious on the bed, connected to several machines. She was all Lily had left. After her father died five years ago, it had always been the two of them against the world. Now... She was about to lose her too. Lily wiped away the tears before they could fall. Crying wouldn't solve anything. She had already worked two part-time jobs. Sold almost everything she owned. Borrowed money from friends. Even her scholarship savings were gone. Yet she was still millions short. Her phone suddenly vibrated. An unknown number. She hesitated before answering. "Hello?" "Miss Lily Anderson?" "Yes." "My name is James." "I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Ethan Carter." Lily frowned. "The billionaire?" "Yes." She almost laughed. There was no way one of the richest men in the country was calling her. "There must be some mistake." "There isn't." "Mr. Carter would like to meet you immediately." Lily's confusion deepened. "I don't even know him." "He knows enough about you." Before she could ask another question, the call ended. A few minutes later... A black Rolls-Royce stopped outside the hospital. Every person nearby turned to look. The driver stepped out and respectfully opened the back door. "Miss Anderson." "Mr. Carter is waiting." Lily stood frozen. Everything about this felt unreal. She looked back toward her mother's hospital room. Then at the luxury car. If there was even the smallest chance this meeting could save her mother... She had to take it. Without another word, she got inside. ••• Half an hour later... The car stopped in front of Carter Group Headquarters. Lily slowly stepped out. The building towered above the city. Glass walls reflected the evening sky. Employees in expensive suits hurried in and out of the entrance. She suddenly felt completely out of place. The driver led her inside. The receptionist smiled politely. "Mr. Carter is expecting you." The elevator doors opened. Top floor. Everything was silent. Elegant. Expensive. James was already waiting. "This way, Miss Anderson." He stopped in front of two enormous black doors. He knocked once. A deep voice came from inside. "Come in." James opened the door. Lily walked in nervously. The office was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city. A man stood with his back to her, staring out at the skyline. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly. Without turning around, he spoke. "You're late." His voice was calm. Cold. Powerful. Lily frowned. "I came as soon as I got the call." Only then did he turn around. Ethan Carter. Tall. Handsome. Expressionless. His sharp grey eyes studied her as though he were reading every thought in her mind. For a long moment... Neither of them spoke. Finally, Ethan walked toward his desk. He picked up a file. Then slid it across the table toward her. Lily looked down. It was a contract. She looked back up in confusion. "What is this?" Ethan met her eyes. His expression never changed. "A marriage contract." Lily blinked. "...What?" "I want you to marry me." The room fell silent. And Lily Anderson realized... This was no ordinary business meeting. It was the beginning of a life she never saw coming.