Episode 2: one impossible condition
567 Words
"I want you to marry me."
Lily stared at Ethan Carter, convinced she had heard him wrong.
"I'm sorry... what?"
Ethan remained calm.
"I don't repeat myself."
Lily let out a nervous laugh.
"This isn't funny."
"I'm not joking."
Silence filled the office.
Lily looked down at the contract lying on the desk.
Her name was already printed on the first page.
So was his.
She looked back at him.
"You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
"No... you don't."
She pushed the contract back toward him.
"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
Ethan didn't move.
"I chose you."
The confidence in his voice irritated her.
"You chose me?" Lily asked. "Like I'm applying for a job?"
"In a way..."
"You've lost your mind."
She grabbed her bag and turned toward the door.
"I'm leaving."
"Your mother's surgery is scheduled for next week."
Lily froze.
Slowly...
She turned around.
"How do you know about my mother?"
"I know the hospital has given you three days to make the payment."
Her face turned pale.
"I know you've exhausted every option."
"I know you've been working two jobs while attending university."
"And I know..."
He paused.
"...that you're out of time."
Lily felt her heart sink.
How could a stranger know so much about her?
"What do you want from me?" she asked quietly.
Ethan folded his hands on the desk.
"My grandmother is seriously ill."
Lily frowned.
"She has one final wish."
"She wants to see me married."
"And if I don't?"
"My position as CEO becomes... complicated."
Lily blinked.
"So you need a wife."
"I need a temporary wife."
He slid the contract toward her again.
"Twelve months."
"We'll live as husband and wife in public."
"When the contract ends, we'll divorce."
Lily looked at him in disbelief.
"And that's it?"
"I'll pay every hospital bill."
"I'll clear your family's debts."
"I'll make sure your mother receives the best treatment available."
Her breathing became uneven.
Everything she had been praying for...
Was suddenly sitting right in front of her.
But at what cost?
"There has to be a catch."
"There are three rules."
Ethan stood and walked toward the window.
"You will never reveal this marriage is fake."
"You will attend every family event with me."
"And..."
He turned to face her.
"You will never fall in love with me."
Lily almost laughed.
"Trust me."
"That won't be a problem."
For the first time...
A faint smile appeared on Ethan's face.
"Good."
"Because I have no intention of falling in love with you either."
His confidence annoyed her even more.
She picked up the contract once again.
Every page represented a choice.
A choice between saving her mother...
Or walking away.
Her hand trembled.
Could she really marry a man she had just met?
Could she live with someone who treated love like another business deal?
She closed the contract.
"I need time to think."
Ethan nodded.
"You have twenty-four hours."
"No more."
Lily turned and walked toward the door.
Just as she reached it...
Ethan spoke one last time.
"If you refuse..."
"I'll respect your decision."
"But by this time tomorrow..."
"It may already be too late to save your mother."
Lily's hand tightened around the doorknob.
Tears filled her eyes.
Without looking back...
She walked out of the office.
But deep down...
She already knew the answer she was going to give.
- Writer
