The Decision
745 Words
"You're going to wear a hole in that floor," Mia Chen said from her hospital bed, watching her brother pace back and forth. The late evening sun cast long shadows through the window of her private room, making her look even more fragile than usual.
Ethan stopped mid-stride, running his hands through his already disheveled hair. "This is crazy, right? Tell me this is crazy."
Mia adjusted her position, wincing slightly. "Let me get this straight. The Alexander Sterling III—who, by the way, is on literally every 'Most Eligible Bachelor' list in existence—wants to pay you five million dollars to marry him?"
"For one year," Ethan corrected, resuming his pacing. "It's not real. It's just... business."
"Right. Business." Mia's knowing smile made him want to throw something. "And the fact that he looks like a Greek god had nothing to do with you considering this insane proposal?"
"I'm not—" Ethan started, then caught his sister's raised eyebrow. "Okay, fine. Yes, he's gorgeous. And charming. And probably the most intimidating person I've ever met. But that's not the point."
"Then what is the point?"
Ethan stopped at the window, pressing his forehead against the cool glass. "The point is that your treatment costs are going to bankrupt me. The point is that my business is hanging by a thread because I keep using the company funds to pay your medical bills. The point is..." He turned to face her, his voice cracking. "The point is that I'm scared, Mia. I'm scared of losing you, and I'm scared of losing everything I've worked for."
Mia's eyes softened. "Come here," she patted the edge of her bed. When Ethan sat down, she took his hand. "You've been taking care of me since we lost Mom and Dad. You put your life on hold, worked yourself to the bone, and never complained once. Maybe... maybe this is the universe finally giving something back."
"By making me commit marriage fraud?"
"By giving you an opportunity." She squeezed his hand. "And let's be honest, there are worse things than pretending to be married to a hot billionaire who clearly has good taste in men."
Despite himself, Ethan laughed. "You're impossible."
"I'm practical. Five million dollars, Eth. We could pay off all my medical bills, get the experimental treatment Dr. Sanders recommended, and you could still expand your business." She paused, her expression turning serious. "But none of that matters if this isn't what you want. Are you okay with pretending to be someone's husband? With living a lie for a year?"
Ethan thought about Alexander Sterling's intense blue eyes, about the way he'd said 'I want the best.' He thought about the stack of unpaid bills in his apartment, about the way his hands shook every time he checked his bank balance.
"I think..." he said slowly, "I think I'd be okay with pretending to be his husband. The question is, can I pretend it doesn't mean anything?"
Mia's smile turned gentle. "Oh, big brother. I think that's a question you'll have to figure out along the way."
Ethan pulled out the business card he'd been carrying like a talisman for the past six hours. The numbers were already starting to wear at the edges from how many times he'd run his fingers over them.
"You should call him," Mia said softly. "Before you overthink yourself out of it."
With trembling fingers, Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed the number. It rang twice before Alexander's deep voice answered.
"Mr. Chen. I trust you've reached a decision?"
Ethan took a deep breath, looking at his sister's encouraging smile. "Yes. I... I'll do it. I'll marry you."
There was a pause, and then: "Excellent. My driver will pick you up tomorrow at 9 AM. Pack whatever you need. You'll be moving into the penthouse immediately."
"Wait, what? Tomorrow? But I need to—"
"Time is of the essence, Mr. Chen. Or should I say, future Mr. Sterling?"
The line went dead before Ethan could respond. He stared at his phone in disbelief.
Mia burst out laughing at his expression. "Well, big brother, looks like you're getting married."
Ethan groaned, falling back onto her bed. "What have I gotten myself into?"
But as he lay there, listening to his sister's laughter, he couldn't help but wonder what Alexander Sterling would be like as a husband—fake or otherwise.
Tomorrow, he supposed, he'd start finding out.
- Writer
