Chapter 5: Yes... With One Condition
1094 Words
I couldn't answer him.
The office was so quiet that I could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Adrian stood behind his desk, waiting.
He wasn't rushing me.
He wasn't trying to convince me.
He simply waited.
I lowered my eyes to the contract lying between us.
One year.
A fake marriage.
Enough money to save Ethan.
Enough money to change both our lives.
It sounded simple.
But nothing about it felt simple.
"I need time," I said.
Adrian gave a small nod.
"That's fair."
"I've never imagined marrying someone I barely know."
"I understand."
I looked at him.
"Do you?"
His expression didn't change.
"No."
The honesty caught me off guard.
"I've never imagined it either."
For a second, I almost smiled.
Almost.
"I need to see my brother."
"Of course."
"I can't make this decision without talking to him."
"I wouldn't expect you to."
He walked around the desk and picked up his suit jacket.
"I'll have my driver take you back to the hospital."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
There it was again.
He never acted as if he was doing me a favor.
He simply made a decision and expected it to be accepted.
"I'm not used to people helping me."
"You should get used to it."
I looked at him in surprise.
"I don't mean me," he said calmly. "I mean you don't have to carry everything alone forever."
His words stayed with me all the way to the hospital.
Ethan was awake when I walked into his room.
He smiled the moment he saw me.
"You're back."
"I am."
He studied my face for a moment.
"You met him."
I sighed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"You've been thinking too much."
I pulled a chair closer to his bed.
"We talked."
"And?"
"He asked me again."
Ethan looked away.
"I already know what I'm going to say."
"You don't even know what I'm going to ask."
"I know enough."
He sat up a little straighter.
"Lydia, don't do this because of me."
"I'm doing it because I love you."
"That's exactly why you shouldn't."
I reached for his hand.
"If Mom and Dad were here, what do you think they'd tell me?"
His eyes filled with tears.
"They'd tell you to be happy."
"They'd tell me to protect you."
"They'd tell you not to throw your life away."
Silence settled between us.
After a long moment, I quietly asked, "What if this is the only way to save you?"
He didn't answer.
His silence hurt more than any words could.
The door opened.
Dr. Lewis stepped inside with a file in his hands.
"Good afternoon."
"Doctor," I greeted.
He smiled politely before turning serious.
"I've received the latest test results."
My heart began to race.
"Is something wrong?"
"The condition hasn't improved."
Ethan lowered his head.
"The sooner we begin treatment, the better his chances."
"How soon?"
"As soon as possible."
The room became unbearably quiet.
The doctor looked between us before leaving us alone again.
I stared at the closed door.
As soon as possible.
Those words echoed in my mind.
There was no more time.
No more waiting.
No miracle coming.
Just a choice.
That evening, Grace came by with dinner.
None of us touched the food.
She looked at me carefully.
"You've decided."
It wasn't a question.
I nodded.
She closed her eyes for a second.
"I was hoping you'd say no."
"So was I."
"But?"
I looked toward Ethan's room.
"I can't lose him."
Grace reached across the table and held my hand.
"Then promise me something."
"What?"
"If Adrian Hale ever makes you feel small..."
"He won't."
"You don't know that."
I smiled sadly.
"No."
"If he ever hurts you..."
"I'll leave."
"If he breaks the contract..."
"I'll leave."
"If you stop recognizing yourself..."
I squeezed her hand.
"I'll leave."
She let out a slow breath.
"Good."
The truth was, I didn't know if I believed my own promises.
The next morning, I stood outside Hale Global again.
This time, I wasn't carrying design samples.
I was carrying my future.
Samuel was already waiting in the lobby.
"Good morning, Miss Brooks."
"Good morning."
"Mr. Hale is expecting you."
He led me upstairs without another word.
When the office door opened, Adrian was standing by the window.
The city stretched behind him.
He turned as I walked in.
"You came."
"I did."
He searched my face.
"I assume you've made your decision."
"I have."
He remained silent.
I took a deep breath.
"I'll marry you."
His expression didn't change, but I noticed his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
"There is one condition."
He folded his arms.
"I'm listening."
"You don't get to control every part of my life."
His eyes stayed on mine.
"I know this is a contract."
"It is."
"I'll attend events."
"Yes."
"I'll play the role of your wife."
"Yes."
"But outside that..."
I swallowed.
"You will treat me with respect."
His answer came without hesitation.
"Agreed."
"You won't use my brother to threaten me."
"I won't."
"You won't humiliate me."
"I won't."
"And if either of us wants to end this early..."
He finished the sentence for me.
"We discuss it before making any decision."
I stared at him.
"You already thought about that?"
"I think about everything."
For the first time since meeting him, I believed him.
He walked to his desk and opened a drawer.
Inside was the contract.
Already prepared.
Already waiting.
He placed it in front of me along with a silver pen.
"This is your last chance to walk away."
I looked down at the papers.
Then I thought about Ethan.
About my parents.
About the life I had dreamed of.
None of it looked the way I had imagined.
Slowly, I picked up the pen.
My hand trembled as I signed my name.
Lydia Brooks.
Adrian signed beneath it.
Then he closed the folder.
"It's official."
I let out a shaky breath.
"What happens now?"
He looked at his watch.
"We're getting married tomorrow morning."
I froze.
"So soon?"
"My grandmother is waiting."
Before I could respond, his phone rang.
He answered immediately.
The calm expression on his face disappeared.
"When?" he asked sharply.
A long silence followed.
Then his jaw tightened.
"I'll be there."
He ended the call and looked at me.
"My grandmother collapsed."
Without another word, he grabbed his keys and headed for the door.
I followed him, my heart pounding.
For the first time, I saw fear in Adrian Hale's eyes.
And somehow, it frightened me too.
- Writer
