CHAPTER FIVE– THE WEIGHT OF YES
759 Words
Hailey stared at her ceiling like it had answers.
The contract marriage idea sat heavy in her mind — not romantic, not exciting… just unreal.
A billionaire CEO.
A fake marriage.
One year.
Her life really said plot twist.
She rolled onto her side, groaning into her pillow.
“This is crazy,” she muttered.
“Like… actually unhinged.”
But no matter how many times she said it, the thought wouldn’t leave.
Because as wild as it sounded…
It also sounded safe.
And safety was something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
HER FEAR, RAW AND REAL
Later that day, she met her friend Maya at a small food spot.
Maya studied her like she was reading a crime scene.
“Girl… you look like you haven’t slept since 2019.”
“Feels accurate,” Hailey sighed.
They sat with fries between them.
Hailey hesitated. Then quietly said,
“What if someone offered you protection… but it came with strings?”
Maya blinked. “Define strings.”
“… Marriage strings.”
Maya froze.
“… You’re joking.”
“I wish.”
After Hailey explained (skipping details she wasn’t ready to say out loud), Maya leaned back slowly.
“That’s not romantic,” Maya said carefully.
“That’s strategic.”
“Exactly,” Hailey whispered.
“And that’s what scares me.”
Maya reached for her hand.
“Do you trust him?”
Hailey paused.
“I don’t trust him,” she admitted.
“But I trust that he’s honest about his motives.”
“That’s… oddly mature,” Maya muttered.
“Trauma ages you,” Hailey replied dryly.
PRESSURE FROM HOME
That evening, Hailey ran into her father again — tension thick as smoke.
“You embarrassed this family,” he snapped.
Hailey clenched her jaw.
“You embarrassed me long before I ever disappointed you.”
He scoffed.
“You think you’re grown now?”
She met his gaze, voice shaking but steady.
“I think I’m done begging people to treat me like I matter.”
For once, she walked away first.
Her hands trembled.
But she didn’t look back.
KIERAN CHECKS IN — NO PRESSURE
Later that night, her phone buzzed.
Kieran:
How are you holding up?
She stared at the message.
Then replied:
Hailey:
Honestly? Confused. Overwhelmed. Slightly losing it.
A moment passed.
Kieran:
Fair reaction.
She almost laughed.
Hailey:
Do you ever feel weird asking someone to marry you like it’s a business deal?
Kieran:
Every second.
That honesty softened something in her chest.
THEIR SECOND MEETING
They met again this time at his office building.
Tall glass walls. Quiet luxury. Serious energy.
She felt underdressed. Out of place. Small.
He noticed.
“You don’t have to impress anyone here,” he said calmly.
“You’re here as yourself.”
That helped. A little.
They sat across a desk.
He slid a folder toward her.
“A draft agreement,” he explained.
“Not binding. Just transparency.”
She flipped through it.
Private marriage.
No public affection.
Separate lives.
Financial independence.
Mutual protection.
“This feels like a peace treaty,” she muttered.
“It basically is,” he replied.
HER BIGGEST QUESTION
She looked up.
“Why me?”
He answered honestly.
“Because you’re already tied to this situation.
Because you didn’t chase attention.
Because you’re not trying to benefit from me.”
A pause.
“And because I don’t want you to be hurt for something that wasn’t your fault.”
Her throat tightened.
That wasn’t romance.
That was… respect.
HER FEAR OF FEELINGS
She exhaled.
“What if people assume things?”
“What if rumors start?”
“What if I start feeling stupid for agreeing to this?”
He met her gaze.
“Then we deal with it like adults,” he said.
“No pretending. No manipulation.”
A beat.
“And if at any point you feel unsafe… we stop.”
That mattered more than he realized.
THE MOMENT OF DECISION
That night, Hailey sat alone again.
But this time, the silence felt different.
Not empty.
Just… waiting.
She whispered:
“I’m tired of being powerless.”
Then she picked up her phone.
Hailey:
If we do this… it stays respectful. Clear. No emotional games.
Seconds later:
Kieran:
Agreed.
Her heart pounded.
She typed:
Hailey:
One year. Contract marriage.
A long pause.
Then:
Kieran:
One year.
She set the phone down.
Hands shaking.
Not because she was in love.
But because she had just made the boldest, scariest decision of her life.
- Writer
