His For Hire

Chapter 2

Sheila couldn’t stop shaking.

She sat at the edge of their bed—if it could still be called theirs—her fingers tightening around the hem of her worn skirt, twisting and twisting until her knuckles turned white.

Dale wasn’t home yet. He wouldn’t be for hours. Her heart was still racing from what happened at Ace Empire.

She just researched who and what he was. That man—Lance Jonas—the sheer audacity of him, the way he looked at her like she was something to be bought, worn, then discarded.

“Six months,” he had said.“Pretend to be my wife. I’ll pay you enough to change your life.”

She wanted to hate him. She did.

But now, seated in the dim light of their small bedroom, surrounded by peeling wallpaper and the lingering smell of mold and old regrets… it was harder to summon that hate.

Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. Money. That’s what this was about. Always money. Her life had been bought before—by Dale, by her parents, by the debts and desperation that had wrapped around them like chains.

Was this so different? She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to breathe.

No. It’s not the same. It can’t be. But her mind wouldn’t stop racing. What if she said yes? What if she took his deal, became his wife in name only, and walked away after six months with enough money to start over? What would that make her?A woman with a future.Or worse—a woman without a soul.

Her hands trembled as she tried to picture herself standing beside Lance Jonas, playing the perfect wife under the world’s watchful eye. She could already imagine the looks.

The whispers. The shame. But then… the money. Enough to finally leave Dale. Enough to build a life where she didn’t wake up every morning dreading the sound of the front door creaking open.

She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the frantic beat beneath her ribs. She’d never even considered leaving before. Survival had always been her only goal. Obedience, silence, endurance—those were the rules she’d lived by.

But now… now, the rules have changed. And it terrified her.

Hours later, the front door slammed. Sheila jolted, instinctively rising to her feet. Her body moved on habit, trained by years of Dale’s unpredictable moods.

He swaggered in, reeking of cheap whiskey and cigarette smoke, a cocky sneer already curling his lips.

“Well, look who’s still up,” he drawled, kicking off his shoes and tossing his jacket carelessly over the couch. She said nothing.

She couldn’t. Not yet. Dale’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face.

“What? Cat got your tongue?”Still, she stayed silent. Her heart thudded louder.Then, as if summoned by her dread, there was a sharp knock at the door.

Dale’s brows lifted, amused. “Expecting someone, sweetheart?” He stalked to the door, swinging it open without a care.

And there he was. Lance Jonas, in all his cold, terrifying glory. Impeccably dressed. Calm as a loaded gun.

“Dale Lane,” Lance greeted smoothly, as if they were old friends sharing a drink.

“Mind if I come in?”Dale blinked, clearly caught off guard—but never one to pass up a power play, he stepped aside with a mocking grin.

“Well, well. To what do I owe this honor, Mr. Jonas?” Dale asked, sauntering back toward the couch.

“I assume it’s not about my stellar performance at work.”Lance didn’t sit. He stood, towering, every inch of him dripping with controlled authority.

“I came to discuss your wife.”Dale barked out a laugh. “My wife?” He shot Sheila a glance, his expression twisting into something ugly.

“I’m guessing she’s been putting on quite the show at your office.”Sheila flinched, but neither man acknowledged it.

“She caught my attention,” Lance said, voice flat but firm.

“I have a proposal.”Dale leaned back, eyes narrowing with predatory curiosity.

“I’m listening.”

“I want her to pose as my wife for six months. Strictly business. In return, I’ll pay you three times your annual salary.”Dale’s laughter filled the room, harsh and sharp.

He looked over at Sheila with thinly veiled disgust.“You really think she’s worth that much?” Dale sneered, waving a dismissive hand toward her.

“She’s useless. Can’t cook, can’t please a man, always sulking around like she’s some sad little ghost. You’re wasting your time, Mr. Jonas.”Lance’s gaze didn’t waver.

“She fits the exact description of the woman my grandfather approves of. That’s all that matters. Like I said, three times your annual salary."Dale’s eyes gleamed at the mention of money, but he still played coy.

“Three times? Nah, you’re thinking too small. Let’s say ten.”

“Five,” Lance countered instantly, his voice like steel. Dale’s grin widened. He loved the game.

“Eight.”Lance’s expression remained unchanged.

“Seven. Final offer.”The air thickened between them. Dale’s greed flickered behind his eyes, calculating. Seven times his salary was more money than he’d ever seen in his life. Enough to pay off his debts, move somewhere new, and start fresh—with or without Sheila.

After a long pause, Dale gave a slow, deliberate smile.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”Sheila’s breath hitched, her throat closing around the lump rising fast and fierce.

“That’s it?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Dale didn’t even look at her. He extended his hand toward Lance, sealing her fate without so much as a second thought.

Lance’s handshake was brief. Businesslike. Icy.As he turned to leave, Lance’s eyes met hers for a fleeting moment.There was no warmth there. No pity. Just that same unsettling calm.

“You’ll hear from me soon,” he said quietly.

And then he was gone. The door closed with a soft click, but it echoed like a gunshot in Sheila’s ears.

She stood frozen, watching Dale count imaginary stacks of money in his head, already dreaming of what he’d do with the fortune he’d just sold her for.

Her hands curled into fists, nails biting into her palms.

He sold me.

He didn’t even hesitate. And somewhere beneath the crushing wave of humiliation and anger, another feeling began to creep in—dark, terrifying, but impossible to ignore.

Relief. Because even if it wasn’t her choice…Even if it came wrapped in shame…She was finally leaving Dale. And that was a price she might just be willing to pay.