BLOSSOM

chapter 4

Millie's POV

My head snapped up, eyes wide, “A marriage contract?” My voice came out strained. “ This is meant to be a business proposal.” My heart pounded in my ears, the office suddenly too small. What kind of sick joke is this? Marriage is no joke. I have enough on my plate to deal with than to be a good housewife slaving away in a mansion for a jerk of a husband. I needed money not bondage.

He shrugged, his face unbothered, as if my shock meant nothing.

“You’re sick. What you need is a surrogate or a baby making machine. I'm not that. I already have a 6 year old son and all these you listed here are downright outrageous. I just need my job back "I pleaded.

The casual indifference of his response made my stomach lurch. I dropped the document onto the desk. “I can’t do this,” I breathed, stepping back. I needed to leave, to get away from this monster of a boss.

“ Your son” His voice cut through the silence, sharp and daring as he took a sip of his tea. “That's the reason you want to keep this job. Think about him. Don't be selfish. I get a stable family to inherit this company and you also get a stable family and a lifetime of finance to strengthen your court case and clear your debt.” His tone shifted, each word dripping with menace. “From the way you barge in with a crazed look, that means you are clearly in need of help. I have seen that look before. Lots of times. And for the first time I'm willing to help someone with that look.”

I froze, my hand on the doorknob and I slowly turned to face him. A sinister smile rested on his face..

I stood bewildered at the words from his mouth. “ How- how- how did you find out about the court case? I never-”

He chuckled—a low, cruel sound that had fear gripping my guts.

“ You clearly don't know who I am. While you were going through the contract, I had someone dig up some dirt on you. And there are a lot. Now that I look closely, you are the same crazy woman I almost ran over with my car few nights ago. I know a victim when I see one " His smirk deepened.

“And the best thing to do is feed off their helplessness” I spat.

“No. I naturally don't give a f**k but since the night I almost killed you with my car coupled with today's incident, you intrigue me, little dove”.

“Have a nice day, Sir” I say calmly.

“ I can decide to sue you for all these allegations – breach of contract, looting company funds. But I won't”

I gripped the wall, my knuckles white. I could feel the anger bubbling in. He is throwing my desperation in my face. Literally saying I'm f****d in all aspects. Trying to get me to fold. I have clearly been framed by Cassie and something tells me that he knows that fact. He just loves to see me in pain. In torture.

I might be desperate but I'm not weak or stupid.

“With respect sir” I smile, “ you can take your sick proposal and shove it up your ass”. I slam the door harshly as I exit the office ignoring the scowl on his face.

I stepped outside the office building. Exhaustion clung to my body, not just from the day, but from everything. My first court summons was in two weeks, and I still couldn’t afford an attorney. Carlos ' brother's threat gave me sleepless nights. I was drowning. Everything is spiralling out of control. God please.

Am I actually being selfish? I clearly don't need a man in my life right now but I really need the money. Cocoon in thoughts, I stop by the park, my heart swelling with love as I watch the little kids play. I collapsed onto a bench. Time slipped away as I sat there, lost in my thinking until the sun slowly began to set.

Then suddenly, something inside me twisted, a sense of looming danger, crept into my bones. I had to get home. I knew this feeling too well—something bad was coming.

I bolted home, skidding to a stop on my front porch. My legs give out at the sight of the door wide open. Ajar.

Panic crawled up my spine as I stepped closer. Did I actually leave it open in my sprint? Or are the Carlos brother's here to collect their debt? Did they break in? Or was it me?

My whole body trembled as I tried to peek into the house.

“Finally you are back” a voice hissed behind me, its breath down my neck.

I freeze at the cold metal jamming against my back. My pulse jumps at the sound of his voice. “Get in”

“P–p–please” I beg. “Just give me more time.

“Move or I'll blow your brains out” the cold metal of the gun pressed harder against my back nudging me forward.

My legs carried me into the house. The lights flickered on, blinding me for a second. I refocused my gaze on the leader who lounged on my couch like he owned the place, legs crossed, cigarette dangling from his lips. The huge scar across his face— a gruesome sight. “Game over”

“I- I swear I'll pay” I stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. “M-m-more time.”

“Time?” He chuckled, “ We gave you that. But you took it for granted and kept running away. Changing cities.” He took a long drag of his cigarette, then looked at me, cold. “We are bored with that game. We want something new to play with. Your son.”

Everything inside me froze. “W-what?”

“Adrian, right?” He flicked the ash from his cigarette, unconcerned. “Cute kid.”

“No, please!” I dropped to my knees, wailing. “I’ll do anything—just don’t touch Adrian!”

The man raised an eyebrow, bored. “You had your chance. He’ll motivate you better than we could.”

Tears burned in my eyes as I begged, my voice hoarse. “Please... please, don't take him.”

The man snapped his fingers, his voice detached. "Bring the boy. Let him say a final goodbye to his mother."

From the corner of my eye, I saw a man dragging Adrian in from the kitchen. His small frame stumbled, eyes wide with fear. “ Mommy, don't leave me”

My heart seized. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

I rushed to him, collapsing onto my knees as I pulled him into my arms. My chest shook with sobs, but I couldn’t afford to cry—not now. I couldn't let them take him.

I looked around, wheels turning in my head as adrenaline pumped through me– spinning for a plan. The man with the gun had placed it on the table, whispering something to his boss. The other man—Adrian’s captor—was locking the door. There was no time, no clear path to safety.

But I had to try.

I gripped Adrian’s hand so tightly he whimpered, but I couldn’t let go. I yanked him toward the kitchen, our only chance. The back door.

“Get her! Don’t shoot!” The command shook the walls of the whole house, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Adrian’s small legs struggled to keep up as I pulled him along, the footsteps pounding behind us, closer.

I picked him up, ignoring the jabs of pain on my feet, the burn from my lungs. I ran.

A large bin. I barely registered what I was doing as I lifted him, practically throwing him inside. His eyes were wide with terror, but I forced the phone and Adán’s card into his tiny hands.

“Call the number, baby. Tell him mommy accepts his proposal. Tell him to come save Mommy.” I whispered, kissing his forehead as tears burned my eyes. “I love you, Adrian. I love you so much.”

His little frame trembled. His eyes were pouring out fresh tears, lips moved to say something, but I couldn’t stay. I had to lead them away from him. I turned and bolted, not daring to look back. My heart shattered with every step.

I dove behind the bushes, gasping for breath as their shouts echoed through the alley. I prayed—begged silently—that they wouldn’t find him. Minutes dragged by, and I could see them, their frustration boiling over as they searched.

And then I heard it. The sharp, shrill ring of my phone.

My stomach twisted.

Fuck. Adrian has my phone.

I stumbled forward, I had to distract them. I had to keep Adrian safe. Before I could get far, rough hands seized me, slamming me onto the cold, unforgiving ground.

"Get the boy," the bulky man barked.

“No!” I clawed at his leg, anything to stop him. A sharp kick met my ribs, sending waves of pain through my body. Then the punches came—fast, and hard. I could barely think as my vision blurred, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.

Through the haze, I saw them. They dragged Adrian from the bin, his small body fighting. His screams made my stomach churn as he struggled against his captors. A gun pressed to his head.

"Mommy, help me! M-mommy!!!"

But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t protect him.

“Mommy!!”

Please God. Please.

“Enough."

The voice was cold, calm. A voice I begged silently to hear. Adàn is here!

The punches stopped. I gasped for breath, barely able to lift my head. Adan stood there, his hand casually resting in his pocket, his blue eyes – a shade darker as we clocked eyes.

The bulky man sneered. “Stay out of this. You know the rules, Adan"

James glanced at me, his jaw ticked in annoyance, “she's family. She's my wife”

I could feel the fury radiating off the bulky man. He cursed under his breath, “Bullshit. Lies. We have been following her for years. She got no man!. I know you Adán. Everyone does. I know you don't mingle with f**k toys”

"That’s not how this works,Adán. You’re crossing a line—" His words were cut short by gunshot. Bodies hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Mommy!!”

“Adrian!” My voice tore from my chest as I staggered forward, forcing my broken limbs towards Adrian. He is alive. Thank God.

Adán was at my side, his hand firm on my shoulder. "Let’s go." His voice was low, commanding.

He helped me to my feet, guiding me to his car.

As we sat in the car, the adrenaline began to fade, replaced by a sinking dread. Adan tossed the contract and a pen on my lap. "I broke the rules for you. Gained new enemies because of you." he began. "Make sure you use the ink wisely, little dove"

I stared down at the document, my chest tightening. The marriage contract. My hands trembled as I picked it up.

The most important thing is Adrian is safe. That's all that matters right? But at what cost?

I felt my heart sink deeper. Maybe I had just stepped into a fire I could never escape.

My hands moved over the document, inscribing my signature, sealing my fate.