The Billionaire Doctor's Distraction

"Marry me." "What?" Asher asked, unable to believe she heard him right. "Hear me out." Johan held up his hand. "You mentioned your mother being in the ICU. I had someone verify the details, so I know about the medical bills, and frozen accounts. You need help, and I'm offering it." "In exchange for marriage." Her tone was flat and unbelievable. "In exchange for a temporary one-year partnership. We play the part of a happily married couple in public. You help me convince Margaret and the hospital board that we're legitimate.” He maintains eye-contact with her. “In return, I will take care of your mother's medical expenses. And you'll also get a five million dollar settlement when we divorce." Asher's eyes widened. "Five million—" "Plus resolution of the intellectual property theft. I'll make sure you get proper credit and compensation for your research, whether that's through licensing agreements, royalties, or whatever arrangement you prefer." "This is insane." Asher said, looking at his face for any sign of a joke but finding none. "This is completely insane." "Is it?" Johan's voice softened. "More insane than watching your mother die because you can't afford to save her? "You don't understand." "I understand perfectly." Johan moved to sit on the chair beside her bed. "You're in an impossible situation. The hospital is demanding payment for a surgery your mother needs to survive. You're running out of time and options." Asher closed her eyes. "Stop." "I'm offering you a way out. An arrangement that benefits us both." "By marrying you?" She opened her eyes and looked at him directly. "A man I barely know, whose mother accused me of being a gold-digger not even up to twenty-four hours ago!" She almost screamed. "Margaret accuses everyone of being a gold-digger. It's her default setting." Johan's jaw tightened. “Ignore her and focus on how this will benefit you. And me.” "But why marriage? Surely there must be a solution that doesn't involve marrying a stranger." Johan considered the question, weighing how much to reveal. "Margaret manipulated the terms after my father's death because she doesn't want me to have the hospital. This is the only way to claim what's rightfully mine without her interference." "And you think she'll just accept me? Agree to the marriage?" "She won't have a choice. Once we're married, the inheritance clause is fulfilled. The hospital becomes mine." Asher was silent for a long moment, her fingers twisting in the hospital blanket. "What exactly would this marriage entail?" she asked finally. "Public appearances as needed. Company events, charity galas, occasional dinners where Margaret or board members might see us. We'd need to live together, my house has plenty of space, so you'd have complete privacy and independence." "This is insane," Asher repeated, but there was less conviction in her voice now. "It's totally unreasonable. I don't know you, how can I trust..." She trailed off, at a loss for words. “Shhh” Johan silenced her with a smile. "Google will tell you everything you need to know about me." He straightened his cuffs, a gesture he made when he needed to feel in control. "Check my business reputation and my track record. I don't make promises I can't keep." "That's not the same as knowing someone." "No, it's not. But this is not a normal relationship, we're talking about a business arrangement." He paused. "I'm not asking you to fall in love with me, Asher. I'm offering you a way to save your mother's life and secure your own future. In return, you help me reclaim what my father built." Asher wrapped her arms around herself. "This feels wrong. Like I'd be selling myself." "You wouldn't be selling anything. You'd be entering a mutually beneficial contract." Johan's voice was gentle. "But I understand if it's too much. If the answer is no, I'll still help you with the IP theft situation. That wrong needs to be righted regardless." "Why?" Asher looked up sharply. "Why would you help me if I refuse?" "Because it's the right thing to do. Casper Reynolds stole from you and sold stolen property to my company. That's not acceptable, whether you marry me or not." Asher nodded. “I understand, but… It's just too much to take in.” “You don't have to give me an answer now. Take time to think it through. We can discuss it tomorrow, or whenever you feel ready." He patted her hand and moved to the door to leave. "Johan." Asher's voice stopped him. It was the first time she'd used his first name, and he liked the sound of it. "Why do you suddenly want the hospital back?” Johan turned back to face her. "My father built Cole Memorial. It meant everything to him but Margaret has turned it into something he wouldn't recognize." He paused, his expression unreadable. "I want to restore what he built.” "That's... great." "Maybe." Johan's tone didn't invite further questions. "Get some rest, Asher. We'll talk when you're ready." * * * Johan felt lighter as he walked down the hospital corridor. The offer was made. The choice was now Asher's, all he could do was wait. But as he reached the elevator, he felt uneasy, remembering Jesse. Asher had mentioned that her friend will be worried. If he's just a friend, why did that scene in Asher's room feel so intimate? Was there more to it? He called Lloyd. "Mr. Cole? Is everything okay?" "There's a guy hovering around Asher, I want to be sure there's no romantic involvement." "That must be Jesse. They're close friends. But there's no evidence of a romantic relationship." "Are you sure?" "Yes, along with his sister Amy. The three of them shared an apartment during their undergraduate years and maintained the arrangement afterward." “So, they are living together? Why didn't you tell me?" "It's more of a roommate situation. I didn't include some details in the initial report because they seemed irrelevant." "Lloyd." Johan kept his voice calm, but there was steel underneath. "I remember telling you I wanted to know everything." "Right. Sorry, sir." Papers rustled in the background. "Jesse and Amy have been friends with Asher Bennett since childhood. I'm sending you the expanded file now." The email notification appeared immediately. Lloyd had attached several photos to the report. The first was from what looked like a college matriculation ceremony. Johan zoomed in on the image and felt his blood run cold. There, standing with his arm around a younger Asher's shoulders, was a man in a navy blue suit. He was smiling at the camera, proud and distinguished. And Johan recognized him immediately. No. It couldn't be. He called Lloyd back, his knuckles were white as he gripped the phone. "The man in the navy blue suit. In the matriculation photo." Johan's voice came out rough. "How is he related to Asher?" "That's James Bennett, sir. Asher's father." The phone nearly slipped from Johan's grip. He leaned against the wall, his vision swimming. All the air seemed to have left the corridor. He'd been so focused on Asher's situation that he hadn't thought to confirm her father's identity. He'd seen the name "James Bennett" in the reports and never connected it to the man who'd haunted his nightmares for years. The one woman who'd made him want to try again was the daughter of the man he hated most in the world. How could he marry James Bennett's daughter? How could he bring her into his life, look at her every day, and not see the man who'd destroyed his father?