Chapter 4: One Impossible Condition
288 Words
Ariana stared at the contract lying on the leather seat.
One year.
One fake marriage.
In exchange, her family's company would survive.
"No."
Damian raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I'd rather lose everything than sell myself."
For the first time that night, a faint smile crossed Damian's lips.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Ariana frowned.
"What?"
"I don't want a woman who marries for money. I want someone who still has principles."
He reached into his briefcase and pulled out another file.
"This isn't your father's debt."
He handed it to her.
"It's your father's medical report."
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
Stage Two Heart Disease.
Recommended surgery within thirty days.
Estimated cost...
$480,000.
Ariana felt her breathing become uneven.
"No..."
"He never told you," Damian said quietly.
"He didn't want you to worry."
Tears filled her eyes.
"My father..."
"Is running out of time."
The silence inside the car became unbearable.
"What exactly do you want from me?" Ariana whispered.
Damian looked straight ahead.
"Three things."
"You will attend every public event with me."
"You will convince my grandmother that our marriage is real."
"And..."
He paused.
"You will never fall in love with me."
Ariana almost laughed.
"As if that would ever happen."
Damian nodded once.
"Good."
He opened the car door.
"You have until tomorrow morning."
"If you don't call me by eight o'clock..."
He handed her a black business card.
"...I'll assume your answer is no."
The Rolls-Royce disappeared into the rainy night.
Ariana stood alone beneath the streetlight.
She looked at the business card.
Then at her father's medical report.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
For the first time in her life...
Love wasn't the hardest choice.
Family was.
- Writer
