Hurt and healed by love

Episode2

Rafael had just had a discussion with the doctor. He was briefed about the baby’s illness. “He is in a critical condition, he is barely breathing. I’m not so sure if he’ll survive the next hour, we can only try,” the doctor explained.

He deposited thrice the money in the blink of an eye. As the transaction took place, the doctor realized who he was and sprung up immediately, “Mr Vanderbilt! I didn’t know it was you.”

“The child and mother must be properly taken care of. Get the top doctors in this hospital. You wouldn’t want to lose everything you own before dawn, would you?” Rafael’s voice was deep and authoritative.

The doctor knew Rafael wasn’t bluffing, he could turn him into a street beggar before morning. He made urgent calls and the top doctors at the hospital gathered at Ryan’s and Zara’s ward.

Every staff in the hospital quickly adjusted themselves as they heard of his presence. The hospital became quieter and more organized in a few minutes.

Rafael settled on the chair in the reception, he was very tired and slightly drunk. He had been through a lot, from family drama to this.

….

Rafael Vanderbilt had just come from a family gathering that didn’t go really well. He almost got into a fist fight with his step brother, as usual. The pressure was weighing heavily on him. He played with the glass of alcohol, finding it difficult to drink like he always does whenever he was upset.

He was in the inner room of the VIP section. His family owned the place, so it was only accessible to the Vanderbilts. He usually uses the secret space to spy on business partners, but sometimes, he uses the place to quietly down on alcohol whenever he was troubled or pissed.

He turned away from Tristan and his two dancing girls as he went deep in his thoughts, thinking of solutions for the current trouble he was facing . He didn’t know how much time had passed, but when the spilled drinks brought him back to reality, he couldn’t find the two dancing girls. Instead, a very good-looking young woman stood before Tristan.

He definitely recognized her from somewhere, he would never forget that face.

He watched the whole scene, her bravery, her anger, her posture. Although he couldn’t hear a word of what they were saying, the lady captivated him. He could see her folded fist, her blazing and teary eyes.

And when it seemed like she was going to undress, he got pissed and disappointed, “They are all the same, anyway.”

When he was about to turn away completely, he saw the speed and force she used in smashing bottle on his head. He was shocked, but excited.

Finally! A woman who doesn’t sell herself, especially to a low man like Tristan. He hated him.

He watched her run, his heart wanted to chase after her to ensure she was safe at least, but something else told him to just mind his business since he had enough to deal with already.

It took a minute of contemplating before he jumped up and ran outside, trying to find the girl, but she was nowhere to be seen.

He stood on the street, hoping to see her running but nothing. With disappointment, he decided to go home.

As he drove slowly in the rain with an occupied mind, he almost ran into a woman, crying with a baby in her arms.

He stopped his car and jumped out to help her. He’d gotten close enough when he recognized the dress on her, it was the woman from the bar just now.

NEXT MORNING….

Zara blinked slowly as her eyes adjusted to the bright white light. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts and remember exactly how and why she’s waking up in a hospital gown.

“Oh! Perfect timing. The voice startled her, she didn’t realize she wasn’t alone.

“Who are you?” She glanced at the man, wondering if he was a doctor, a very well-dressed and good-looking one.

“Ryan! Where’s Ryan!?” Zara shouted as soon as her brain clicked.

“That’s your son’s name?” Rafael asked, checking his wristwatch to calculate how much time he had before his next business meeting.

“Yes, Is he okay?” Zara panicked,

“Yes, yes, he’s responding to treatment. The doctors were up all night.” He nodded, adjusting his wristwatch.

“Treatment…, But…, no money,” she stuttered,

“I took care of that,” Rafael replied simply.

Zara blinked. She felt relief and worry at the same time. “Thank you, I’ll repay you, I promise. It might be bit by bit, but I’ll definitely pay you back,” she said with determination.

“Well…, this is new.” Rafael gave a small laugh, leaving Zara confused. He wasn’t expecting her to offer to pay back, especially with such determination.

“You could do that, you know…, the bit by bit stuff. Or you could accept what I’m about to offer and have a different life.”

“Huh?” It sounded like gibberish to Zara, she didn’t understand a word.

“Before that, are you raising your child alone? I mean.., no father figure, no boyfriend, fiancé, baby da…,”

“No! I’m a single mother. There’s nobody anywhere” Zara cut him off, getting agitated and defensive.

Rafael noticed, but smirked, “That’s perfect.”

“And why is that perfect?” She raised a brow, wondering what this man had up his sleeves.

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll cut to the chase. I’m offering you a deal, a marriage contract. You just have to pretend to be my wife and Ryan is my son. Then…,”

“Woah, woah, hold it there. Are you out of your mind? Sitting here comfortably and offering to buy not just me but my son. I think you should be in a hospital gown,” Zara was confused and annoyed.

Just because he could see that she had no money, doesn’t give him the right to insult her.

“Buy? This can’t be your first time hearing of a marriage contract, is it? You just have to name your price, I’ll give you whatever amount of money, buildings ,cars, lands.

A better life for your baby boy,” Rafael shrugged,

“Don’t you dare bring my baby into your silly talk!” She glared.

“You should calm down, I just saved you and your son’s life,” Rafael reminded , and he saw the anger in her eyes slowly melt away.

Zara knew he was right, getting angry at her helper was very stupid.

“Who are you?” She asked in a calm tone.

“Rafael Vanderbilt.” He said his name awkwardly, he had never really had to say his name.

Zara raised a surprised brow, “The Vanderbilt?”

He nodded, watching her expression calmly. Zara knew the name, the immense wealth it carried, the level of respect it commands.

They were the richest family in the country. Their names appeared in every magazine, T. V shows, newspapers.

“Rafael Vanderbilt,” she pronounced the name slowly. She never imagined sitting face to face with someone with that last name. “What do you want with me?”

“I said that before. I’m offering you a deal, a marriage contract. I help you, give you money and power. And you also help me by being my contract wife.” His words were so smooth and clear with no expression, like he was reading it out of a book.

Money and power, Zina’s ears perked at the sound of that. It was something she had yearned and desired for years. She sat upright, looking at Rafael with seriousness, “ Why do you need a contract wife…, and son?”

“Well, to put it simply, I don’t want to lose my inheritance to my stepbrother. Having a wife and son puts me ten steps ahead of him.”

“Family politics…,” Zara gave a small smile.

“You can say that. Your job is just to show up and put on an act for events and family gatherings. The contract should last for two years max, and then we go our separate ways. You get a hundred million every month for two years, plus a few properties, any other thing you want?” He asked with so much confidence, like he could give her the continent if she asked.

Zara eyed him, the whole conversation felt too good to be true, like a dream. Maybe she was in a coma and this was her subconscious mind.

“There’s a family I want to bring down, a very solid and wealthy family but is no match with the Vanderbilts, of course. Can you help me with that?” She asked, hoping she wasn’t asking for too much, and was scared he would stand up and decline.

“Sure,” he replied instantly.

Zara tried so hard to control her expression, money to take care of Ryan and give him the best life, power not to be tossed around by people anymore, and revenge for what she and her sister had to go through. All for just putting on a show?

“Just to be clear, I don’t have any marital obligations to you, this is just pretense?” She asked suspiciously and he scoffed like he heard a joke, “ Please, no strings or crazy feelings involved. This is business.” His voice was low and strict, like he was giving out a warning.

“I accept your offer.” Her heart was beating as she said those words, she was expecting him to burst out laughing saying it was a prank until he stretched out a small envelope.

“I prepared it before coming here this morning, sign this for now, other paperwork will be ready within twenty-four hours.”

She opened the paper and glanced through it.

“Pen?”

She drew her signature, ready for whatever this will bring, which she was certain was a better life.