The Billionaire's Contract Wife

“If you can't get the money in a week, all treatment will be seized." Doctor Khan says, his face stern as he tucks his hands into his pocket. "Please doctor, just give me more time. I will get the money I prom–” "Rose this is a hospital and if we kept doing this for every person the hospital would run down. You have a week, if you don't pay up she is pulled out of all treatments." he barks, not sparing me another glance before he turns and leaves. My fingers trembles, the paper in my hand wobbling as I stare at the bill like it is my own personal doom. Because it is. Twenty three thousand dollars. That's how much I need to pay St. Mercy Hospital in a week or else my mom's treatment stops and she dies from any slight sickness. “Hey, are you okay?" Nurse Trisha asks, her blue scrubs coming into view as she exists my mom's room. “N–no. The doctor said that–” "It's the procedure dear." she doesn't let me finish because she already knows. “I will get the money." I murmur, determination swirling up in my guts as I take a step back not sparing her a glance before slipping into the ward. I don't care what it takes. Inside, mom laid with her eyes closed beneath her are white sheets that smelled like antiseptic and fear, oxygen tubes rested beneath her nose. Her once full cheeks now hollowed into fragile curves. “I’m trying, Mom,” I whisper, brushing my trembling fingers over her hand. “Just give me a little more time.” I add, pressing my eyelids close so the tears won't fall. Time, unfortunately, charged interest. My mom was diagnosed with Asplatic anemia sometime last year, her red blood cell, white and even the platets all failed. None of them are working, leaving her system empty and unable to protect her. The simple solution is surgery. But the money is not something we can afford, before she got sick mom was just a cleaner in a grocery store earning barely enough to feed us while I was drowning in student loans and hopping from one measly job to another. Paul, my younger brother, just finished high school and refuses to go to college only to end up drowning in debt like me. I shake my head, refusing to drown myself my problem instead I rise to my feet kissing my mom's head before slipping back out. The smell of antiseptic and soap slams into me as I move through the halls and outside the hospital heading towards the small apartment that we call home. “Paul are you back?" I call out, shuffling the through the tiny room as I make my way to the bathroom. “Kitchen." he yells but I don't respond until I am done refreshing. “What the hell is that?" I shriek, eyeing him from behind the counter as he stirs God knows what on the gas. "Food of course.” he grits out, his dirty blonde hair just like mine sticking out in weird angles. I am about to lash out at him when a heavy knock on the door snaps me out of my comeback. My heart thuds out loudly, “I will take it, you go change up and stay out of the kitchen." I say, steeling my voice even though my heart is beating like crazy. “Where the f**k is my money?" Mr Jordan barks the moment I pull the door open, his eyes burning red as he glares at me. “I will get you–” "Cut the useless crap, it's been three months and your advance is over. If you don't get my money in three days then get ready to be thrown out." he growls, not waiting for my response before he turns and walks away. “Poor ass people." I hear him insult as he turns, taking the stairs. Sigh. I press my head against the door as I shut it, slowly turning a round to place myself against it. “Was it the landlord?” I flinch, snapping my head up only to see my brother glaring at the door. “Paul, I told you to freshen up. It's not the landlord everything is okay." I lie through my teeth not wanting him caught up in this mess. “I am not a child stop lying to me okay? I know that's the–" “YES, IT'S THE f*****g LANDLORD!” I scream, unable to keep it all inside anymore. It's too much, and I just snap. "What are you going to do? He is going to throw us out in the next three days if we don't come up with the payment and Mom's treatment stops in a week if we don't deposit twenty three thousand dollars in a week and my student loans keeps piling up–" my words chokes in my throat as I turn around marching to the damn toilet. I slide down against the door, tears rushing down my eyes as I hiccup, having no idea what to do. I thought going to college would help, if I could just get my certificate I would get a good job and change the life of my family. What a big joke. All college did for me was to bring loans I didn't bargain for and send me packing out of New York the moment I graduated. Now? Now I have no damn idea what to do. Where the hell would I even get such money? The buzzing of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts, I reach for my phone. Unknown number. My breath hitch as I debate ignoring it as these debt collectors have a certain habit of using unknown numbers to call. Always persistent like a shark hunting a trace of blood but something nudges me to swipe green. “Hello?” I ask, my voice low and barely there as I prepare to press the red button if I hear their familiar tone. “Good afternoon. Is this Rose Macaulay?” my body jolts away from the door as the voice is different. Professional. “Yes.” I respond, taking a leap of faith. “This is Savy Tech. We’re calling regarding your application for the CEO’s personal assistant position. We’d like you to come in for an interview tomorrow at nine.” she says, my brain taking a moment to process and when it does. The world paused. Savy Tech. The Savy Tech. The same company that built apps people worshipped and devices people slept beside, the same company that turned code into empires. The one I playfully applied to, not sure if I would ever get a call. “Yes,” I say sharply when I realize I have been quiet for a second too long. “Yes, of course. I’ll be there.” I add quickly. “Good, see you at nine. Don't be late." she says from the other line and the call ends. I can't help as I burst out laughing, disbelief swirling in my chest as hope stretches in my limbs. If I get this job, I would be able to pay every single of my bills as time goes on. If I get this job we would be free. ~ I skid down the road clutching the small shopping bag tighter between my fingers as if holding them loosely would cause it to vanish. Inside it lay the best of what I could afford, a navy blue office dress and a pair of heels that looked like it was about to fall apart. It was afterall only for one day so I can manage. My entire countenance changes when a car suddenly split through sending waves of water all over my body. "ARE YOU CRAZY?” I scream, praying my dress is fine but when I see the car slow down yet it doesn't stop. Fury burns in my bones not even waiting to think as I reach for a stone and hurl it at the car. Smash. My eyes widens as the car comes to a halt, the windscreen shattering by the side. Oh dear what have I done? The door pushes open and someone steps out, my entire body goes pale when they meet those familiar eyes. The same eye s that hunted my dreams, and burned me to ashes. "What they hell are you doing here?” I growl, my chest rising as that familiar feeling swirls up. Rage.