HIS TERMS, HER HEART

A DEAL SHE CAN'T REFUSE

A sharp knock interrupted the tension in Julian's office.

"Come in," he called out.

"Good morning, sir," Vincent greeted as he entered, then turned to acknowledge Aria with a polite nod. "Good morning, miss."

Aria stood nervously, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

"Ah, perfect timing," Julian said with a calculated smile. "You were asking about the offer, weren't you, Miss Mason?"

"Yes, sir," Aria replied, though perspiration had begun to form on her forehead despite the office's cool temperature. Her instincts told her she wasn't going to like what came next.

"As I mentioned, you can have the position, but there's a condition attached," Julian said, his tone carefully neutral.

"What kind of condition, sir?" Aria asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"My legal advisor will explain the details," Julian said, gesturing toward Vincent with practiced ease.

Vincent stepped forward with a professional smile. "Good morning, Miss Mason. How are you today?"

"I'm... I'm fine, sir," Aria stammered, her nervousness evident.

"The offer is quite straightforward," Vincent began, his voice taking on the measured tone of a legal presentation. "Mr. Carrington is proposing a contractual arrangement—specifically, a marriage contract between you and him. This wouldn't be done without compensation, of course. If you're willing to comply with the terms and conditions, the benefits would be substantial."

Both men fixed their gazes on Aria, waiting for her response. The silence stretched uncomfortably as she struggled to process what she'd just heard.

"Con... contract?" she stammered.

"Yes, a contract marriage," Vincent confirmed, helping her find the words.

"The job is yours the moment you agree to this condition," Julian added with cold indifference.

"And before you worry about permanence," he continued, "this arrangement would only last one year. After that, we're done."

The words hit Aria like a physical blow. For a moment, her fear transformed into something fiercer.

"Do you think I'm for sale?" she asked, her voice rising with unexpected strength. "Do you think I have no value beyond what money can buy?"

Vincent stepped back, clearly taken aback by her sudden outburst. "Please, let's remain calm—"

Julian merely watched with detached interest, as if observing a mildly entertaining performance.

"You have twenty-four hours to decide whether you want this opportunity or not," Julian said firmly, his voice cutting through her protest like ice. "And I think you understand what refusing means."

The implications hung heavy in the air—no job, no income, no future for her and Lila.

"You know what?" Aria said, her dignity flaring one last time. "I'm done here!"

She stormed out of the office, leaving both men behind as she rushed through the corridors and out of the building, her heart pounding with rage and humiliation.

---

The taxi ride home passed in a blur of anger and tears. When Aria finally stumbled through Mrs. Craig's front door, the weight of everything crashed down on her at once.

"Oh God!" she screamed, collapsing onto the living room floor as sobs wracked her body.

"Aria! What happened?" Mrs. Craig rushed from the kitchen, her face immediately filled with concern.

But Aria could only cry, the words trapped somewhere between rage and despair.

"Aria, please talk to me," Mrs. Craig pleaded, kneeling beside her and gently rubbing her back. "I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong."

When it became clear that Aria needed time to compose herself, Mrs. Craig quietly slipped away to check on Lila, who had been running a fever since morning.

"Still sleeping," she whispered to herself, touching the child's warm forehead with worry.

In her own room, Mrs. Craig paced anxiously. What could have happened at that job to cause such devastation? she wondered. Finally, she knelt beside her bed.

"Lord, please help this young woman. She's carrying more than anyone should have to bear," she prayed earnestly.

When she returned to the living room, Aria had stopped crying but sat staring at the wall with hollow eyes.

"Are you ready to talk now?" Mrs. Craig asked gently, settling beside her.

Aria nodded slowly, then took a shuddering breath.

"The CEO said I could have the job, but only if I agree to a contract marriage with him," she said, her voice flat with exhaustion.

"What?" Mrs. Craig gasped. "Marriage?"

"A business arrangement. One year, and then it's over," Aria continued mechanically. "He gave me twenty-four hours to decide."

Mrs. Craig sat in stunned silence for a moment before standing abruptly and heading to her room, where she could express her outrage privately.

"How can that man be so heartless?" she whispered angrily. "Lord, please give Aria wisdom and strength."

A child's cry from the bedroom interrupted her prayers. Both women rushed to Lila's room, arriving at the door simultaneously.

"She's been feverish all morning," Mrs. Craig explained as they entered. "I didn't want to worry you with everything else happening."

"Oh, sweetheart," Aria whispered, immediately going to her daughter's bedside. "She has medication for this, and we usually see a doctor regularly, but..." She trailed off, the implications clear.

"What exactly is her condition?" Mrs. Craig asked professionally, her nursing instincts taking over.

"Hydrocephalus," Aria replied, her voice breaking. "Excess fluid in the brain. The medical bills are... they're overwhelming."

Mrs. Craig's heart clenched, though she maintained her calm exterior. As a nurse, she understood the severity and cost of treating such a condition.

"She's going to be okay," Mrs. Craig said firmly, placing a comforting hand on Aria's shoulder. "God will provide a way."

"Amen," Aria whispered, though her eyes remained fixed on her daughter's flushed face.

---

Meanwhile, at the Carrington mansion, dinner was winding down.

"I trust Aria reported to the office today," Mrs. Carrington said with satisfaction.

"Yes, she did," Julian replied curtly.

"And don't forget our previous conversation about that young lady," his mother continued, her tone carrying an unmistakable warning. "The consequences of ignoring my wishes remain the same."

"Understood. Good night, Mother," Julian said quickly, eager to escape before she could elaborate further.

In his room, Julian immediately called Vincent.

"How do you think today went?" Julian asked with evident amusement.

"Good evening, boss. I think it went as expected," Vincent replied.

"Thank you for your support today. I'm confident she'll accept—she needs the job and the money too desperately to refuse. Really, I'm the one doing her a favor here," Julian said with characteristic arrogance.

"She'd be foolish to decline," Vincent agreed. "And I have that family lawyer I mentioned—specializes in contract marriages. Very discreet."

"Perfect. Congratulations in advance on becoming the new CEO," Vincent added.

"Thank you. You'll benefit from this arrangement too," Julian assured him before ending the call.

Julian had always despised anything that threatened his ego or control, and this situation would soon be resolved entirely on his terms.

---

In her temporary bedroom, Aria tossed restlessly, unable to find peace. Sleep eluded her as the impossible choice consumed her thoughts.

Maybe I should accept, she thought desperately. It's only one year, and I could manage that. God will help me through it.

The image of Lila's fevered face haunted her. I can't let my daughter suffer because of my pride. I won't let her condition worsen because I couldn't swallow my dignity.

"I have to do this for Lila," she whispered into the darkness, tears streaming down her face. "I'll go to his office tomorrow and tell him I accept."

Exhaustion finally overcame her anguish, and she drifted into fitful sleep.

---

Morning came too soon. After her prayers, Aria checked on Lila, whose fever persisted. The sight of her daughter's pale, warm face made her decision crystal clear.

She bathed and dressed quickly, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

"Good morning, Mrs. Craig. I'm leaving now," she announced as she entered the kitchen. "I've decided to accept his offer."

The silence between them spoke volumes.

"I can't tell you what to do," Mrs. Craig finally said, her voice heavy with understanding. "This decision belongs to you alone. But whatever you choose, I support you completely."

They embraced tightly, both women knowing that this moment would change everything.

"Pray for me," Aria whispered.

"Always," Mrs. Craig replied as Aria headed out to face her future.