The Heir’s Inheritance

Episode4

SARAH'S POV:

Contract marriage?

Why would Robert want to marry me? And from the looks of things, he has been sitting on this for some time now.

“What is this?” I ask in a confused and desperate tone.

“Marry me, and in exchange I will pay all your mother's hospital bills and ensure that she receives the best medical treatment possible.” Robert explains.

“I will have an oncologist flown into the city from one of the best hospitals in the world.” Robert says, further sweetening the deal.

“Wait, wait, wait— why would you want to marry someone who almost stole from you?!” Beth interrupts in a confused tone.

Oh my God! Am I dreaming?! I'm so shocked that I can barely form any coherent sentence. My eyes fall back to the contract in front of me as I ignore the inquisitive gaze belonging to Robert and Beth.

“Isn't that enough?” Robert asks with a small frown on his face. “Fine. I will pay off all your student loans as well as any other debt you might have incurred prior to this day.”

“That is my final offer.” Robert says finally, in a resolute tone that leaves no room for any argument.

“What the hell?! You can't just swoop in here and buy a wife! It doesn't work that way!” Beth says through a clenched jaw, her tone giving me the support and comfort I need.

“Why me?” I finally ask in a dry tone. “You've attended a lot of events recently, and you always make an appearance with top models and actresses, why can't you ask one of them to marry you?” I ask, my tone riddled with confusion.

Robert chuckles under his breath as he stares me down. “You've been stalking me I see.” He says with a smirk on his lips.

“No, I haven't! I only looked you up because of my plan to steal the ring from you.” I say in an aggravated tone, refusing to allow him see me as some bimbo desperate for his attention.

Robert hums under his breath in response as he settles down in his chair. “I need an answer.”

“But you haven't answered my question.” I say as I squeeze my hands into fists. I don't mean to sell myself short or anything, but I'm not delusional. I ignore Beth's stares, choosing only to focus on Robert.

There's definitely a reason why he's choosing to marry me and not the exceptionally pretty women in the pictures with him.

“I've known your mother for most of my life. It's just a coincidence that I need a wife. I help you, you help me, case closed.” Robert explains in a dismissive tone that doesn't sit right with me. However, I decide to let the matter go.

“Fine, but I can't give you an answer right this minute.” I say in a resolute tone, refusing to jump hastily into marriage with Robert.

“Too bad. My offer is only on the table for today.” Robert says with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders that intensifies the feelings of hopelessness building in my chest.

I have to make a decision and I have to make it fast. Do I dare sacrifice my life and my future in order for my mother to survive? It's just been the two of us for some time now.

She did her best to provide for us, and even though she barely spent time with me due to her working for the Lincoln's, she was always there in the best way she could.

My gaze moves from the contract to Robert's indifferent gaze, and I can't help but gulp in fear.

I just can't shake off the feeling that I might be making a huge mistake by tying myself to Robert. There's a darkness in his eyes that freaks me the f**k out and scares me to death.

When my eyes drift to Beth's figure, she shakes her head subtly at me, urging me to reconsider, but I have to do this.

This is the only chance I have at ensuring that my mom survives.

I pick up the pen about to sign my name when Robert stops me.

“Hold on.” He says with a pause as his expression transforms to a mean one.

“Who sent you to steal the ring? We can't proceed until I know the truth.” Robert demands in a harsh tone as he stares condescendingly at me.

I shake my head frantically as I stare fearfully at him. I can't tell him the truth.

But if I don't, that will put my life and my mother's life in danger, and if I do, Drew will come hunting my mother.

If only I can get him to not bother about it.

“Why does it matter? We can just proceed with the marriage.” I say in a frantic tone as I stare frantically at him.

“I can't get married to my enemy, Sarah. And that's what you will be if you withhold this information from me.” Robert says in a solemn tone that leaves me dizzy with fear.

I look at Beth and our eyes clash together as she gulps loudly in fear. There's no escaping this. We are both doomed.

“If you don't tell me who sent you, the deal is off. I can't protect you anymore. I will have you arrested and locked up.” Robert says in a threatening tone.

The expression on his face leads me to believe that he's not bluffing. He's indeed going to ruin my life.

My desperation increases when he takes out his phone from his pocket and puts a call to the chief of the police department.

He tells him that someone attempted to steal from him, and that the person is to be dealt with specially.

I'm not naive, I know how people in his social class handle people that are deemed traitors. I won't be arrested. No. That's too simple a punishment for the offence committed against a person of his status.

I will end up with a bullet in my head and my body dumped in the middle of the city where I will be identified by the coroner's department.

I don't see a way out of this problem I created.

I'm doomed.