The CEO’s Contract Wife

[A contract to save her mother. A marriage to destroy her heart.] Ava The hospital room smelled like death and antiseptic. "Mom, please hold on," I whispered, gripping her cold hand. The machines beeped too slow. Too final. Dr. Evans cleared his throat behind me. "Miss Cooper. We discussed the surgery. $2 million. Without it..." He didn't finish. He didn't need to. Two. Million. Dollars. I worked two jobs and still had $43.12 in my account. I could sell a kidney and still be short. My phone buzzed. Unknown number. I almost ignored it. Then I saw the text preview: "I can save your mother. Be at Zhang Tower, Penthouse. 8pm. Come alone. — C.Z." My stomach dropped. Caleb Zhang. The billionaire CEO everyone in the city whispered about. Cold. Ruthless. The man who fired my friend for crying at work. Why would he... "Mom?" Her eyelids fluttered. "Ava... don't..." Then she flatlined. The machines screamed. Nurses ran in. And I ran out. 8:00 PM. Zhang Tower. The elevator opened straight into his penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows. A city of lights at his feet. And him. Caleb Zhang stood by the bar in a $5,000 suit, swirling whiskey like he owned my life. Which, in 10 minutes, he might. "You're late," he said without looking at me. His voice was ice. "Sit." I didn't. "You said you could save my mom." He finally turned. Gray eyes that had ruined grown men. "I can. The best surgeons. Tonight. Full payment covered." My heart slammed against my ribs. "What's the catch?" He slid a thick document across the marble counter. Gold lettering on the front: MARRIAGE CONTRACT "Marry me," he said flatly. "For one year. Be my perfect wife in public. In private, we are nothing. Do this, and your mother lives. Refuse..." He shrugged. "Plan her funeral." The machines were still screaming in my head. "Why me?" My voice cracked. "You could have any woman—" "Because you're desperate," he cut in. "And desperate women don't ask questions." He checked his watch. "Your mother has 47 minutes before they declare time of death. The surgeon is waiting on my call." He pushed a pen toward me. "Sign it, Miss Cooper. Become the CEO's contract wife. And your mother gets to see tomorrow." My hand shook over the paper. Outside, an ambulance siren wailed.