BOUND BY FORTUNE

Chapter 1

The dim light of the hospital hallway flickered, casting long shadows against the pale, peeling walls. Stella Monroe held (in hand) her sketchpad tightly, her fingers shaking with fear as she pressed it against her chest. The faint sound of machines beeping from her brother Nathan's room echoed like (a device that clicks out a regular musical beat) in the stillness.

"Miss Monroe?" A soft, (full of apologies) voice broke the silence.

Stella turned to face Dr. Hammond, her brother's attending doctor, whose expression was a mix of pity and regret. Stella hated that look. She had seen it too many times before--on social workers, (managers of apartment buildings), even strangers passing her in the street.

"I'm afraid the new treatment won't be covered under his insurance," Dr. Hammond said carefully. "And without it..."

The words hung in the air like a death legal punishment. Stella's knees buckled a little, but she caught herself on the cold metal railing beside her.

"How much?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

The doctor waited, then handed her a piece of paper. Stella's eyes widened as she read the figure, her stomach twisting into a knot. It was more than she could ever dream of earning, even if she worked double moves/changes at both jobs for the next ten years.

Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away. She couldn't fall apart--not now. Nathan needed her. She swallowed hard and straightened her back, though the weight of feelings that there was no hope threatened to crush her.

"Thank you, Dr. Hammond," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'll figure something out."

As the doctor walked away, Stella sank onto the worn bench in the hallway, staring with no emotion at her sketchpad. The detailed design she had been working on--a twisting and flowing pattern of roses and vines--seemed (without any point or purpose) now.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of her phone. She fished it out of her bag and frowned at the unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" she answered slowly.

"Miss Stella Monroe?" The voice on the other end was smooth, strict/excellent, and cold.

"Yes, who's speaking?"

"This is Sophia Grant, Mr. Kelvin Blackwood's helper. He would like to meet with you.

"Kelvin Blackwood?" Stella repeated, her brow grooving. She had heard of him, of course. Everyone in New York knew the name. Billionaire CEO of Blackwood Businesses. Cruel. Untouchable.

"I think you have the wrong person," Stella said quickly.

"On the opposite," Sophia replied coolly. "Mr. Blackwood is very interested in your work. He's seen your designs and believes they could be good for his groups and his upcoming project."

Stella's heart skipped a beat. Someone like Kelvin Blackwood (had seen) her art? It seemed too good to be true.

"Why... why me?" she asked suspiciously.

"You'll have to ask him yourself," Sophia said. "Be at his office tomorrow at ten a.m. sharp. The address will be sent to you shortly."

Before Stella could respond, the line went dead.

She stared at her phone, her thoughts racing. Why would a man like Kelvin Blackwood want to meet her? She wasn't anyone special--just a struggling artist trying to make ends meet.

But the memory of the medical bill in her pocket was a harsh reminder of her reality. If this meeting could somehow help Nathan, she couldn't afford to turn it down.

—_:

The next morning, Stella found herself standing in front of the very tall Blackwood Businesses building. The glass at the front of the building shined in the morning sun, reflecting the very busy city below. Stella's worn coat and scuffed boots felt out of place among the sea of custom-designed suits and designer heels.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, her heart pounding. The smooth and shiny lobby was a (group of different sounds that sounded beautiful together) of marble and chrome, with a huge large, fancy lighting fixture shining and twinkling (like jewelry) overhead.

"Miss Monroe?" A polished woman in a sharp navy suit approached her.

"Yes," Stella replied, holding (in hand) her sketchpad.

"I'm Sophia Grant. Follow me, please."

Stella followed Sophia to a private elevator that whisked them to the top floor. The doors opened to show a huge office covered in natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an amazing view of the city, and modern, plain furniture showed wealth and power.

Behind a huge desk sat Kelvin Blackwood. He looked up as they entered, his piercing gray eyes locking onto Stella.

"Miss Monroe," he said, rising to his feet. His voice was deep and commanding, with an edge that sent a shake from fear down her spine.

Stella's breath caught as she took him in. He was tall, with sharp features and an air of extremely easy authority. His custom-designed suit fit him perfectly, focusing on his broad shoulders and lean frame.

"Thank you for coming," he said, gesturing for her to sit.

Stella waited before sitting on the edge of a smooth and shiny leather chair. Kelvin's look was intense, studying her like a puzzle he meant to solve.

"I'll get straight to the point," Kelvin said, his tone quick and energetic. "I need a wife."

The words hung in the air, and Stella blinked, certain she had misheard.

"I'm sorry, what?" she talked unclearly.

"A wife," Kelvin repeated, leaning back in his chair. "It's a long story, but it is enough to say that my grandfather's will needs me to marry to secure my inheritance."

"And you... want me?" Stella asked in a shocked, unbelieving way.

Kelvin's lips strangely qualified into a faint smile. "Let's just say you fit the judging requirements. You're quiet (so nobody else will know), you're not involved in the big business world, and you need financial assistance that I can resolve."

Stella's mind raced. This was insane. She barely knew this man, and he was proposing... marriage?

"I understand this is a lot to take in," Kelvin continued smoothly. "But think about it. One year of your life, and in return, I'll pay off all you’re the money you owed, including your brother's medical bills."

Stella's heart squeezed tightly at any talk about Nathan. The thought of him suffering, of losing him...

"What's the catch?" she asked nervously.

Kelvin's smile didn't reach his eyes. "The catch is simple: our marriage will be a business arrangement. No feelings of love and no difficulties. At the end of the year, we part ways."

Stella stared at him, torn between shock and not believing. This was madness. But it could save Nathan.

"Do we have a deal?" Kelvin asked, extending his hand.

Stella waited, her mind whirling with fear, doubt, and hope. Finally, she reached out, her fingers brushing his.

"Deal," she whispered.

Kelvin's grip tightened (a) little, his eyes shining with something unreadable.

"Good," he said. "Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Blackwood."

As Stella's heart raced with the weight of her decision, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just made a deal with the devil--and that her life would never be the same again.