The Billionaire’s Unwanted Bride

CHAPTER 1 — A: The Rain Would Not Stop It rained all day. The rain hit the hospital window again and again. The sky was gray. Everything felt sad and heavy. Elena sat beside her mother’s hospital bed. She held her mother’s hand. Her mother’s hand was very thin. Too thin. It used to be warm and strong. Now it was weak. Her mother breathed slowly. Up and down. Up and down. Each breath sounded hard. Elena’s eyes were red. She had been crying. She tried to cry quietly so no one would notice. She did not want people to feel sorry for her. She wanted help. But help cost money. “Mom,” Elena whispered. She touched her mother’s hair gently. “I’m here. I won’t leave you.” Her mother did not open her eyes. A nurse walked in. She looked tired too. “Elena,” the nurse said softly. “The doctor needs to speak with you.” Elena did not want to leave her mother’s side. But she knew she had to go. She stood up slowly. Her legs felt weak. She followed the nurse down the hallway. The doctor waited there. He looked serious, but kind. “Elena,” he said gently. “We have the new test results.” Elena’s hands shook. “Your mother is getting worse,” he said. “She needs treatment soon. Very soon.” Elena’s heart hurt. “How much will it cost?” she asked. The doctor looked sad. “About eighty thousand,” he said. Eighty thousand. The number felt like a punch. It was too big. Too far. Too impossible. “I don’t have that…” Elena whispered. Her voice broke. “I sold our house. I sold my books. I sold mom’s jewelry. I have nothing left.” “I know,” the doctor said softly. “You’ve tried everything.” Elena covered her mouth so she wouldn’t scream. Her chest shook. The doctor placed a hand on her shoulder. “You have a little time,” he said. “But not much.” Elena nodded. She went back to the room and sat beside her mother again. She held her mother’s hand tightly. Her tears fell. Soft at first. Then harder. “Mom,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to do.” Her mother did not answer. Later, Elena went to get water. Her eyes were blurry. “Elena?” someone called. Elena turned. It was Mrs. Rowan, an older woman who visited the hospital often. She had known Elena since she was a child. “What’s wrong, dear?” Mrs. Rowan asked. Elena couldn’t speak. She just cried. Mrs. Rowan hugged her. She didn’t need words. After a moment, Mrs. Rowan spoke quietly. “There is someone who can help you,” she said. Elena looked up. “Who?” “Alexander Blackwood,” she said. Elena stared. “The billionaire?” Mrs. Rowan nodded slowly. “He has money. He has power,” she said. “He has helped people before. But…” She paused. “He never helps for free.” Elena shook her head. “I don’t want to owe someone like him.” Mrs. Rowan looked at her kindly, but sadly. “Sometimes, child, life gives no good choices. Only hard ones.” The hallway was silent. Elena thought of her mother. Her mother was everything. More important than fear. More important than pride. “What will he want?” Elena whispered. Mrs. Rowan shook her head. “I do not know.” Elena took a shaky breath. “Please,” she said. “Help me find him.” That evening, Elena stood in front of a huge glass building. It was tall and cold-looking. Blackwood Corporation. She felt small. Her jacket was old. Her shoes were worn. She took a deep breath and walked inside. The lobby was quiet and expensive-looking. A receptionist looked at her with sharp eyes. “I… I need to speak with Alexander Blackwood,” Elena said softly. “Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked. “No…” “Then you must leave.” Elena felt her heart fall. She turned to go. But then— A man walked past. Tall. Serious. Dark suit. Strong steps. Everyone moved out of his way. Elena knew. She didn’t know how. But she knew. She stepped forward. “Please… Mr. Blackwood!” He stopped. Slowly. He turned to look at her. His eyes were cold. Calm. Hard to read. “Yes?” he said. His voice was quiet, but strong. Elena’s hands shook. But she stood still. “My mother is dying,” she said. “I need help. I was told… you could help.” He looked at her. Not kindly. Not cruelly. Just studying. “And what will you give in return?” he asked. Elena swallowed. “I have nothing,” she said. Silence. Then he spoke again. “That’s not true.” He stepped closer. “You have something.” Elena’s voice was barely a whisper. “What?” His eyes didn’t move away from hers. “Your life.” Outside, the rain began to fall harder. Like the sky was crying for her. End of Chapter One - A