Contracted But Fall In Love With the Billionaire's Stepson

Episode4

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Juliet's Point of viewOn

my arrival at the London Dockland hospital, I walked very fast through the door and quickly approached one of the nurses I met on my way; she was in her normal top and blue jeans, but I'd seen her the first day I rushed my mom there; I guess she's off duty."Nurse, I'm Juliet Jones; my mother is here for a kidney surgery. We came here together the day before yesterday. Please, where is the cashier's office so that I can pay for it?" I questioned in a low tone; I was filled with excitement and so anxious on the spot."Wait, you are Miss Juliet Jones?" She asked in a low and suspicious tone,"Yes, why did you ask?" I questioned in a tense mood, and my eyes widened as I awaited her response. I don't want to think of bad turns."Doctor Frank has been trying to reach you, and I think..." I cut her words short, "You think what? Where is it?" I asked her immediately, in a haste to hear whatever she's about to convey."Take it easy; let's go to his office together before you make payment." She said in a low tone, and I can see she finally persuaded me, as I followed behind her to Doctor Frank's office.As we were going, we stumbled on Doctor Frank along the way. Juliet, you are here?" He looks so shocked to see me; I guess he never expected me to make it with the money on time."What are you sounding discouraged about, Doctor? What's going on? Where the heck is my mom?" I inquired harshly.He tapped the nurse to go back to her post, and then he slowly walked closer to me, with his face etched with confusion."Juliet, you see, I love the fact that you stood by your mother during her adversities; she will forever be grateful, but I like to..." He spoke gently before I paused him again."Cut the crap; I'm no kid, so stop speaking in tongues. Where the heck is my mom?" I asked and continued, "Don't f*****g waste any time; I have the complete money now, so go on with the surgery and make sure she's safe." I declared and took out my phone, trying to open the Monument Bank app to get ready for the payment."We lost her, Juliet." He spoke sternly, but I pretended not to hear what he just said. "Show me where to make the payment. Where is the donor? I guess he or she is still here to receive the money." I asked, ignoring his last statement."Your mother died, Juliet; we tried our possible best." He declared sharply, and this time his words send a quick shower throughout my whole body.I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of my chest. My eyes widened in shock, and I stumbled backward, as if trying to escape the painful truth. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stifle a sob."What?" I stuttered, my voice trembling. "No, that can't be... Mom was fine; I just talked to her yesterday..." My words trailed off, replaced by uncontrollable weeping.I collapsed into a nearby chair, overcome with grief, as Doctor Frank's words echoed in my mind like a cruel mantra: "I'm so sorry... Your mother didn't make it...""Ahh! No, no, it can't be. Take me to my mom right now." I demanded, with tears streaming down my eyes, while I kept on dragging his lab coat and the telescope from his neck full to the ground."I'm so sorry, Juliet; she gave up her ghost to rest." Doctor Frank said. After a few minutes, the hospital staff wheeled in the stretcher, and I felt my world crumbling around me. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing my mother's lifeless body. The sound of the wheels creaking, the rustle of the hospital sheets, and the antiseptic smell of the hospital all blended together to create a sense of surreal horror.I tried to turn away, but my eyes seemed glued to the stretcher. My mother's face was pale and still, her eyes closed as if in peaceful sleep. But I knew it was just an illusion. My mother was gone.A sob racked my body, and I stumbled forward, reaching out to touch my mother's hand. It was cold and stiff, but I held onto it tightly, as if trying to will life back into it."Why?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Why did you have to leave me?" She lay lifeless and couldn't give me any response."You need to give her a befitting burial, so sorry, Juliet." Doctor Frank said and left me rolling on the floor as they took my mother to the morgue.************After a week of soberness and unhappiness, I woke up on the 8th day to a message from Mr. George; it was as if he had been waiting for my mother to die; part of me felt like he had something to do with her death. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. The message on my phone seemed to burn with an inner fire, reminding me of the commitment I had made with that animal boss of mine. A commitment that now felt like a trap.The MARRIAGE CONTRACT. The wedding. It all felt so surreal, like a bad dream I couldn't wake up from. I had agreed to the arrangement to secure my family's financial problem, to ensure my mother's medical bills were paid. But now, with my mother gone, the whole thing felt pointless.And yet, I was bound by the contract. I had signed on the dotted line, promising to marry Mr. George Watson himself and not his son.A man I had never had feelings for, never had thoughts of having with him in my entire life, a man who was now expecting to marry me in just two days' time.Panic set in, threatening to overwhelm me. What was I going to do? I couldn't just go through with the wedding, not now. But I couldn't back out either, not without facing the consequences. The contract was clear: if she failed to fulfill my obligations, I would lose everything.I felt trapped, caught between a rock and a hard place. And with the wedding just two days away, I knew I had to make a decision, fast."Everything you need to wear on that day has been bought. I'll send my driver to get you tomorrow evening; be ready. Bye, love." The last paragraph of the message got me so shocked.This is moving faster than a moving train; what is he going to do with me? Why is he so much in a rush to get me married to him? Why just two days after my mother's burial? Many questions remained unanswered in my mind.All of a sudden I was startled by the sudden knock on the door, and my heart skipped a beat as I went to door hole just to see Mark standing on my porch. How did he know where I lived? I hadn't told him, and I was certain I had kept my address private.But before I could ask him any questions, Mark flashed his charming smile and entered, "You must be surprised to see me, anyway as an investigative officer, I have my ways of getting information, remember?" He mused thoughtfully in a low tone.He stepped inside, his eyes scanning my living room as if searching for clues. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that Mark was more than just a handsome stranger - he was a skilled investigator with a keen mind."What are you doing here, Mark?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil inside.Mark's expression turned serious, and he said, "I know about the LOAN you came to the bank for, how's your mother now?" He asked, and faced my head downward, I know he must I've missed her death since shes isn't a celebrity mother."She's dead." I spoke sternly, and he remained silence, embarrassed for asking me."I'm so sorry for your lose." He said, I just came to say hello, and know where you stay.At that moment the atmosphere changed and we only talk a little about school, and where I work, then it got bored and he stood up to say his goodbye.I'm certain he has something to tell me, but he became uneasy after hearing my mother's death, he left without saying anything, and promised to come back.I hope he finds me here again?