THE PRICE OF US

CHAPTER FOUR

With her heart thumping in her ears, Silvia's fingers lingered over the pen.

Like a guillotine, the contract hung between them, ready to cut off her last remnant of autonomy.

Ralph's eyes were on her, waiting, watching. She hated him because he knew he had already won. She made herself look into his eyes.

"This is blackmail," she muttered.

Ralph's face was still unreadable.

"It's a business arrangement." Her throat constricted.

"No, a business arrangement is a situation in which both parties have options."

A slow, deliberate smirk formed on his lips. "Silvia, you do have a choice." He leaned back into his chair and tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair. "Just like that, you can leave this place." Her stomach churned.

"And allow my mom die?"

He remained smirking. "I didn't say that. But let's face it, Silvia, she won't receive the necessary care if this deal doesn't happen. Both you and I are aware of that. Silvia balled her fists. She wanted to fight back, to call him a monster, and throw the contract in his face with all of her strength. However, what would that achieve? Nothing. She had just been moved into checkmate by Ralph, who was in control of the game. She required an alternative. Her features were schooled into a neutral position as she straightened. She questioned, "And what do you get out of this?" "Why me?" Ralph's eyes flickered. Interest.

"Ah," he thought, "finally asking the right questions.”

He got up to his feet and walked around the desk. He moved slowly and purposefully, as though he relished the control he had over her.

"You're not the same, Silvia." He halted next to her chair, looming, and she tensed. "That's not a response."

With ease, he stated, "It's the only one you'll get." "I need a wife." You're in need of cash. Both of us benefit. She practically burst out laughing.

"Winning?" She spoke in a disbelieving tone. "You call this winning?" I asked.

She could feel the warmth of his presence as his fingers touched the back of her chair. "Which would you rather lose?" Silvia forced herself to remain motionless and swallowed hard.

"And what happens if I don't?"

Ralph c****d his head in contemplation. "Then you leave, and I inform the hospital that you will not be paying the debt."

Then he shrugged. "Your mom's treatment comes to an end. And in the end..." He left the words hanging, incomplete and cruel in their simplicity. She gasped. "You truly have no compassion." He did not refute it. Silvia bit her fingernails into her palms as she balled her fists under the desk. Some other way had to exist. A means of getting out of his trap. But she had been looking for weeks, contacting all the hospitals and anyone who could be of assistance. Nobody could. Ralph knew it, too. She said sourly, "You want me to sign myself over to you," to be your spouse. And what precisely does that mean?

A marriage license and a few public appearances. "In private?" He traced the contract's edge with a finger. "I guess it depends on you." She trembled.

"And if I don't," “You won't," he said with ease. Silvia felt nauseous. "And if I do?" Ralph's face was dangerously close to hers as he leaned down. "Then you make things difficult," he muttered. "And I dislike being difficult." She was chilled by the implied threat. She sat up suddenly, jerking back from her seat. "I require time." "You have five minutes." She felt her chest constricted. "That's insufficient—"

"Then say no." He pointed at the door. "Go now, Silvia. If you truly want that.” Her hands shaking at her sides, she turned. It would only take one step. Step away from him, one step out of this office. Where would she go, though, to a bank account that is empty? Her mother was unconscious in a hospital room, and time was running out. To a world that had already abandoned her. She closed her eyes tightly. She would live to regret it if she left now. However, if she stayed... She felt her skin crawl. She had carefully avoided men like him for years, strong, domineering men who believed they could purchase and possess people like property. And yet, here she was, on the verge of breaking down. She looked at the contract once more, taking in the words. Six months. That's what it stated.

A financial settlement, an unbreakable NDA, and a six-month marriage. She would be his property for six months if she signed. Her mother would survive if she signed. With a trembling exhale, Silvia picked up the pen. Her hand, however, froze before she could press it to the paper. She raised her eyes once more to Ralph.

"One condition," she stated, her voice more steady than her emotions. He furrowed his forehead.

" Excuse me?" "You stated that this is a business arrangement," she remarked, holding the pen firmly.

"Then I'd like my own terms." Ralph leaned forward, curious. "I am paying attention." Even though Silvia's heart was pounding violently, she kept her fear from him. "No physical intimacy," she stated firmly. "This will only exist in name.”

His grin dimmed a bit, giving way to an unintelligible expression. "You think I'll marry a woman who won't sleep in my bed?" "That's precisely what I anticipate." There was a tense silence between them. Ralph then shook his head and laughed. "Silvia, you truly are something." "Is that a yes or a no?" His eyes were calculating and keen as he studied her. She was shocked when he grabbed the contract, picked up his pen, and scrawled something at the bottom. He returned it to her by sliding it. After a moment of hesitation, she looked down. An extra clause that read, "No physical relations unless mutually agreed upon," was written in bold. She gasped. He concurred. Ralph whispered, "You drive a hard bargain," as he observed her response.

"But I am capable of being reasonable.”

Silvia felt nauseous. That, in some way, increased her fear. She grabbed for the pen again, her fingers shaking. That was it. She was his after just one signature. Silvia took a deep breath and braced herself. Then, with a last, tremulous breath... She gave her signature.

Slowly, but triumphantly, Ralph grinned.

"Mrs. Mundo, welcome to my world.”