CHAPTER 4
1090 Words
LEXI POV
The moment I stepped out of the hospital, the thick scent of antiseptic finally faded, but the suffocation in my chest remained heavier than it had ever been. I pulled my phone from my pocket, staring at the screen like it had the answers I needed.
I had to result to calling, begging, pleading. I had done it before and only a few helped, but I had no choice. I had to try again.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed the first number.
"Hey, Lexi, I’m really sorry to hear about your dad," my high school friend said, sympathy thick in his voice. "But I’m not in a position to lend you any money right now."
I forced a tight-lipped smile, even though he couldn’t see me. "Thanks for your honesty," I muttered before ending the call.
It was better than a lie.
But one by one, the responses were the same: apologies, regret, excuses. Some sounded genuinely pained that they couldn’t help. Others were just looking for the fastest way to get off the call.
There was only one more person I could call.
The one person I never wanted to hear from again.
My mother.
Fifteen years. That’s how long it had been since I last spoke to her. From that day she walked out and left my father and me behind like we were nothing.
I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen. Every fiber of my being was against my decision, screaming at me not to do this.
But I had no choice.
The phone rang. Once. Twice. Then I heard her voice.
"Hello? "Who’s this?" She said, cold and detached.
I swallowed hard. "It’s me… Lexi."
A pause.
Then a clipped response. "Oh. Lexi. It’s been a long time."
"Mom, I need your help," I forced out my voice. Dad is in the hospital. He needs surgery, and I don’t have any means to provide the funds."
Silence crept through the line followed by a slow, calculated hum. "Hmm… interesting."
I gritted my teeth. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might crack my ribs. "Please, Mom. I have nowhere else to turn."
She exhaled dramatically, as if my desperation bored her. "Meet me at La Leisure Café. Six o’clock."
"Mom, please, can’t we just—"
"In person, Lexi. And know this...nothing in this world comes for free."
Then the line went silent.
I stared at the phone in disbelief. I should have known.
With Sarah, it was never simple.
***
La Leisure Café was all about luxury. The kind of place where people waste money on overpriced wine and pretend their lives were perfect.
The chandeliers dripped in their golden glow, lighting the marble floors. Waiters in crisp uniforms moved between tables with practiced grace and swiftness, balancing glasses of champagne and trays of caviar like they were handling something sacred.
She was already seated when I arrived, a glass of deep red swirling in her hand. She had barely changed...her black hair perfectly styled, her designer dress hugging her frame in a way that screamed luxury..
The moment she looked at me, her lips curled into a smirk. "Lexi, my girl. Still as desperate as ever, Huh?"
I was forced to swallow the burning bitterness in my throat.
"Mom, I didn’t come here to sweet talk. I just need your help."
"And I told you, nothing comes for free."
Sighing , I asked. "What do you want?"
She leaned forward, her nails tapping against the table. "I want you to marry a man I’ve chosen for you."
My brain was short-circuited. I blinked. "What?"
"You heard me." She sipped her wine slowly, savoring the horror on my face. "You will marry him." And within a short time, you will give him a child."
I felt the blood drain from my face. "You can’t be serious."
"But yes, I am." Her smirk widened, like she was enjoying my misery. "This is the only way I’ll help you." Otherwise..." She trailed off, but the message was clear.
If I refused, my father would die.
Cold sweat slid down my spine. My fingers dug into my thighs, hidden under the table.
"Why not Emily?" I rasped. "Why not make your precious daughter do this?"
A flicker of something crossed her face. Was it an annoyance?
"Because the man in question has a certain… reputation," she said, twirling her wine glass. Society believes he is incapable of performing marital duties. That's why he's unmarried at 31."
"You want to use me as a test subject." My voice shook, expressing my revulsion.
Mom, no...I couldn’t even call her my mother anymore, only smiled without giving a reply.
"You’re disgusting, Sarah." I spat in disdain.
"Suit yourself, dear." She stood, slipping her purse over her shoulder. "But if you walk out of here, know that you may never see your father alive again."
I shot up from my seat, my chair screeching against the marble. "You can’t do this to dad."
"Oh well!" She glanced at her nails as if this entire conversation was a waste of her time. "I hold all the cards, Lexi. You have no power here."
Tears stung the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
I have spent my entire life hating this woman. Swearing that I would never need her. And now, here I was trapped.
"Wait."
She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned back to me, amusement dancing in her cold eyes.
I hated myself for what I was about to do.
"I accept."
Her lips curled into a victorious smirk.
"Good girl. I knew you’d make the right choice."
I wanted to scream. I wanted to flip the table and throw her damn wine glass against the wall. But instead, I forced myself to stand still, my nails digging deeper into my palms.
She pulled out a small envelope from her purse and slid it across the table toward me.
"Everything you need is here, his name and detailed contact." She paused, then continued. "It'll be asked of you to sign a contract."
"Contract?" My voice was hoarse.
"Of course. "You didn’t think this was just a verbal agreement, did you?" She laughed lightly, like I was some naïve little girl. With that being said, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor, leaving me standing behind.
I looked down at the envelope, and picked it up with
my shaking hands.
It read. 'Julian Smith, CEO Smiths corporations.'
- Writer
