Willing to do anything to save her sick mother, Mulan Lexington returns to the family that once despised her, only to be met with a cruel demand get married within a week, or receive nothing. Just when she resolves to follow through, she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, shattering the last bit of trust she had left. Drowning her sorrows in a bar, she crosses paths with Kaiser Walker, a crippled man nursing his own heartbreak. Desperate for an escape and fueled by revenge, they strike a deal-a six-month contract marriage with no expectations. But Mulan has no idea that Kaiser Walker is merely a name-her husband is actually Cross Voss, the ruthless billionaire CEO and heir to the country's largest conglomerate. As their contract ticks down, lines blur, hearts falter, and hidden truths begin to surface. Will Mulan walk away when she realizes the true identity of her husband? Or will Cross finally let someone past his icy walls before it's too late?
Chapter 1 001
Mulan's POV
Muttering incoherent words to myself, I continued to pace about on the fifth floor as my heart rammed against my chest in quick succession.
At this point, I felt like I was losing my mind.
The call from my mother's caretaker came in about half an hour ago but I have been unable to act on it.
Denver Smith, my boss, had refused to grant me an audience despite knowing how urgent my meeting with him was.
Snapping my eyes shut, I pushed my hand into my hair and then began to tug on it.
"Mom, you just have to hang on, I will save you." I muttered, rubbing my hands together as tears rolled down my cheeks.
For a few years now, mother had been living with a tumor in her brain which kept increasing by the day.
All the money I had worked for had gone for our basic needs and her medicine which was expensive leaving no one for her surgery.
When Eliana called earlier, I knew there was a problem but I never thought it would be so serious that mother had to be rushed to the hospital.
Just when I was about to barge Denver's office and confront him, the door creaked open.
He must have seen me in the hallway and wanted to shut the door on my face but I was faster than he was.
With my foot acting as a wedge, I cried, "Please sir I beg of you, pay me the money you owe."
"Go back to work, we will sort your payment by the weekend." He replied in his usual snobbish manner.
This had always been his response each time I requested for my three months arrears payment.
"My mom is currently at the hospital, please don't delay this any further." I cried. "Her life is at stake here, please." I added, hoping he was going to be moved with my pleas.
After what seemed like forever, he let me in, shutting the door for privacy.
"Please..." The rest of my words went down my throat when his hand brushed against my breast.
Taking a step backwards, I sent my teeth into my lips in a bid to hold back the anger threatening to tear through me.
"We both are going to enjoy ourselves but you will get the greater benefit." He smacked his lips.
Counting on his fingers now, he said, "You will get a double payment and mouth watering tip."
Disgusted with the man standing in front of me, I let out a low sigh, clenching my fist by my side as my eyes burned with anger.
"What if I refuse?" I snapped, my voice firm and unwavering.
"Then you will have to wait until the weekend." He huffed, going around the table.
The moment he fell on his seat, I grabbed the ball point pen on his table and then lunged towards him, grabbing his shirt.
"What did you just say?"
The terror in his eyes made a satisfying smile spread across my lips but at the same time, I was careful not to push my hand further to prevent an accident.
"Fine, I will pay you all of your money." He yelled in fright only then did I release him.
Thinking he was smart, he tried to double cross me but I was quick to snatch the pen knife he had pulled out.
With the tip of the knife right on his throat, I asked, "Where is the money?"
When he wouldn't give me a response, I pushed the tip of the knife into his skin causing blood to gush out.
"In the drawer." He yelled in fright.
Satisfied with the amount of fear I had instilled in him, I let go of him and at once rushed towards the drawer.
Pulling out three fat envelopes, I took one last look at him only to dash out the next second before he did something drastic to me.
Luckily for me, a taxi had just dropped someone off and at once I jumped in, giving him my destination and tossing some money at him.
On arrival at the hospital, I waddled to the reception and the moment I locked eyes with Eliana, she rushed to my side.
Her reddened eyes made my breathing hitch against my throat as only one question made round in my head.
Is mother alright?
"Where is my mother?" I managed to ask after a long and deafening silence.
"She has been moved to the normal ward, come with me." She led the way while I trailed after her, trying to stop my mind from making up scenarios.
"Thank goodness." I gasped when I finally got to see my mother.
Though she looked weak, I was more than grateful to see her alive.
Rushing to her side, I tried to pull her into a bear hug but the tubes connected to her wouldn't let me.
"I'm fine." She flashed me a smile but that was not enough to reassure me.
"She is not Mulan!" Eliana said from behind me and at once I turned to face her.
"Why is that?" Terrified even more, I added, "What did the doctor say?"
"She needs surgery, the medication won't work again." She sniffed and at once two large tears rolled down my eyes.
"Mulan dear, you don't need to worry about me. I promise I will be fine." Mother said in a sing-song voice but I could sense the pain emitting from it.
Grabbing her hand, I broke into uncontrollable tears as the fear of losing my mother dawned on me.
She was my only relative I could look up to, if anything happens to her, I wouldn't be able to survive it.
"Mom, we need help." I said all of a sudden, wiping my eyes with the back of my palm.
"We don't have anyone..." She was still speaking when I decided to cut in.
"Ethan Waston." I said through my teeth as I dug my nails into my palm in anger.