Love Beyond Bargain

nvelope marked "Binghamton University" right in her palms was open, revealing a stark reality: the tuition fees . It was the final semester. O

ldings, and occasionally babysitting just to be able to get enough money for her fe

edged her daughter's struggles. It was as though Lila's education, her dreams, didn't matter to her at all. Lila didn't know why she ke

ge." Were the kind of things

s out on your own. " Her mother ' s words echoed in her mind,

ng the total amount due. If she didn't find a way to come up

to herself, I'm

t. But dreams felt like they were slipping through her fingers, just like the money she needed to hold onto that future. Lila wasn't

ivia had always been bold, always willing to take risk

sually met after school and part time work. Olivia was already there, sipping fro

self from sleep, you look very worried. Olivia said with a

ss from her. She hadn't slept much; t

nking," Lila replied, shifti

uddenly dropping to a furtive tone. "You know, I've got a

trigued despite herself. "

a place where you can meet with different people of high caliber, and just a one night stan

he idea away. "You want me to... what? Sleep with a

s a sickness

unds wild, but it's an opportunity. One night, Lila. One night, and you have your money with you,

independent, never relying on anyone, but this... this felt like something

la' s hesitation. "Just meet him. Get the money. No one will know. It's your chance, Lila. You've

situation was appalling . She could keep grinding away with a dozen jobs, but

future. Could one night be worth it? "I'll think about it,"

you'd come around. I'm telling you, this will solve

he decision haunted her as she walked through the cold New York s

ould be fixed. She would pay off the bill, finish her d

torturing feeling that whatever decisi

ection her story will take. She's caught between her desire for ed

a successful businessman, but as the man who could get anything he wanted. Tall, standing at 6'5" with a broad, muscular builds, he had the kind of aura that made people take notice. His jet-blac

ech company that had expanded into real estate, hospitality, and even private investments. His wealth was evident in the tailored suits he wore, the slee

in local cafes, always willing to lend a hand to a friend or support a good cause. Despite his vast wealth, he never lost his

adow of himself . His best friend, Willi

ugh circumstances that only the streets of New York could provide. Williams, a tall and athletic man with a warm smile and a calm demeanor,

n with Emil

p a picture of romance and shared dreams. She had been beautiful, charismatic, and kind-every

am had come home early from a b

that the only surprise waiting for him was the devastating sight of her in the arms

oment of weakness-it was real. She had been seeing someone else behind his back, and the pain hit him like a physical bl

t and shame. She had tried to explain, to apologize, but it was too late. The betrayal had cut too deep through his he

to distract himself from the heartbreak. But the emptiness remained. Emily was g

success, his money-it all felt meaningless without Emily by his side. He had always been in control of everything-his career, his i

n Williams

epping into his friend's office with a concerned look on his face. "Man, you ne

ue. He hadn't been sleeping, hadn't been eating

avy with emotion. "I can't getover this, Will. I am trying s

. "You're the same guy who built an empire from nothing. You don't n

ything... at least for one night." Williams r

t at the skyline of New York City. His mind was racing,

attached. No emotions. I just need something... different. I d

it. You're not the first guy to want to escape like this. But,

tter smile on his lips. "I don't care Wil

el, a luxurious one that could offer anonymity and indulgence. He would find someone, a woman, who wouldn't a

to forget the incident fo