lothes as she slammed her locker shut. Ano

ere numb. And still, the w

phone - cracked scr

ed call

sage - Dr

. The hospital needs a payment by Friday, or

rt sank

d R22 to her name and a free

he was tired of crying in stock rooms. Tir

d at her phone, and whispered to

n a voice

Lei

ped and

stood by the door. Expensive

she said, narr

ame is Taylor. Mr. Kane w

inked.

ane. CEO of

"I think you've got the wron

le. He held out a

l you that it comes with a million-rand o

-

n her even smaller flat, rea

ldn't believe

I'll cover all your brother's medical costs a

fill the role of a wife

otional involvement

tract. Not

me to my office b

old, typed name at the

-

't sleep t

g in the dark, thoughts

? Why now? What kind of person of

l photo on her nightstand - her broth

she

d no c

-

lobal. Security tried to stop her until she showed the letter. Then the

nd a sleek desk, unread

tall, dark-haired, cold as stone. But in person, the

didn't smile. He sim

," Ava replied. "I

nodded o

e

is the contract. Legal. Binding. Ev

lowance. Strict rules. No falling in love. No touching unless i

up. "This

elp. I get a wife to silence the press a

d at him.

perate. Because you have no ties. And beca

th anger and shame.

ree jobs. Paid your brother's bills alone. You don't drink. You

"You're d

't flinch. "An

le

hate

cancer in her br

-

side in the hospital. He was asleep, IV lin

ed, "I'm going to fix this. I

a kiss to

ulled out

mber at the botto

t," she sa

er's voice was calm. "Goo

-

Hall, wearing a simple white dress provided by Kan

er in a black suit, cold

rs. Just a judge, a pen, and t

ander Kane, t

d

e was fi

a Leigh, take A

she wh

meras. A sign

hat... she

she bar

she couldn'

g onto her finger, Ava felt somet

fe

re

goodbye to the lif

ty buzzing softly through her cracked window. She held

r life com

oat. Late-night shifts. Cold meals

A billionaire with

ast summer, running through the garden with a super

hispered, "w

Only silenc

-

ext morning, Dr. Hens

ently, "but you need to make a payment. Tomor

That was a d

holding back tear

uilding feeling like he

-

n front of the massive gl

e same chair again acr

once. "You've mad

ed. "I'l

contract toward

up the pen. The ink felt heavier

Friday. You'll receive a wardrobe

was

thank you. N

Like any othe

t it

s her

-

y cam

fa

ll room. There were no flowers. No guests. Just a tab

her like a statue. Perfect

even loo

cleared

ander Kane, t

he int

a Leigh, take A

she wh

r finger. A flash of ca

was

ere ma

of that cold room, Ava

ve I ju