The Debt I couldn't Escape

The landlord's voice echoed in her head like a bad dream.

"Three days , Jessica . If you don't pay, you and your

junk are out".

Jessica tightened her grip on the cracked envelope in her hand . Another bill. Another threat. Another reminder that no matter how many shifts she worked or how many meals she skipped, she was never going to be enough. The flourescent lights of the diner buzzed above her. She stood behind the counter in her worn uniform, her apron stained with coffee and stress. A customer snapped his fingers impatiently, but her vision blurred. Her finger trembled.

"Jess?"

She blinked, turning to seer her manager, Marta, standing by the kitchen doorway with a frown.

"You Okay?"

Jessica forced a smile. " Year just a little tired".

"Take a break. You look like you're about to pass out".

she didn't need a break - she needed a miracle.

By the time her shift ended, the sky was a dull gray, and the rain matched her mood . She wrapped her hoodie tighter around herself as she stepped out the cold. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Mom - 3 missed calls

She hesitated , then answered on the fourth ring.

"Jessica," her mother's voice came through, weak and raspy. "The clinic called. They need payment before they can refill my prescription."

Jessica swallowed hard. "I'ill figure something out.

Don't worry.

"Honey , I didn't want you doing anything desparate"

But she already had.

Later that night, Jessica sat at the edge of her bed in her one - room flat, staring at a single business card.

Romeo Blackwood

Blackwood Group Holdings

CEO

She'd met him once. He had walked into the dinner with power clinging to him like a tailored suit. Cold, Commanding. Dangerous.

She remembered the way his eyes, stormy and unreadable had lingered on her for a second too long. She thought it was just a coincidence. But the next day , the card had opened on the counter. No message. No explanation. Just an invitation.

She had ignored it . Until now.

Her fingers hovered over the number on the card. Her

heart pounded.

"Don't be stupid", She whispered to herself. "You don't even know what he wants".

But she had nothing left to lose.

She dialed.

One ring. Two.

"Jessica". His voice was smooth and sharp like a glass. "I was wondering when you'd call".

"I ..... I need help".

A pause. Then:

"Good . Because i have a proposition for you ".

Her chest tightened. "What kind of proposition?"

"One that comes with a contract. One year . Marriage".

She almost dropped the phone.

"What?"

" You marry me, pretend to be the doting wife in front of the world. In exchange, I'll cover your debt, your mother's medication, everything".

Her pulse raced. "Why?"

Because i need a wife. And you need a way out".

Silence stretched between them.

"You're insane", She whispered.

"Maybe", he said. But if you're still listening .... you're desperate enough to consider it".

Jessica looked around her tiny, dark apartment. A the overdue bills. At her mother's fading photo. Maybe he was right. And maybe this was the worst decision she'd ever make. But she said it anyway

"Where do we start?"

She stared at the cracked ceiling of her tiny department, the same one that had been leaking for months. The wallpaper had peeled back in the corners, revealing the stained cement beneath. She hadn't bothered to fix it. What was the point? She could barely afford to eat.

The silence in the room pressed down on her like a weight. Jessica's gaze drifted back to the card. Black. Sleek. Clean. Just like him.

"This is crazy"

But what wasn't crazy anymore? The world had already broken every rule. She had applied for over thirty jobs in the past two months. Nobody called back. The one that did offered pennies and 12-hour shifts.

And now her mother's pills were being with held. Her hands trembled as she picked up her phone again. She stared at the number.

One year. No love. Just a contract.

Her heart raced. She wasn't even sure if she was scared of him....or scared of what saying yes would make her become.

But she tapped the number anyway.

It rang. Once. Twice.

"Jessica".

His voice was the same - smooth, dangerous, controlled.

"I -" she paused, swallowing back her pride . "I've thought about your offer ."

A pause. "And?"

She hesitated, gripping the phone like it could anchor her to something.

"I'll do it "

He didn't sound suprised. Not even a little.

"Good ", he said. Then we begin tommorow."

Click.