Chapter 3

The door to Alyssa’s apartment creaks open and slams shut behind her, the sound echoing in the small space like a gunshot.

She stands in the entryway, coat still on, purse still clutched to her chest like it might keep her grounded. Her legs feel like concrete, and her thoughts are stuck on a loop: This is real. It’s happening. I said yes—or maybe I didn’t. But I didn’t say no. And now it’s happening, she thinks.

Her phone buzzes in her pocket. Again.

Carmen.

Of course it’s her.

Alyssa exhales sharply, drops her bag on the couch, and finally picks up. “Hey.”

“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!”

Alyssa winces and pulls the phone slightly away from her ear. “Good morning to you, too.”

“It’s almost noon, Alyssa. You disappeared without saying anything. I texted you, like, eight times.”

“I had… an interview.”

“Since when do interviews make people go silent for hours?”

“It was... different.”

There’s a pause on the other end. Then Carmen’s voice lowers, all suspicion. “What do you mean different?”

“I’m home,” Alyssa says instead. “Just come over.”

. . . . 

Ten minutes later, Carmen bursts through the door with a windblown ponytail and fire in her hazel eyes. Carmen was beautiful, slim and fit with brown hair she liked to keep long. 

She tosses her keys on the kitchen counter. “Alright. Start talking. What the hell kind of interview keeps you off the grid all morning?”

Alyssa doesn’t say anything at first. She sits at the edge of the couch, staring at the check she’s placed on the coffee table.

Carmen follows her gaze, and freezes.

“What is that?” she demands.

Alyssa doesn’t answer.

Carmen walks over, snatches up the check, and reads it. Out loud. “Three thousand dollars. Three thousand?! From who?”

Alyssa looks up slowly. “The Valentinos.”

Carmen stares at her like she’s lost her mind. “As in the Valentinos?”

Alyssa nods once.

“Aren't they the richest family in the city?” Carmen’s voice climbs. “Are you kidding me right now? Alyssa, what the hell did you agree to?!”

“I didn’t sign anything,” Alyssa says quickly. “It was just… a conversation.”

Carmen waves the check in the air. “This is not just a conversation. This is blood money. This is you-get-your-body-found-in-a-river money.”

Alyssa drags her hands down her face. “I know how insane it sounds, okay? Believe me, I know. But they weren’t threatening me. They were professional. Cold, but... weirdly polite. Like it was a business transaction.”

Carmen drops onto the couch beside her, eyes wide. “What did they say?”

Alyssa hesitates. Saying it out loud makes it feel heavier. Realer.

“They want me to marry their son.”

Carmen blinks. “I’m sorry—what?”

“Two years. I marry their son, Stephano. Give them a child, and then I’m free.”

Carmen gapes at her. “You’re not serious.”

“They offered to pay off all of Mom’s medical bills. And fund her care permanently. And I get a settlement when the contract’s done.”

Carmen grabs a throw pillow and smacks Alyssa with it. “You’re not going through with this! Alyssa, this is insane! This is how women end up in documentaries!”

“I told them I’d meet him tonight,” Alyssa says quietly. “That’s all. Just... meet him.”

Carmen stares at her for a long time. “So... you’re actually thinking about it?”

“I’m thinking about my mom,” Alyssa says. “She’s dying, Carmen. And I’m out of options. This isn’t just about me anymore.”

Silence stretches between them.

Carmen leans back, still gripping the pillow. “Okay. Okay... Look. I’m not saying I like it. Because I don’t. This whole thing is shady as hell. But maybe... maybe this is your way out. I mean, $3,000 just for showing up? That’s not nothing.”

Alyssa nods slowly. “I know.”

“You said they weren’t creepy or anything?”

“No. Not at all. Just very... direct.”

“Did they say anything about what happens if you don’t—” Carmen lowers her voice. “—get pregnant?”

“They said I’d still be let go. But Mom’s trust wouldn’t be extended.”

“So it’s baby or bust.”

“Basically.”

Carmen runs her hands through her hair. “Lord, have mercy.”

Alyssa looks down at the check again. Her stomach knots tighter every time she sees it.

“I feel like I’ve already stepped into something I can’t back out of.”

Carmen doesn’t respond. She just watches her.

“I need you to do something for me,” Alyssa says, turning toward her.

“Anything.”

“If something happens to me—if I disappear, or you don’t hear from me... You go to the police.”

Carmen’s expression sharpens. “Alyssa—”

“I’m serious,” she cuts in. “I don’t care what it looks like. You take this check, you take my laptop, and you tell them everything.”

Carmen reaches out and grabs her hand. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I won’t let it.”

Alyssa’s eyes burn, but she pushes the feeling down.

“This is crazy,” she whispers. “I can’t believe I’m actually going through with this.”

Carmen squeezes her hand. “You’re not alone. You’re not doing this without backup.”

Alyssa nods. It helps. Not much, but enough to breathe.

“I have to get ready,” she says.

Carmen looks at her, skeptical. “Are you really going to wear that same blazer?”

Alyssa lets out a dry laugh. “Why not? If he hates it, it’s his problem.”

“You know,” Carmen mutters, standing, “if he turns out to be hot, I’m going to be really conflicted about this.”

“I don’t care what he looks like,” Alyssa says. “I just want him to sign the damn papers and leave me alone.”

Carmen gives her a long look. “That’s not how this ends, Alyssa.”

Alyssa looks away. She knows that. Somewhere, deep down, she knows.

But she’s already in it now.

And the clock is ticking.