Chapter 5 - Out of options.

A L Y S S A

“I didn’t sign anything,” I rush to say. “It was just… a conversation. This was just motivation to get me to agree...”

"Agree to what?!" She waves the money in the air. “This is not just a conversation. This is blood money. I've heard things, Alyssa... the Valentinos are dangerous people... I don't want you anywhere near them!”

I drag my hands down my face as I stand to my feet. “I know how it sounds, okay? Believe me, I know. But they weren’t threatening me. They were... professional. Cold, but… polite. Like it was a business transaction.”

She stares at me like I’ve completely lost it. “Polite? Alyssa, they’re the Valentinos. Polite is just another weapon for people like them. What did they say? Tell me why they gave you $5000?”

The words feel heavier when I have to form them aloud.

“They want me to marry their son.”

Carmen blinks. Once. Twice. “I’m sorry.... what?”

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

Her mouth falls open. She looks at me like I’ve confessed to joining a cult. “You’re not serious.”

“They offered to pay off Mom’s medical bills. All of them. And they’ll fund her care permanently, till she gets better. Plus, I get a settlement when the contract’s done.”

She then places the money on the table, then she grabs a throw pillow and smacks me square in the shoulder.

"Hey!" I shout, staring back at her with shock.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?! You’re not going through with this! Alyssa, this is insane! This is how women end up in N*****x documentaries!” She says, and I let out a dry laugh, though it comes out closer to a choke.

“I told them I’d meet him this afternoon. That’s all. Just… meet him.”

She drops the pillow, staring at me like she’s trying to shake sense into me with her eyes alone. “So… you’re actually thinking about it?”

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

The silence between us is heavy, and for a moment, I watch as her features relax. Finally, Carmen exhales and sinks onto the couch beside me. Her fingers worry the edge of the pillow in her lap. “Okay. Okay. I’m not saying I like it. Because I don’t. This whole thing is shady as hell. But maybe…” she pauses, reluctantly, “…maybe this is your way out. I mean, $5,000 just for showing up? That’s not nothing.”

“I know,” I whisper.

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

“No. Not creepy. Just very… direct. Like they’d already decided everything before I even walked in the room.”

She frowns. “Did they say anything about what happens if you don’t...” she lowers her voice to almost a whisper, “...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 scrubs her hands over her face. “Jesus Christ help us.”

I stare at the check again. My stomach knots tighter every time my eyes land on it, like it’s a hook dragging me somewhere I can’t escape.

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

She doesn’t argue with me. She just watches me, her silence louder than words.

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

Her eyes snap to mine. “Anything.”

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

Her mouth opens. “Alyssa...”

“I’m serious,” I cut her off. “I don’t care what it looks like. You take the money, you take my laptop, and you tell them everything.”

Her jaw tightens, but she reaches over and grabs my hand. Her grip is warm, firm, steady in a way I don’t feel. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I won’t let it.”

I want to believe her. God, I want to.

My eyes burn, tears threatening, but I force them back down. I can’t cry. Not yet.

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

“You’re not alone, I'm right here, okay?” Carmen says. Her voice is fierce now, unwavering. “You’re not doing this without backup.”

I nod. It helps. Not much, but enough to take a full breath.

“I have to get ready,” I murmur.

She looks me up and down, unimpressed. “I hope you're thinking of changing.”

A laugh escapes me, brittle but real. “I think I look fine. If he hates it, that’s his problem.”

“You know,” she 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,” I say. “I just want him to sign the damn papers and leave me alone.”

Carmen gives me a long, meaningful look. “That’s not how this ends, Alyssa. If you get a child, you're stuck with him forever...”

I glance away. I know she’s right. Somewhere deep down, I know.

But I’m already in it.

And the clock is ticking.