DO YOU MEAN RIGHT NOW?!

SALEM’S POV

I stood there for five minutes after he walked away, wondering what on earth had just happened.

Did my boss just propose that I marry him?

Everything was just so confusing.

I ran a hand through my hair before walking back down the hall to my dad’s hospital room.

I couldn’t bring myself to walk in just yet because Mum was crying again, holding my father’s limp hand in her shaky ones.

“I don’t want to leave, honey, but this is what is best…”

Looking at the state my father was in made my heart squeeze painfully, and tears burned at my eyelids once again.

He looked weaker than I had ever seen him, and his closed eyes gave him a vulnerability that terrified me.

He was so pale.

I folded my arms, feeling my nails dig into my palms as I looked at the various wires and tubes connected to him from all angles.

The steady beeping of the machines filled the room, reminding me of how fragile his life had become.

I guess I hiccupped too loudly, because Mum jerked and turned to look at me.

She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at me with a shaky smile. “Come in, Salem. I was wondering where you were.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and quickly walked in to stand beside my father.

“D-Dad…” I said shakily, but there was no reply—just his closed eyes and the slow rise and fall of his chest, the only signs that he was still alive.

I turned to my mother. “He looks so weak.”

She nodded. “You see? This is why we have to sell the house.”

My boss’s proposition flashed through my mind again.

He was willing to pay for my dad’s treatment immediately, meaning we wouldn't have to sell the house.

I hadn't even been able to find a boyfriend since I broke up with Gabriel two years ago…

Mr. Atlas was handsome and wealthy, and even though he was a little bit—scratch that, even though he was extremely terrifying, there would be no harm in marrying him.

At least long enough until I could pay him back.

It wasn't like any of it was real anyway.

With that, my mind was made up.

“Mum, I have found a way to pay for Dad’s treatment immediately, and we don’t have to sell the house.”

She laughed bitterly. “This is not a joke, Salem.”

“I am serious.”

Her eyes widened. “What are you planning to do? Salem, three million is a lot of money. Salem, answer me!”

I took both her hands in mine and shook my head. “No, no, I promise you, Mum, it is not what you think.”

She still didn't look convinced. “Then how—”

I smiled at her. “I got a huge promotion at my office recently, and I took out a six-month advance payment… It should cover it.”

The words tasted bitter in my mouth.

But the thing was, I couldn't tell my mum that her daughter was about to get wifed up by the very boss I had complained about forever, or that I was essentially digging myself into three million dollars of debt.

Nope, I couldn't do that.

Never ever!

Her eyes were wide. “What kind of promotion pays so much?”

I shook my head. “Mum, I know what I am doing… I am not stupid; I wouldn't do anything to put myself in trouble.”

Lies!

I was about to make an absolutely wild decision that could definitely bite me in the ass, but right now, it didn't matter.

“Salem…”

“I can handle it, Mum. Trust me.”

My mother nodded. “You are a blessing, Salem,” she said, pulling me into a hug.

I hugged her back. “Everything will be alright.”

I stayed with Mum for a while before stepping outside to talk to the doctor.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I thought Mr. Atlas had already left, but apparently he was still here, talking to the doctor.

I walked up to him on shaky legs, but he turned toward me before I even reached him.

He carried a calm aura around him that completely contrasted with how I felt inside. He was as cool as a cucumber, while I was totally freaking out.

I guess being a billionaire who could command the world with a snap of his fingers did that to a person.

I hated the smug smirk on his lips—it was the look of someone who always got what he wanted.

Even now, he was already certain he had won before I even reached him.

“I have already made arrangements with the doctor. Your father’s surgery will be done on the earliest available date.”

“…”

He snapped his fingers in front of my face. “Hello, earth to Miss Grant?”

I swallowed hard. “How… h-how were you so sure that I would say yes?”

He folded his arms. “Are you saying no, Miss Grant?”

“I’m not, but—”

“I guess that is settled then,” he said simply.

Someone please pinch me.

Staring at this man, I was beginning to reconsider my decision, seriously wondering if he was a lunatic.

“With all due respect, Mr. Knight, there is still so much that we have to talk about. All of this is so sudden, and—”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him.

My eyes widened. “Where are we going?”

He looked at me with one eyebrow raised. “Have you not been keeping up with what we’ve been saying, Miss Grant?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I am going to make you my Mrs. Knight, of course,” he said, continuing to pull me along as he walked. He didn't even turn back to face me as he spoke.

My eyes grew as wide as saucers. I tugged back on my hand until we both came to a stop.

He turned to look at me, a muscle ticking impatiently in his jaw.

“What is it, Miss Grant?”

I swallowed hard. “Do you mean right now?!”